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January 20, 2006
Tribal tycoon
Move over, Donald Trump; America's favorite 'Survivor' is building his own business empire -- one where coat and tie are optional ...
By Dana Knight
dana.knight@indystar.com
Rupert Boneham doesn't pass the dress code of corporate America.
Business casual: Rupert Boneham has started his own company, RFB Enterprises, with help from the $1 million prize he won on "Survivor." "I used to be the guy swinging the hammer," he said. "Now I'm the business guy." - Alan Petersime / The Star
RUPERT'S SURVIVAL SKILLS
Tips from Rupert Boneham on surviving business (learned from his time on reality TV's "Survivor"):
1. Don't try to dominate and control the outcome of the game.
2. Lead by encouraging others to succeed.
3. Make sure your team is working toward common goals.
4. Be honest and fair in your dealings and you will get clients for life.
5. If you can help others be productive and increase their worth, it will increase your worth.
6. It never hurts to be the nice guy.
RFB ENTERPRISES
• Located: 86th Street and College Avenue.
• Employees: 15.
• What: A firm dedicated to Rupert Boneham's promotional and marketing appearances and speaking engagements.
• Subsidiaries: Rupert Boneham Real Estate Development: commercial office real estate and brokerage firm; Tournament Towers: production company involved in sports camera crews and carpentry for special events; RFB Marketing: soon-to-be formed marketing company.
•Not-for-profit: Rupert's Kids, an organization that helps troubled youths and provides affordable housing for the poor.
RUPERT FREDERICK BONEHAM
• Age: 41.
• Family: Wife Laura; daughter Raya Felice, 6.
• Born: In Detroit, but raised in Indiana. Graduated from Haworth High School in Kokomo.
• Job: President and chief executive of RFB Enterprises.
• What he's known for: Finished eighth on "Survivor: Pearl Islands" in 2003. Was awarded $1 million as the winner of "Survivor: America's Tribal Council" in 2004 after more than 34 million people voted him their favorite.
• Previous careers: Gravedigger, bartender, driver for camera trucks during the college football season.
• Hobbies: Scuba diving, coin collecting, camping, racquetball.
• Passion: Helping troubled youths with his not-for-profit Rupert's Kids.
... For every speaking engagement, he pulls in $10,000. He did more than 200 of those in 2005. For promotional gigs, the price can go even higher.
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