Dean Caravelis ’02 ’03MBA
Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m a first-generation Greek-American, proud double UCF alumnus, and the founder and CEO of Blezoo, an Orlando-based promotional marketing agency I started in 2008. I’ve spent my career helping brands create memorable experiences through merchandise, packaging, events, and creative marketing, which ultimately led me to write The Experience-in-a-Box Playbook as a way to share what I’ve learned about turning ideas into tangible experiences people remember. I live in College Park with my wife, Marissa, and our daughter, Stella. At my core, I’m a maker. I enjoy building things, developing ideas, creating music, traveling, and finding new ways to turn ordinary moments into experiences that feel thoughtful, creative, and memorable.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I first realized I wanted to write a book after a conversation with the late Pat Williams, one of the founders of the Orlando Magic. I had interviewed Pat for my blog, and he told me that you should only write a book when you have something burning inside of you that needs to come out. That stuck with me. I never wanted to write a book just to say I had written one, so I waited until I had something I genuinely felt compelled to share. Eventually, that happened. After years of building Blezoo and seeing firsthand how powerful thoughtfully designed experiences could be for brands, I realized I had developed a philosophy and process that I wanted to put into the world. That became The Experience-in-a-Box Playbook.
What’s your writing process? What inspires your writing?
My writing process is pretty simple. Anytime I have an idea, observation, or insight related to something I care about, I put it into Apple Notes on my phone or computer. I’m constantly collecting thoughts and building little libraries of ideas that I can come back to later. I don’t really feel like I need to wait for inspiration because the everyday world provides more than enough of it if you’re paying attention. I also believe writing is one of the most important ways we exercise our brains. It forces you to organize your thoughts, form opinions, and make sense of what you’re seeing around you. One of my concerns with AI is that if people stop doing that work themselves, that mental muscle could begin to atrophy. I use AI as a tool, but I still think the thinking has to come from you.
What was the biggest thing you learned during your time as a Knight that you apply to your life today?
Other than learning to be kind while fighting for a parking spot, the biggest thing UCF taught me was the importance of building a network. That network starts with your professors and classmates, but it extends to alumni, mentors, and professionals throughout the community. Those relationships can become incredibly valuable at every stage of your life and career. But I also learned that the best networks aren’t built around what you can get from people. They’re built around what you can give. If you focus on helping people, making connections, sharing opportunities, and being someone others can count on, the network tends to take care of itself.
What was a class or club at UCF that helped you grow as a writer?
In my senioryear capstone class at UCF, I was never really someone who thought of myself as a writer. But I remember a classmate reading something I had written and telling me, “This is very good. You could be a great writer one day.” It was probably a small, passing comment to them, and they may not even remember saying it, but it stayed with me forever. It taught me how much a few words of encouragement can matter, especially when they reach someone at the right moment. Sometimes another person sees something in you before you see it in yourself.
Who are some of your favorite authors or books?
Seth Godin, Ryan Holiday, James Clear, and Mark Manson.
If UCF had a time machine, what moment on campus would you go back to?
The moment Mike Hughes ran back a kickoff for a touchdown against South Florida, in 2016, to win the game.
If your UCF experience were a meme, what would it be?
A marathon runner holding a mug that says, “It’s Fine. Everything’s Fine. We’ll eventually finish.”
What are you currently working on right now?
I’m building custom applications for Blezoo, designing a creative space called ‘The Think Tank’ that companies can rent, and of course many wonderful client projects.
