Updated: December 9, 2012 6:12AM

OAK BROOK — John Lizzadro, a 2010 Hinsdale Central graduate from Oak Brook who is now a junior at DePaul University, launched an online business in July, www.Norkel.com, to give college students, and anyone else interested, the opportunity to buy, sell, and trade items. Lizzadro believes there is a market open for a venue allowing college students to make transactions to buy and sell various items right on campus. The focus for now is at DePaul, although the Norkel website has more than 150 colleges and universities, nationwide, listed.

Q. Why did you decide at this time to start your business?

A. I really think there’s a need for something like this, and I waited about six months to see if someone would do something. The initial idea was textbooks, but it really can be anything.

Q. What did it take to get started?

A. I’m a business management major, so this really is a great experience for me. I’m learning so much about starting a company by actually having to do things, such as filling out the tax forms. I put in $5,000 to get started.

Q. How many people are involved in the business?

A. Right now, it’s me and a friend, Chris Meyer, who also is a Central grad; he’s at Villanova. We’re really pushing it at DePaul right now, but we’ll get going more at Villanova and hope to branch out all over.

Q. How does it work for those who want to buy, sell or trade something?

A. The whole process for people is free when they sign up. I’m focusing on colleges right now, but anyone can buy or sell something. The plan is for revenue to come from ads.

Q. What’s the biggest challenge in making Norkel successful?

A. Getting the word out is a big part of it; right now we relay a lot on social media. There also is the challenge of getting people to sign up because a lot of people feel they already are signed up for too many things.

Q. What are your business plans for the future with Norkel?

A. I put about 3-4 hours a day into it now, and I am very committed to really trying to make it work. I want to develop mobile aps once the site gets going.”

Q. Where did you come up with the name, Norkel?

A. I wanted to think of something unique and diverse. It’s just a very random word. , The logo resembles a snorkel mask with water running under the mouthpiece, with an idea being like diving into your campus.

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