JL NeedhamCo Founder

United States - Salt Lake City, Utah

I’m a deal-maker and advocate for businesses pursuing growth on technology platforms. I’m also a bridge-builder and can conceive and run a scrappy startup or operate within a global organization.

CAREER SUMMARY:

✓ 15 years launching ventures and helping brands win in Amazon's marketplace ecosystem.

✓ Many years at Google helping drive product invitation during the company's Camelot period.

✓ Contributing to product development for the world’s oldest publisher (Cambridge University Press) and technology companies (Adobe, Google) that reshaped how we interact with information.

✓ Doing deals in ecommerce, finance, geospatial data, government, healthcare, logistics, news media, publishing and video distribution.

LOOKING FORWARD:

⇨ I've launched or contributed to building many businesses, but produced lasting value with only a handful. Rather than improve my average, I’m looking to pursue bolder ideas and take bigger risks.

⇨ I'm at my best when advising companies on embracing business model change and getting competitively positioned on tech platforms.

ABOUT ME:

» I’m an INTJ, the architect / mastermind who revels in conceiving new worlds, then decisively shaping them.

» I’m a former true believer in big tech who, like Scott Galloway (profgalloway.com), has concluded that the virtue of their services is substantially undermined by their failure to pay commensurate taxes, treat their partners fairly, and actively limit the negative effects they can have on democratic institutions, teens and others.

» One dream: Buy a failing book publisher and restore it to glory like an old mansion.

SKILLS:

Business Development | Product Development | Channel Management | Strategic Partnerships | Strategic Planning | Exit Strategy | Mergers & Acquisitions | Integration Strategy | Transportation | Logistics | Sales Channel Development | Partnership Development | Executive Leadership | Strategic Advising | Amazon Marketplace*

* Yes, the above was produced with the help of a professional resume writing service (owned by a friend: upwordresume.com). I never change up bullets like that.

OK, if you're still reading, I'll tell you more, but with simple dashes for bullets:

- I grew up the second among 11 siblings, so I know both how to compete with and nurture others.
- I'm an Eagle Scout.
- Like the majority of Americans, I think I'm more attractive and can dance better than average.
- My partner and I have been nomading -- moving from place to place in the western U.S. and abroad for weeks or months at a time -- since June 2022.