Rejection can be the greatest source of motivation, as Michael Rosenbaum has learned.
While working for the White House during the Clinton administration on policy issues, Rosenbaum questioned the idea that urban and rural were untapped retail markets. The labor market might not be able to support the development, Rosenbaum said, because residents? experience and resumes wouldn?t lead to job placement.
When his thoughts didn?t gain any traction, Rosenbaum did what any determined entrepreneur would do ? he started his own business.
“I said, ?I?m going to prove you wrong,? ” Rosenbaum said. “I did it to prove a point.”
Rosenbaum founded Catalyst IT Services in Baltimore in 2000, an IT firm that provides companies a local alternative to offshore information technology outsourcing. Catalyst IT Services works with companies like Aramark, Comcast and Geico. The company builds and maintains tech systems at the same cost companies would pay international IT firms.
The other piece of Rosenbaum?s business ? Pegged Software ? was established “to prove his point.” The software analyzes personal data on individuals and analyzes the probability the person will be a proficient technical worker. Rosenbaum says the software is 91 percent accurate, without ever seeing the person?s resume.
“It?s an online system that considers the way people deal with stress, how they attack problems,” Rosenbaum said. “We then run the data through a series of algorithms to make a determination.”
The Pegged Software business is growing, with Rosenbaum?s company selling the software to human resource departments to aid their employee searches.
Todd Frager, Catalyst IT Services? chief financial officer, said Rosenbaum?s passion for the business continues to grow.
“Every day, he?s excited when he comes to work,” Frager said. “It?s something he?s believed in long before he started the company. It?s more than just a job ? it?s really what hebelieves in.”
Building the business ? the company has grown to 50 employees ? keeps Rosenbaum motivated, as he said his job tasks change each day.
“I only get more determined,” Rosenbaum said. “We?ve done a lot of good work for a lot of people.”
