Seeking design and web development co-founders for a crazy idea (Midtown)

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Hello,

I am looking for talented and passionate business partner(s) for a crazy idea of mine.

***My crazy idea***

I am a little bit of a neat freak when it comes to electronic gadgets. One of my biggest pet peeves is most electronic cables are way too long. I hated the fact that whenever I traveled, I had to carry at least 2 different chargers and multiple data cables for blackberries, iphones, kindle, etc. Last year, I bought the domain shortcables.com. It was meant to be a business of selling really short electronic cables or other accessories that solve this problem for neat freaks and frequent travelers.

***My grand vision***

The 2 Billion USB devices sold each year around the world (yes, that is with a B!). And most of those devices came with annoyingly long cords. Therefore, the potential market is huge. However, my vision is not just about satisfying the unmet need of people who like to bundle their long cables with rubber bands. I don't want shortcables.com to be like Newegg.com or Amazon.com where you buy the same things that you would buy at Best Buy, but just cheaper. My vision of shortcables.com is a combination of Art, Design, and Charity. I want to sooth people's frustration with poor design in electronics through Artistic design and channel that frustration into a power to do good. While short cables will be the initial offerings, I want future products to solve the mess of electronics both at home and on the go.

Furthermore, I want a % of all sales to go this charity --> Barefoot College (www.barefootcollege.org). Barefoot College is a legendary charity that most people have never heard of. Barefoot college selects poor illiterate women from the poorest regions around the world, and train them to be solar engineers. These trained solar engineers then go back to their villages to build solar-powered electricity their villages. Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHhpyS5U1KY see the amazing feat! I think most people won't care if they pay $8 or $12 for a electronic cable. The cost difference is less that the average starbucks purchase. But People are probably more likely to buy a $12 item that they need (short cables) than giving $4 to a charity. I truly believe and am convinced that coupling shortcables.com with charity is a win-win proposition. I also want to make the website FUNNY! Think woot.com.

***What I need***

At this point, I have already paid for a cool Shopify webstore design, an AWESOME logo, and I actually have sourced a preliminary selection of cables from China (Yes, my apt is full of boxes of short cables). However, I am at my limits in terms of capacity and skill. While I did some programming back in college, I am a novice when it comes to modern day web development. Additionally, while I do have an eye for good design, I am not a designer. I believe the key to the success of this idea is to have amazing design and flexible and fast web development so we can quickly engage our customers, and keep them engaged.

In terms of immediate needs, they are:

- Implement shopify theme and get the website ready to launch on shopify

- Improve design of the website, packaging, stickers

- Take good product photography. I have a good camera with a product photography lens

- Write FUNNY product descriptions

- Help blogging to build the company personality

- Build a network of neatfreaks and other potential customers

I think the immediate priority is to get the website launched and start shipping products. We'll take care of the other stuff later

***Who I am looking for***

Designer:

I am looking for an awesome designer who must be good at graphic design, web design, and even industrial design. You must be passionate about good design, especially in electronics or home appliances. Knowing CSS is a major plus

Web developer:

Some one who is really good and efficient at web development. Knowing your way Shopify is a must. Knowing CSS, Ruby on Rails, and other programming languages would be a plus. Look, you are going to be the Chief Technical Officer of this company. YOu should be someone who appreciates simple codes and shortcuts.

I am looking for co-founders who are passionate about good design in electronics (you probably all use iPhones) and also passionate about helping people. And, you must like to have fun, and not take life too seriously. If you are easily offended, it's not going to work. If you can't take jokes about yourself, this is probably not going to work. If you are not trying to get back at me with jokes, it's probably not going to work. If you are looking for a full time job, this is not it. Don't quit your day job as you will likely work on this part-time

I really don't care about your age, gender, degrees, or what you do. But you must demonstrate that you have the talent (either in design or in development). You don't need a super-long portfolio, but the stuff you have must be good. Though I do think this would be an ideal opportunity for students (either undergrad or grad school). The part-time schedule is perfect, and you get a great experience to put on your resume. Who knows, this might be your first start-up of many to come. Also, freelance designers or web developers would also be good for this

***What I can offer***

First of all, I can't pay you in cash. I am already paying for the product inventory, the web development, and also other operational costs. I can offer you an combination of ownership in the company and also % of the profit from the sale of short cables. If we do really well, then we can put you on a stipend/salary. Again, don't plan to quit your day job.

***About myself***

I am an entrepreneur. I recently co-founded a online menswear company and I am in the process of starting a Soccer Protection Equipment company with other friends. Previously, I worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Co (but please don't hold it against me :) I quit McKinsey because I realize the world is changing too fast. Staying in traditional corporates is to let the future pass you by. Before McKinsey, I was a Biophysicist. When I am not working, I am probably running or playing soccer.

If you are interested, please email me back with the answers to the following questions:

- Why the hell do you want to be part of this CRAZY idea?

- What can you contribute? Graphics? Design? Programming? All of the above??

- Why do you think you are right for this?

- Are you good enough to help pull this off? Why?

- What is the meaning of Life?

I will be going to China next week for a business trip. So my internet connection will be spotty. I will be back in NYC early April to meet potential partners in crime in person :)

Have a nice day!

  • Compensation: Equity, future sales, platonic love, a good time and a great mutual learning experience, all the short cables that you can use.
  • Telecommuting is ok.
  • This is a part-time job.
  • This is a contract job.
  • This is at a non-profit organization.
  • This is an internship job
  • Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
  • Please, no phone calls about this job!
  • Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.