The name Mathieu Flamini is not very recognizable to most Americans. Some may not even recognize its French origin. But across the pond, in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, Flamini’s name holds a bit more star power. Flamini is a French soccer player who began his career in Marseille, France. He is currently playing in his second stint at Arsenal FC after returning in 2013. Although he doesn’t hold global celebrity status quite like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, Flamini is by no account a bad soccer player. He has made more than 200 appearances in Europe’s top soccer leagues.

Earlier this week, Flamini revealed that back in 2008, he secretly cofounded a biochemical company with a friend, Pasquale Granata. The company, called GF Biochemicals after the initials of Granata and Flamini, is believed to be entering a market potentially worth £20 billion (approximately $30.4 billion).

Flamini’s announcement came on the heels of GF Biochemicals’ latest scientific breakthrough. GF Biochemicals is the first firm to develop a process for mass-producing levulinic acid, one of a select few chemical compounds that the U.S. Department of Energy lists as potential petroleum substitutes. Levulinic acid has the potential to replace petroleum in the fields of cosmetics, polymers and fuel additives. This breakthrough seems poised to severely reduce global reliance on petroleum.

When Flamini first conceived the idea of starting GF Biochemicals, turning massive profits was not his primary objective. Rather, he came up with and originally funded GF Biochemicals because he said he felt a connection to nature and a responsibility to help the environment.

If levulinic acid turns out to be a perfect petroleum substitute, the world could witness a monumental shift away from fossil fuel reliance. In addition to helping the environment, the shift would also expand the biochemical field as more companies and institutions invest in finding ways to use levulinic acid. Even if levulinic acid cannot do all that some think it promises, the manufacturing process developed by GF Biochemicals could provide insight into developing manufacturing processes for other possible petroleum substitutes and important biochemicals. The U.S. Department of Energy mentioned 12 such chemicals in a 2004 report. I believe Flamini’s story can also be inspiring and valuable to every member of the Northwestern student body.

NU students tend to set high standards for excellence. Oftentimes, excellence in one field is not enough. NU is full of theater majors interested in economics, Division I athletes studying engineering and bassoon players exploring complex mathematics. Flamini is similar to all of us in that respect, and we can learn from his road to success.

We can learn patience. NU students often try to do too much at once. I, myself, am guilty of this. Our confidence drives us to take on anything and everything that could lead to future success. We must be able to take a step back. GF Biochemicals took seven years to begin to show success. We can’t expect ourselves to change the world right after we graduate.

We can learn the value of meaningful friendships. Flamini and Granata forged a friendship that also resulted in a valuable and lucrative business partnership. In addition to world-class faculty and facilities, I believe NU’s greatest resource is its student body. Despite diversity in interests and backgrounds, all NU students are intelligent and driven. Don’t limit your social interactions to inebriated weekends. Share your ideas and goals with those that you meet. You and your new friends could be sitting on a billion dollar idea.

Lastly, we can learn to follow our passions. GF Biochemicals was not founded on the principle of creating a cash cow for Flamini and Granata but rather on their shared vision of helping to resolve environmental issues. Oftentimes, NU students feel pressured to abandon their original passion because it may be too time-consuming or not lucrative enough to justify an expensive education. Although changing career paths may be the best option, keep your original vision on the back burner. With patience and helpful friends, it is never too late to rekindle your passion.

Colin Wang is a Weinberg sophomore. He can be contacted at [email protected]. If you would like to respond publicly to this column, send a Letter to the Editor to [email protected].

The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.