Meet our reSET reSIDENT, Rich Gaski
Rich Gaski is the founder of Upstart Apps, a company that designs mobile products and services for businesses with a focus on providing high-quality, start-up strategy, technical, and product management counseling.
Since joining reSET’s coworking community at 99 Pratt St., Rich has noticed a shift:, while his business works with other companies to develop their mobile application ideas, he finds himself reconnecting with his roots and is working more on developing and fleshing out his own ideas.
“I was looking for a place where I could work, but not from home. It’s good to get away from home life distractions. The convenience and proximity of reSET to where I live and the resources it provides are a perfect fit for me” Rich said.
An expert in the field of mobile application development since the Palm Pilot, Rich admittedly has a passion for creating applications that are both user-friendly, and helpful.
“That’s what I love to do,” he explained, leaning over from his co-working desk “creating the technology, product, the business, the design, and bringing it all together. I enjoy creating applications that people will love and use.”
Having worked as a consultant for both large and small companies, Rich enjoys the task of finding balance for both environments. He does so by introducing big company mentality to small businesses to help manage their operations more efficiently, and in turn brings a little disruption and innovation to larger companies to increase their spontaneity and risk taking.
“Working at reSET I have become more hands on “Rich said while turning his computer screen to show his current project, a membership card for reSET reSIDENTS and staff. “I’m sitting here coding this project, and wondering how it will provide value, how it will make reSET become more efficient.”
Using Apple’s PassBook software combined with Ibeacon technology, Rich’s idea for a mobile membership card will first benefit reSET and the coworking community. , But, it has potential to create a cost- effective way to allow members individual access to their space, and real-time updates, features he says could be adapted by other coworking spaces in the future.
Using lean start-up methodology, the membership card will be tested on a small group comprised of reSET staff and volunteer members from the coworking community.
“At the end of it I see a tremendous platform for marketing and engagement that would drive awareness of reSET and the coworking space through marketing this membership card. It would give reSET a tool to communicate with interested people and current residents. The second piece would be managing the coworking environment itself; I think the platform will help the organization make better informed decisions for more efficient operation” Rich said.
Community Builder Meryl Willett will be blogging about her experience using this software, so be sure to check reSET’s blog regularly to see how the process is evolving.
