Launch Key

The most direct route off the corporate merry-go-round is you.

 Leverage your experience to launch digital products at any age. 

Join 1000+ execs and late career entrepreneurs reading the Launch Key newsletter as we share modern tools, old school wisdom and free knowledge gleaned from decades of digital innovation.

Founder | Publisher

EnergyXchain

EnergyXchain was awarded a National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to conduct research and development work using blockchain technology for transaction processes in the natural gas industry. The company has a growing IP portfolio and patented technology processes that may also be utilized for energy transaction management via smart contracts, with equal applicability in sectors such as hydrogen, carbon attribution tracking, natural gas and electricity.

CEO, co-founder

Empowered

Empowered grew from one question: What if benefits enrollments were easy? Everyone struggled with insurance. Brokers needed more time with clients, HR managers drowned in paperwork and employees couldn't enroll in a basic medical plan without hassle. We wanted to provide everyone with a simple, transparent enrollment process. A process that made it easy for someone to pick the best benefits for their family.

In 2000, we launched our first consumer-driven healthcare programs, sprinting ahead of the industry by prioritizing people. Today millions of employees trust this platform for their benefits. Empowered is  wholly owned by Aflac.

Chief Innovation Officer, co-founder

Leader of the effort to redesign, develop and deploy EDA’s flagship data product as an online analytics tool. Product launch led to 20% increased sales and returned 100% of the investment in the first year post development.  

With the insight that EDA brings to the table, businesses can make better decisions by identifying trends, exploiting market opportunities, supporting sales service dealer strategies, being informed about regional hot spots, and emerging markets.

If you sell, finance or service capital equipment, EDA offers you the priceless information and timely market intelligence you need to get ahead. www.edadata.com. EDA is a Randall-Reilly company.

VP of Sales and Marketing

Vialogix

Web development company focused on user-based web solutions for internet, intranet and extranet applications.  Solutions included e-commerce, Web-enabled and database applications that enabled clients to reduce business costs or increase sales. The business cultivated long-term relationships with a broad client list that included Fortune 500 level companies Baker & Taylor, Bank of America, First Citizens Bank, National Gypsum, Novant Health, and Wachovia.

Rob Norris Communications

Built technology consulting practice specializing in digital asset management. Apple expertise used for creating networks, managing infrastructure with corporate clients - First Union National Bank, Interstate/Johnson Lane, Royal Insurance, advertising agencies in the Charlotte area. Created multimedia CD-ROM projects, interactive projects and first web based tools in 1994.

President

Coleman Lew & Associates

Recruited advertising and marketing executives for a retained search firm. Interviewed prospects and researched backgrounds. Wrote recommendations, presented candidates, negotiated salaries and benefits with clients.

Executive Recruiter

30+ years of business experience creating and leading innovative technology businesses. From the 90's internet to AI, I've carved out a living explaining and building solutions to solve business problems. 

Expertise in application development has been leveraged across energy, health care, financial services, ecommerce and data analytics businesses. I've sold to both Fortune 500 companies and SMB. I've bootstrapped and won National Science Foundation grants. There have been my fair share of entrepreneurial mistakes but have also published patents and even won a SXSW award. 

I'm not quite finished with technology and can help you avoid a few headaches with your own digital products. I recommend resources, and tools to add to your career portfolio and spin up your dream in weeks - not years. My network includes experts in literally every business function and I will happily recommend people who will level up your startup. Win/Win/Win.

Join the Launch Key newsletter for free: 
https://launchkey.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Rob Norris

Happy Thanksgiving 🍁 

And especially to entrepreneurs who have a lot to be thankful for. We never succeed all by ourselves. Take time to show gratitude to customers, employees, partners, mentors, backers but most importantly family. 

This weeks Launch Key ⬇️

Founder | Publisher @ Launch Key 🚀 | Add to your career portfolio with a passion project or side hustle. Join like-minded execs, SMB owners and late-career entrepreneurs reading the Launch Key for digital inspiration.

Open article: Thanksgiving for entrepreneurs by launchkey.beehiiv.com

This week’s Launch Key reminder is that there is no perfect career path. But there are plenty of options to make your own career portfolio far more interesting. 

Just 3 subscriber examples from Dean Otto, Tom Hewitt and Christopher Jones. 

Get in there and read about them for yourself ⬇️

Open article: Career portfolios by launchkey.beehiiv.com

We can't all have a bear steal a chainsaw on camera. 

But if we do, it's a chance to build an audience. Husqvarna social media folks effortlessly joined a funny online conversation and created buzz with humor and product giveaways. 

This week's Launch Key with a little more on the Creator Economy and using your wit. ⬇️

Open article: Creator economy of chainsaw bears by launchkey.beehiiv.com

Growing an audience with humor and experience

Did you see Taylor Sheridan's Billion dollar deal? 

