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 Eliminate long lines and create amazing first impressions, all while saving money on outdated technology.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.

Honeyfund.com, Inc.

Head of Product

Carter Vintage

Launched a marketplace for high-end vintage guitars and scaled 5x from $4MM GMV in 2021 to $20MM in 2023

Etsy

Built and a led a cross-functional team of 6 PMs, PMMs, and User Researchers at subsidiary Reverb

Director of Product Management

Built and led a team of 3 PMs focused on category, seller, and native mobile app growth at subsidiary Reverb

Group Product Manager

Reverb

Grew GMV share of non-core categories by 30% via search + browse optimization and category crossover engine

Product Manager, Category Growth

McMaster-Carr

Grew revenue by 15%+ across 5 verticals Y/Y via search/browse/filtering improvements for 500k+ products

Product Manager, Discovery

Project Manager

Digital Merchandising Coordinator

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management

Research Analyst

I guided the musical instruments marketplace Reverb through 10x growth in its transition from eBay underdog (sub-$100MM / year) to Etsy portfolio company ($1bn+ / year) and transformed a beloved vintage guitar retailer into a niche marketplace for collectible guitars, growing 5x in under 2 years. I focus on launching and efficiently scaling startups as well as new areas of established organizations.

taplio

The Battle

John Y.

Eli Wilson

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