About Nick Reese - Entrepreneur, Marketer, and Javascript Developer
My name is Nick Reese and I believe that with guts and hustle anyone can live an uncommonly good life.
I got my start building businesses in 2005. Over the years I've built everything from t-shirt companies, email marketing companies, a coaching business, lots of SEO websites, and a couple of startups.
These days I'm mainly focused on building start ups that bring transparency to consumers.
What's on This Website
Between 2012-2014 I was actively creating content for freelancer who were looking to grow their business then one of my startups took off forcing me to decide between blogging or building a company.
In 2015, I decided to leave blogging behind and focus on that startup... looking back it was the right decision.
In 2020, I decided to rebuild this website so I had a place to host my thoughts and to showcase Elder.js the open source project this site was built with.
Below is a story I wrote in 2012 about a friend and me. Having graduated in 2009 during the great recession it seemed insane not to take a well paying dream job. While my life has changed a lot since writing this (I'm married with kids) the principles are the same, so I keep it as a reminder that often the safe path doesn't lead to the happiest life.
A Story of Two Friends
Two friends graduated college with a finance degree at the same time.
Both had good grades, similar ambitions, and were out to change the world.
Upon graduating both had landed 6 figure offers from their "dream companies."
After some deliberation, one decided to take the job offer...
...and the other, took the advice of a "rogue mentor," deciding instead to continue building the tiny internet business he started in college.
...
As the years passed, these two friends journeys looked surprisingly similar.
Both worked hard, made good money, and were considered "successful."
The one who took the corporate job consistently worked 60 hour weeks and cherished his 2 yearly vacations... where he could escape his responsibilities.
The other also worked 60 hour weeks (for the first few years) but was able to create a life where he could travel and pursue his passions as he pleased.
Having lost touch, the two ran into each other by chance.
As they shared their stories over drinks, it was apparent their different paths had changed them.
When one asked the other, "What does success look like to you?"
The corporate one said: "Making enough money to retire and buy a yacht."
The other said: "Making enough to live life on my own terms."
After a brief moment of silence the two friends looked at each other and smiled...
I'm the guy who didn't take the corporate job...
It was risky but it worked out.
On this website I share some of my experience, thoughts, and stories.
I hope you enjoy them.