Entrepreneurship continues to be a defining focus for students at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business who are looking to transform ideas into impactful ventures. Students recently had the opportunity to hear from Carter Fowler, co-founder and CEO of Totem, who shared his journey of building a product designed for music festival culture.
Totem is a device created for festival-goers who want to stay connected with friends in loud, crowded environments where cell service is limited. The device functions as a cell-free, GPS-free, and WiFi-free compass that allows groups to “vibe” and locate one another, making the experience more immersive and less stressful. What began as a simple idea rooted in solving a real problem, evolved into a product now used by thousands.
Carter’s early breakthrough came from a social media post. With only a few hundred followers at the time, the video unexpectedly went viral, rapidly expanding Totem’s visibility. This growth led to meaningful opportunities, including showcasing the product at SXSW in the Startup Village, where international investors began expressing interest in supporting and scaling Totem further.
Despite the momentum, Carter was candid about the emotional reality of entrepreneurship. He shared his experience with imposter syndrome, those moments of self-doubt that often accompany success and visibility. Carter explained that overcoming this mindset required a shift in perspective: embracing confidence, trusting the process, and, as he describes it, having “a little delusion” in believing wholeheartedly in your idea.
His message to students was clear: innovation requires both vision and resilience. Progress will come with pressure, uncertainty and risk, but maintaining belief in your work is essential.
Today, Totem continues to grow, helping festival-goers reconnect with what matters most to them: shared experience, music and community. We’re grateful for Carter’s willingness to give our students a glimpse into the life of an entrepreneur – from zero to 200,000 and counting.
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