In a time when Hollywood types are scared that AI will replace them, Sheridan just won generational wealth because of authentic talent. All because he bet on himself. 

That's the topic of this week's Launch Key 🚀

Outsized results are possible when you bet on yourself. 

Get in there ⬇️ 

https://lnkd.in/eMZntXVB

Open article: Bet on yourself by launchkey.beehiiv.com

Not all products are digital. 

Your late-career side hustle might not always come out of your work knowledge. Christopher Jones created a non-digital Bloody Mary mix while working on his weekend sailing hobby. 

This week's Launch Key 🚀  has the latest. 

Get in there ⬇️

Open article: Not all products are digital by launchkey.beehiiv.com

Turn your passion project into a late-career side hustle

Clarity Marketing Group LLC

- Orchestrating customer-centric marketing strategies that fuel growth.
- Driving brand development and awareness through impactful storytelling.
- Collaborating with diverse teams to execute integrated marketing plans.
- Leveraging extensive experience to optimize ROI and exceed goals.
- Transforming businesses by aligning marketing with overall objectives.

Fractional CMO + Marketing Consultant

Kelso Communications

In this role, I was responsible for spearheading end-to-end development and execution of communications strategies focused on content and digital and social media marketing for a variety of clients across several vertical industries. Devised communication on behalf of executive leaders for external and internal audiences to clarify staff member and stakeholder roles.

My standalone accomplishment: 
✦ Wrote blog posts, paid and organic social, email messaging, advertising, and web copy.

Director of Content and Digital Strategy

Opus 59

In this long tenure, I held multiple positions and I was recognized as an entrepreneur who established and directed a marketing agency for 10+ years.
Highlights of my achievements: 
✦ Improved audience-focused written and visual messaging by working with clients to develop consistent communications tone/manner and data-driven decision-making tactics.
✦ Directed strategic development and implementation of marketing programs to streamline client business strategies.
✦ Clients included: OrthoCarolina, XOOM Energy, Aston Properties, National Gypsum, Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center, Empowered Benefits, National Amateur Sports, EDA, Surgical Specialists of Charlotte, Oncology Specialists of Charlotte.

Founder and Partner | Chief Marketing Officer | Marketing  Consultant

Corder Philips

I wore multiple hats, heading the development of marketing communications programs integrating multi-disciplinary agency tactics, including advertising, branding and identity, public relations, custom publishing, internet and multimedia, and direct response marketing.
Key contributions: 
✦ Envisioned and set up "Brand Camp" and related consulting services for clients.
✦ Clients included: Crescent Resources, Crosland, Conformity Corporation, Riverwalk, Verdae Development, Rowan Regional Medical Center, Helms, Mulliss & Wicker, Lodestone Digital, Patterson Pope, American & Efird, Ballantyne Resort, HRAmerica.

Director of Account Planning | Account Supervisor | Marketing Strategist | Business Development

Anderson Communications Group

Clients included: Crescent Resources, Castrip, LLC, Sunbelt Rentals, Charlotte Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Account Supervisor

Loeffler Ketchum Mountjoy

As the Public Relations Account Supervisor | Public Relations Account Manager, I strategized and introduced integrated marketing communications campaigns for clients in high-tech, travel and tourism, consumer products, business-to-business, and state government sectors. Created content and managed internet projects for high-technology, manufacturing, and consumer products clients.
Key successes: 
✦  Pooled resources with the NC Division of Tourism to champion projects consisting of industry and legislature communications, nationwide media relations, internet, and multimedia communications development.
✦  Clients included: NC Division of Tourism, NC Department of Commerce, Verbatim Corporation, Cargill Dow, Cedalion Education, International Paper (Uniwood Division), ePlaced.com, The Trust for Public Land, Foundation for the Carolinas.

Public Relations Account Supervisor

I am a Fractional CMO and a marketing consultant with more than 20 years of experience in orchestrating impactful marketing strategies and propelling business expansion. Currently, I work with Clarity Marketing Group, a boutique marketing agency that helps clients across diverse sectors achieve their growth goals and create meaningful connections with their audiences.

As a certified digital marketer and a content marketing expert, I leverage my extensive expertise in industry principles and theories to pioneer innovative product/service concepts and methodologies. I collaborate with diverse teams to execute integrated marketing plans that fuel growth, drive brand development and awareness, and optimize ROI. I also transform businesses by aligning marketing with overall objectives and crafting compelling messaging for pivotal tactical initiatives. Some of my career milestones include fostering a cohesive internal-external ecosystem, orchestrating consecutive annual growth of 20% as an entrepreneur, and spearheading winning pitches that unlocked revenue streams exceeding $25M.

taplio

The Battle

Rob Norris

Mark Harrison

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreRob Norris's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Rob Norris

Mark Harrison

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Rob Norris's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreRob Norris's LinkedIn Performance