SLO MakerSpace Co-Founder September 2013 to present
ABOUT |
SLO MakerSpace is a community resource dedicated to education and creativity. It is an open, collaborative machine/wood/electronics shop and craft center where one can build projects; teach and take classes; and build networks connecting with local people and resources.
Rory became involved at the ideation stage and helped to define the vision of the MakerSpace. He was then hired on as the first Shop Manager and tasked with building the shop infrastructure, creating the internal business processes, training a 10 person team of volunteer staff members, and running the day to day operations of the MakerSpace. Shortly after opening the shop, Rory trained and hired a replacement Manager to pursue working on the FarmBot Project full time. Today Rory serves on the Board of Directors and continues to innovate and steer the MakerSpace towards sustainability.
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SKILLS LEARNED |
• Opening a multifaceted brick and mortar business
• Training and managing a team of 10 volunteer staff members
• Building core shop infrastructure including a CNC router and laser cutter
• Serving on a Board of Directors
• Strategic business model development
• Building a custom Wordpress site |
WEBSITE |
• SLOMakerSpace.com
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PRESS |
• Cal Poly Engineering Advantage, Spring 2014, Page 22
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SOCIAL MEDIA |
• Facebook
• Instagram |
Propelem Co-Founder February 2013 to present
ABOUT |
Propelem is a platform that allows people to be rewarded for completing specific actions. Current rewards systems are inconvenient, decentralized, and limited. Propelem consists of a website and mobile application. Our website allows one to purchase products to be given as rewards to others for completing specific actions. The mobile application validates actions and automatically provides users with a digital voucher that can be used to redeem the reward in-store. Our business model provides a new way to make sales for product providers and a simple and convenient way to reward individuals, with our revenue coming from each sale that moves through our platform. Rory focuses on business development and sales marketing but has helped in areas of UX and UI design as well as beta app development and testing. |
SKILLS LEARNED |
• Working on an interdisciplinary team
• Working in the fast-paced, tech-startup environment
• Lean canvas business model development, validation, and iteration
• Pitching and networking
• Grant writing
• UX and UI design |
WEBSITE |
• Propelem.com
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SOCIAL MEDIA |
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google+ |
Cal Poly Zero Waste Club President Fall 2011 to Spring 2013
ABOUT |
The Cal Poly Zero Waste Club is a tight knit group of students with the common goal of answering the question: "What is Waste?" as well as reducing the waste in our daily lives and community.
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SKILLS LEARNED |
• Communicating with 50+ organizations and individuals
• Providing leadership and direction to the club
• Scheduling, organizing and facilitating meetings and events
• Documenting progress
• Public speaking |
WEBSITE |
• cpzerowaste.blogspot.com
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SOCIAL MEDIA |
• Facebook |
Euphoria Farms Co-Founder Spring through Fall 2012
ABOUT |
Euphoria Farms is a fruit trading and group purchasing collective in San Luis Obispo. The collective was started by Rory and 3 friends in response to the abundance of fruit that rots on the ground in backyards as well as the lack of a fruit CSA in the area. A business plan and marketing strategy was created in the Spring and deliveries were made for 8 weeks throughout Summer and Fall. The collective recouped its startup cost with the last delivery, viewing the endeavor as a complete success and a valuable learning experience.
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SKILLS LEARNED |
• Entrepreneurship and networking
• Identifying a need and defining a problem statement
• Using online database software for administrative purposes
• Marketing, budgeting and handling customer service
• Communicating and creating relationships with partners
• Cash handling and responsibility
• Social media outreach
• Website building |
WEBSITE |
• EuphoriaFarms.com |
PRESS |
• Digital Frankenstein |
SOCIAL MEDIA | |
SLO-Op Climbing Crew Member Spring 2010 to present
ABOUT |
SLO-Op Climbing is a non-profit climbing gym in San Luis Obispo owned by Kristin Horowitz. Crew members volunteer staff the gym during regular business hours to sign people up for membership.
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SKILLS LEARNED |
• Using online database software for administrative purposes
• Making sales and handling customer service
• Leadership and responsibility
• Cash handling and credit card processing
• Communication
• Safety on the job |
WEBSITE |
• slo-opclimbing.org |
SOCIAL MEDIA | |
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