University of Denver graduates Carl Larsson and Dennis Birdsall followed their dreams and their new alpaca business to the heart of the Andes Mountains in Peru.

Then they got stranded.

The two friends and new business partners were stuck in a broken-down van at an altitude of 14,000 feet in the middle of the night when temperatures fell to 20 below Fahrenheit.

That trip resulted from an idea Birdsall had a few years earlier.

“I was studying abroad in Argentina and went to Peru. I saw the alpaca sweaters and bought them as gifts. I thought it was a cool product and then I wondered why alpaca isn’t here,” said Birdsall.

Alpaca is a domesticated animal in South America. Farmers sheer the animals and use the wool for clothing and rugs. The process is similar to shearing sheeps and goats.

Larsson arrived at the same concept in Las Vegas where he visited a store that sold alpaca goods.

“We both had the same idea at different times in our lives, so we decided to go with it,” said Birdsall.

The Alpaca Store was conceived in a business plan, written for an independent study.

They put together their ideas and their knowledge from the business school to import alpaca products. Larsson knew an investor that provided their financial backing. It cost about $50,000 to get the Alpaca Store started.

Alpaca husbandry is important in Peru and the export of alpaca goods adds an element of global responsibility to the company.

Larsson and Birdsall employ Peruvian families, which boosts Peru’s economy and helps workers earn fair wages in a good working environment.

“We want to get the whole community to rally around alpaca,” said Birdsall.

The DU grads opened their store in Southwest Plaza in November 2001, six months after their graduation.

They picked Southwest Plaza for several reasons.

“It’s the best mall in the most affluent community that allows holiday retailers,” said Birdsall.

The Alpaca Store is open November, December and January. During the off-season the entrepreneurs keep themselves busy.

“We put together a wholesale catalog and we do all the marketing. Eventually we want out of retail because it’s a lot of overhead. We want to wholesale to other stores,” said Birdsall.

Larsson and Birdsall set a practical example for budding business owners.

The Alpaca Store hasn’t turned a profit yet.

“School taught me that I can teach myself the material with just a little bit of guidance. School teaches theory, but in reality things don’t always work. I learned to invest in myself,” said Birdsall.