NextMe

NextMe is a modern virtual waiting room that makes it simple for the service industry to manage their waitlist and serve more guests. Eliminate long lines and create amazing first impressions, all while saving money on outdated technology.

CEO / Co-Founder

Vault Innovation Group

Vault Innovation Group is an agency focused on building and growing mobile and web businesses through innovation.  We pride ourselves in delivering the entire software development cycles from beginning to end.  This includes research/consulting, user experience design, visual design, branding, development, and post launch services.

Business Development Executive

Shatkin Arbor

Shatkin Arbor, Inc., a futures brokerage and clearing company, provides trading tools and professional services to novice traders and hedge funds in the United States. It provides CBOT on-site trading, execution, and support and training services. The company was incorporated in 1990 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. As of August 2008, Shatkin Arbor, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Macquarie Futures USA Inc.

Analyst

I’m the son of a South Korean immigrant and entrepreneur. My single-parent mother taught me the value of hard work and resilience by involving me in her small dry cleaning and salon business, where I learned the ropes behind the cash register.

My entrepreneurial journey began early. Teaming up with my brother James, we launched our first business offering dog walking services to our mom’s customers. What started as a way to help out quickly turned into a thriving venture, serving 50+ clients and helping our mom pay off school tuition.

In college, my passion for entrepreneurship deepened during my internship as an analyst at the Chicago Board of Trade. Working closely with business owners and entrepreneurs, I saw firsthand the challenges and rewards of running a business, which further fueled my drive.

Today, I’m the Co-Founder and CEO of NextMe, a modern virtual waiting room designed to help the service industry, manage their waitlists and retain more guests. Whether it’s a busy restaurant, a packed event, or a delayed doctor's appointment, NextMe makes the waiting experience seamless so businesses can focus on delighting their customers. Since launching, we’ve been featured in Forbes, The Eater, EventMB, Food & Wine Magazine, and the Chicago Tribune for our innovative approach.

I’m also passionate about giving back to the entrepreneurial community. I serve as a mentor at DePaul University’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center and at The Garage, Northwestern University’s hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation. Empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs to dream big and make their mark is something I care deeply about.

John Y.

Pioneer Branding - The Personal Branding Agency

We build profitable personal brands for entrepreneurs and executives, helping them stand out from the competition and stay top of mind. Create better content while saving time with our proprietary Done for You content system. 

Learn more at www.pioneerbranding.com

CEO & Co-Founder

Entrepreneurs'​ Organization

Area Director - US East

The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) is a global business network of 19,000+ entrepreneurs in 222 chapters and 58 countries.  EO helps its members learn and grow through peer-to-peer learning, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and connections to experts.  Direct message, email, or call me if you'd like to learn more about joining our Baltimore chapter.

Member

Leadership Expert - US East 

President | EO Baltimore

Helping local entrepreneurs scale from $250k to $1M in revenue.

Board Member | Accelerator Chair 

Board Member | MarCom Chair

The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School

I teach Entrepreneurial Finance at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, focusing on financing strategies for startups and tech companies. The course combines financial theory, risk assessment, and valuation with practical experience. Students work in teams to develop business plans and pitch to real investors. I incorporate case studies, expert presentations, and field interactions with entrepreneurs, investors, and incubators. The curriculum covers due diligence, term sheets, and financial reporting for startups. My goal is to create an engaging, informative, and enriching learning experience that bridges theory and current business practices.

Courses:
Entrepreneurial Finance

Academic Interests:
Vetting Business Ideas
Startup Go-to-Market Strategy
Business Valuation
Operations Management & Business Analytics

Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship

Thrive Company

At Thrive, we help local businesses grow their customer base by making more visible and relevant in the marketplace. Using branding, lead generation, and customer engagement, we help our clients attract and retain more customers. 

Learn more at www.thrivecompany.com

CEO and Founder 

GiftCardRescue.com, LLC

GiftCardRescue.com was a gift card exchange website that gained prominence when it first appeared on ABC's hit show, Shark Tank in season one. The company grew to become a leading source for discounted gift cards and was regularly featured in major publications, including the The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Forbes, NPR, Entrepreneur and More. During its eight year run, GiftCardRescue.com sold over $60 million in Gift Cards and made the Inc. 500 List in 2013 and appeared on the Inc. 5000 list for 4 consecutive years.

CEO and Founder

Citigroup

Risk & Control Manager

HR Compliance Manager

Management Associate

Personal Brand Architect | I empower visionary entrepreneurs to step into their purpose by crafting legacy-defining personal brands | 4X Inc 5000 CEO | EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® | EO Member

With over 15 years of Digital Marketing Experience, including 7 years leading a Marketing Agency, I've learned a lot about branding other businesses but missed one key piece: building my own brand.

This was a mistake that cost me more than I would ever like to admit. But, as leaders, we learn from our mistakes.

In my experience with business groups like Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and conversations with CEO's across multiple industries over the recent year, three things became clear:

• CEOs with strong personal brands put their business in a better position.

• CEO's with strong personal brands gain faster traction on their new ventures.

• Many CEO's don't know how to start building their brand.

That’s why I launched Pioneer Branding. I decided to focus on my personal brand to show other business owners that it's still not too late.

At Pioneer Branding, we are dedicated to helping CEOs avoid the same mistake I made, by providing them with guidance and systems to build their personal brands.

I’m here to give the advice and direction that I didn’t have. I offer a free audit to get you started: Schedule a FREE Personal Brand Clarity Call here - https://pioneerbranding.com/.

Additional things to note about me:
- I've been an active member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) for nearly a decade, most recently serving as Chapter President.

- My commitment to entrepreneurship extends into academia as an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School.

Kwame
Co-Founder at Pioneer Branding

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John Y.

Kwame Kuadey

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