Founder: Geeklist and some other stuff.
I've done this for 6 of my own companies and it's something I enjoy very much. Love discussing my experiences and sharing any knowledge learned from my wins and losses alike :)
I've built, designed and grown hundreds of brands over my career, some my own and some for companies as big as Visa or as small as a local restaurant. From internet startups in community and developer worlds to online retail. Currently I'm building Geeklist's brand around the world.
I've done this a few times ;) happy to give advice and help fellow CEO's and entrepreneurs alike.
I quit my creative director job at 22 to start my own company in advertising and web development. At 26 launched my first venture backed internet startup... and never looked back. 18 years of entrepreneurship can give some interesting perspective, advice and ideas on being or becoming an entrepreneur. Ask me anything. Really.
I've done a few businesses with a few angels and been an angel a few times myself... being an angel investor, working with them and talking about the risks and rewards is something I enjoy discussing.
I've built, raised funds for, grown revenues and sold multiple ventures. Right now my latest startup is http://geekli.st which I co-founded, raised over $1,000,000 in angel and VC funding for and built into the worlds most known brand for developer community. Love giving advise on startups.
As founder you have to learn to balance growth and fundraising. Get a friends and family round together to launch your MVP.
It depends on many factors. Are they willing to do it as a convertible note? If you're early stage the debt will be a burden if you don't have revenues in short order to repay it. 20% is extremely high and if you can't repay in revenues it could bankrupt you.
Investors outside the U.S. Are not weird at all, in fact often very smart investors. But you have to get to know them first.
In sum: how badly do you need the capital and do you think you can repay before it's due? If not you'll need to set repayment terms in case you don't hit your revenues. Just don't get stuck working to repay debt.
Reuben has multifaceted talents. He's a business leader with experience as an international CEO and as a creative visionary. In both, he can see the forest without getting lost in the trees. He can operate in multiple cultures effectively and has the tenacity to get things done. He's a guy who never gives up and you can count on to drive to the goal.
Reuben is an excellent creative director. His work is the highest quality, he's a man of great intelligence and kindness, I'm proud to have worked with him
Reuben is a great leader and visionary, a highly creative, immensely talented salesperson. He knows how to motivate people to work incredibly hard to build a company from the ground up. It was a pleasure to join his vision and help him execute it.
Reuben Katz is a savvy and highly intelligent business professional. I have seen him rise above challenges and overcome obstacles in his life. Reuben is a great conversationalist and a world traveler. I know Reuben to give 110% to what he is focused on. His clients are fortunate to have his creative genius and business leadership. He is a man of honesty and integrity and a great guy to have on your team.
Reuben proved to be an invaluable resource for taking projects by the horns and managing them from cradle to grave. His ability to take ownership and work under pressure to produce the designated outcome with out getting rattled is a rare and extremely beneficial talent.
Reuben is a highly creative type with a great sense of how to market a product.
Reuben has a rare understanding and mastery of multimedia story-telling. He possesses deep knowledge about how to present brand imagery that really resonates with audiences, and the creativity to come up with unexpected visuals that grab viewers. He also understands business processes, and has the vision to see big-picture possibilities. I recommend him highly!
I have had the pleasure of working with Reuben over the course of several years. In that time, Reuben has provided me (and my company) with expert advice and operational know-how in multiple areas - creative direction, public relations, advertising concepts, business development, media strategy, international commerce, project design, manufacturing, marketing and sales. Our company has grown from a small in-house operation with one product to a robust multinational corporation with over 30 products and services. Reuben has played a key role in each phase of development both as a business consultant as well as a financial partner. He has demonstrated an uncommon ability to successfully manage people, projects, deadlines, as well as crisis.I trust his judgment and instincts and would recommend him without reservation.
