The accounting and finance student started a tuk-tuk business, transporting students to and from the Octagon and North Dunedin at weekends, last year.
Providing a cheaper alternative to taxis, the business had taken off and now had almost 1200 likes on Facebook.
‘‘The most common thing people say when I give them a ride is I made their night,'' he said.
Operating from 10pm until 4am took its physical toll but, aside from Friday morning classes, he was able to make the business work around his schedule.
It also had physical benefits, he said.
‘‘It's really good fitness. I don't have to do leg day at the gym.''
The self-described entrepreneur always wanted to own a business and had started several ventures in the past, including a gardening business.
‘‘This is the most successful one,'' he said.
‘‘It was a bit of a gamble. People told me it was crazy, but I told them it would work and it did.''
Mr Rogers imported the tuk-tuk from China at a cost of $3500.
However, he planned to expand his fleet and had recently received a grant from Ngai Tahu to aid in buying a second.
‘‘Once I have left [Dunedin], I will still keep it and have someone else run them,'' the Auckland-raised student said.
He charged $5 for a ride but, in the southeast Asian spirit of the business, the price was up for negotiation.
‘‘It depends on the person and how much they want to barter, but generally it's five bucks per person,'' he said.
The tuk-tuk could comfortably seat two passengers, who were even able to have their own choice in music.
The low price had not run him into competition with taxis and most drivers had been supportive.
However, one taxi driver had some choice words for him.
‘‘I had one yell ‘pay your taxes', which I do,'' he said.
The student market and transporting rugby fans from Forsyth Barr Stadium to town kept him busy, but he planned to target cruise ship passengers once the next season began.
And what's next for the entrepreneur?
‘‘I always planned on finding something and that being my lifelong career,'' he said.
