Trevor Titley – Entrepreneur humanizing business transactions and helping others
Trevor Titley (U of Buffalo ’12) found success building award-winning companies that facilitate business networking for global freight forwarders, and a separate company that offers cost-effective ticketing for music venues, festivals and events nationwide. Along the way he’s never lost sight of his obligation to give back to help others.
Pioneering “speed dating” for companies
Trevor is the founder and CEO of 5 Star Logistics Network. They specialize in helping cargo and freight forwarding companies grow their businesses by networking on a global level.
The company uses a unique 5-star rating system, where companies in the network rate their transactions with other businesses, allowing ongoing peer-review and endorsement among the members.
To foster face-to-face business relationships, 5-SLN hosts international conferences in Asia and Europe to help customers find mutually beneficial business partnerships. Trevor said, “it’s like speed dating for businesses.”
Humanizing the ticketing industry
In 2016, Trevor launched The Ticketing Co. as an event and fan friendly alternative to the big ticket platforms.
While the big ticketing platforms dominate the major artists and venues, Trevor wanted to offer an alternative for independent venues. Trevor said, “we wanted to work with the independents who don’t want corporate ties… people throwing their own festivals, fan clubs and groups like that. That’s really where we made a difference and grew our base.”
Trevor said their hands-on approach resonates with the smaller venues, “We’ve grown as a company because we offer a more human approach for our customers. We help them with ideas for marketing. We have conversation with the people on our platform, and they offer us constructive criticism. They don’t have to submit a ticket and wait for a reply; they can talk directly to our experts.”
The Ticketing Co. was named the #1 business in the University of Buffalo’s Fast 46 competition in 2024 for its exceptional revenue and growth. The company is experiencing 40% year on year growth, and is processing over $1 million per month in ticket sales.
Passionate about giving back
Trevor always thinks about how business success can translate to avenues of philanthropy. He said if I’m starting a company, “I ask myself, ‘what can I do from day one to help others.’”
“That’s been ingrained into me from the time I was a child. My father would take me to impoverished places across the world. It gave me a real appreciation for what I have, and a genuine desire to give back.”
Trevor established the Good Looks Foundation, a non-profit 501c, primarily funded by Trevor’s companies. The foundation built four schools in Cambodia and manage nine in total. They work with other NGO’s to provide clean water, and provide food security. The organization also funds teacher training, school supplies, and provides scholarships.
Through their position in the ticketing community, the foundation offered free services to make events safer, including life-saving training services and supplies for event staff like Narcan training. Trevor said, “We’ve had three lives saved from overdose that we know of.”
Pilam was a “happy mistake”
Asked why he joined Pilam, Trevor said, “I had no intention of joining a fraternity. The honest answer is that my roommate was a legacy. But after attending events and getting introduced to brothers, I realized that Pilam wasn’t the ‘Animal House’ perception that I had of fraternities. They were a great group of people, advisors, role models, and friends.
“Pilam has been influential in my personal and business development. I’m reflective about how much I grew as a person, and a lot of that was from Pilam. It was one of those “happy mistakes’ that I have been bearing the fruits from for over 15 years. Many of my best friends today are Pilam brothers.”
Recently married (with two adopted dogs), Trevor is seeking some work-life balance in his hectic schedule. But in spite of his full schedule and limited time, Trevor volunteers for Pilam as an “alumni connector” and advisor to help the chapter through difficult times.