Jon Reich
Jon Reich's path to co-ownership of Cathexis Partners is a testament to his relentless pursuit of knowledge and adaptability across diverse fields. Armed with an undergraduate degree in philosophy and a master's in communications, Jon embarked on a career as an interactive producer with Big Idea Productions, the Veggie Tales company, producing video games.
When that company went through bankruptcy and downsizing, Jon found himself a bit adrift. Despite having minimal experience in web design, Jon's determination and resourcefulness propelled him forward when an opportunity arose at a non-profit organization. Adopting a “fake it ‘til you make it” attitude and leveraging Google and free online courses, he immersed himself in the intricacies of web development, transforming himself from a novice to a proficient practitioner. This journey reinforces Jon's belief that just because one does not have a skill does not mean one can never acquire that skill—a principle that continues to shape his approach to business and technology.
Another life change occurred when Jon’s wife Holly was finishing up her graduate degree and was required to do a residency out of state. Looking for remote work opportunities, Jon met Mark Becker, who was leaving a consulting company that Jon had applied to, to start his own company. Jon and Mark decided to partner up on this journey, and Cathexis Partners was born. Cathexis Partners is a technology consulting firm for non-profits aimed at aiding them in their technology support and fundraising process, especially with their online platforms. Since its creation fifteen years ago, Cathexis Partners has worked with over a thousand non-profit organizations, including large national organizations such as Susan G. Komen, Alzheimer's Association, U.S. Naval Institute, and Mount Sinai Medical Foundation.
Even before the coronavirus (COVID-19) brought an increase in remote work opportunities, Cathexis was far ahead of the curve, embracing not just remote work but also affordable and easy-to-use software that helped them to maintain a low overhead, thus resulting in a more affordable cost of service for their clients. After the COVID-19 lockdown, many people are familiar with the downsides of remote work, such as loneliness, communication issues, a decrease in productivity, and a hard work-life balance, but Jon faced many of these challenges himself much earlier on, especially with employee recruitment, as it was difficult retaining employees for remote work. Just like every other challenge Jon faced, he worked hard to surmount it, and he did. His best advice for people who want to be productive and successful while working remotely is to clearly communicate, never assume, don’t procrastinate, and be thorough in your work, creating an environment where every member is at their most productive.
Jon's partnership with Mark is very interesting as Jon lives in South Dakota while Mark lives in Florida. When describing his partnership, he uses the metaphor of a brake and gas pedal; Mark, who is the business development and sales specialist of the two, is a lot more outgoing, idealistic, and risk-taking, while Jon, who considers himself to be the brake, is the operations specialist and is more practical and pragmatic. Although causing friction and frustration along the way, this difference in personality has been the secret formula for the success of Cathexis Partners. Jon asserts that without Mark’s risk taking, Cathexis Partners would never have gotten off the ground and grown. Without Jon’s caution and push back, it likely would’ve crashed and burned early on.
When discussing the threat of Artificial Intelligence and advancements in technology to their business, Jon maintains his belief that those who know how to use AI will not only remain relevant, but will excel and succeed. AI will only be a threat to those who are unwilling to adapt and harness the help it provides. The ethos of continuous learning and adaptability permeates Cathexis Partners' culture, reflecting Jon's personal philosophy.
Through Jon Reich's story—from philosophy to communications, web design to technology consulting—we witness the transformative power of perseverance, grit, and intellectual curiosity.
