{"id":952,"date":"2019-05-10T18:19:28","date_gmt":"2019-05-10T18:19:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/williambissett.com\/?p=952"},"modified":"2019-06-27T11:55:43","modified_gmt":"2019-06-27T11:55:43","slug":"charlotte-angel-connection-episode-085-aj-ratani-entrepreneur-world-traveler-former-president-and-cto-at-red-ventures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/williambissett.com\/2019\/05\/10\/charlotte-angel-connection-episode-085-aj-ratani-entrepreneur-world-traveler-former-president-and-cto-at-red-ventures\/","title":{"rendered":"Charlotte Angel Connection Episode 085: AJ Ratani, Entrepreneur, World Traveler, Former President and CTO at Red Ventures"},"content":{"rendered":"

AJ Ratani<\/a> grew up in Dubai and came to America to attend college in Arkansas.<\/p>\n

His first experience in the US was flying in a propeller plane and seeing a lot of green as he landed in Arkansas \u2013 something new to someone living in a desert.\u00a0 After his college years in Arkansas and Florida, he began his career with a company in Virginia, but he was not satisfied.<\/p>\n

He wanted a position that would offer him opportunity and growth.\u00a0 In 2005, pursuing a Monster.com lead, he was \u201clucky\u201d and was offered a job in Charlotte with a start-up firm, Red Ventures<\/a>.\u00a0 He started as a software engineer and grew within the organization to run Red Ventures’ largest and fastest growing businesses. We discuss the opportunities and challenges in working with a start-up company of 25, growing to a large world-wide corporation of 3,000.\u00a0\u00a0 We also discuss what to look for when hiring, changes in the work environment, and the advantages and disadvantages of growth.<\/p>\n

In 2017, AJ left Red Ventures, and along with his wife and child, embarked on a journey around the world, visiting six continents \u2013 a life expanding and changing type of trip.\u00a0\u00a0 Traveling with a young infant in tow inspired them to start a blog and eventually write a book to help other families travel with their children\u2013 it\u2019s called The 2 Idiots Travel Blog (www.2idiotstravel.com<\/a>).<\/strong> \u00a0It\u2019s a passion project for him now \u2013 a very different concept than when he was at Red Ventures.<\/p>\n

AJ is also actively involved with advisory roles with start-ups and in mentoring programs in the Charlotte area.\u00a0 He discusses the importance in building relationships with others to connect with the right people for referrals in advisory roles.<\/p>\n

Listen to today\u2019s episode and hear about AJ\u2019s passion and his desire to always jump on the rocket ship.<\/p>\n

Local Notes and Thoughts\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

QC Fintech<\/a>\u00a0has Class 10 in the building already.\u00a0 \u00a0The Demo Day for Class 10 is set for Tuesday June 11 and culminates in an full day event.\u00a0 You can register for the full day conference \u2013 known as Fintech Generations here (https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/fintech-generations-tickets-55658964461<\/a>).\u00a0 The Demo Day for the Class 10 Cohort follows and is free.\u00a0 You can register for that event also here\u00a0https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/queen-city-fintech-class-10-demo-day-tickets-58991659642<\/a>.\u00a0 Come out and support our local accelerator program and show them the southern hospitality Charlotte is known for. If nothing else, come out to see AvidXchange\u2019s building and growing campus \u2013 it\u2019s beautiful too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

William Bissett is the owner of and an Investment Advisor Representative of Portus Wealth Advisors, a Registered Investment Adviser.\u00a0Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect those of Portus Wealth Advisors. The topics discussed and opinions given are not intended to address the specific needs of any listener.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Portus Wealth Advisors does not offer legal or tax advice, listeners are encouraged to discuss their financial needs with the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Investments described herein may be speculative and may involve a substantial risk of loss. Interests may be offered only to persons who qualify as accredited investors under the Securities Act, and a Qualified Purchaser as defined in Section 2(a)(51)(A) under the Company Act or an eligible employee of the management company. There generally is no public market for the Interests.\u00a0Prospective investors should particularly note that many factors affect performance, including changes in market conditions and interest rates, and other economic, political or financial developments. Past performance is not, and should not be construed as, indicative of future results.<\/em><\/p>\n