Are you a web developer looking to put your skills to the ultimate test and become a co-founder of a new and exciting startup company?

Do you want to work for a company that is built around giving back to the community? If so we are looking for you.

Position is open to seasoned web pros, talented recent grads, and those in between, a hacker mentality and passion for building things people want is required.

Company Overview:

We are building a web-based referral marketing application for service providers to grow their business through customer referrals, and for individuals to refer their friends to trusted service, and support a non-profit.

Service Providers create custom referral programs; invite their customers and partners to participate, and track and manage the referral activity.

Our truly unique Donation Rewards feature produces a cash donation to a worthy non-profit organization for each successful transaction.

We are seeking an outstanding individual that is local to the Bay Area, or would consider moving here in the next three months. With this in mind we are not seeking responses from web development companies or developers/freelancers that are not interested in joining the team as a co-founder. Telecommuting is an option in the first stage of the project.

Development Skills:

* Python and or PHP, MySQL, Linux, Apache

* Ruby on Rails

* Java, AJAX, and FLASH, HTML, CSS

* API’s such as Google Maps/Local

Project Stage:

We are currently in discussion with potential investors and would love to have a technical co-founder as part of our team.

You will be provided with a complete set of product specs at the outset as well as a rough initial design, which you can choose to use or discard

Over the last two months we have been consulting with various large web development companies and have received extremely positive feedback on the product.

Our product currently has over 100 beta customers without any marketing or PR activity.

Compensation:

Substantial equity is being offered with compensation levels to be commensurate with current founders. Investment by candidate is NOT required upon joining.

Key Personal Attributes:

• Self motivated

• Design conscious

• Iterates quickly

• Willing to take risks and try new ways of doing things

• Passionate about customer / user satisfaction

• Seeks simple solutions to problems

• Works well in a social environment and is team orientated

• Passion for collaborative Web 2.0 technologies

• Interest in flattening the playing field for small local businesses

Initial Development Timeline:

Prototype: 4-6 weeks

Version 1.0 / Beta: 3-4 weeks

Beta Version 1.5: 6-8 weeks

If you’re interested in learning more about this unique position, please send an introductory email (rephcorp AT rephoria DOT com) and your resume, and links to things you’ve built (if possible).

Thank you for taking the time to review this posting and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Over the recent months, while developing my startup, I’ve spent a lot of time researching and talking with local service providers such as CPA’s, stationary designers, and landscape architects; and like all of us, I also spend a lot of time interacting with service workers at local restaurants, Starbucks, and credit card companies. Both service providers and service workers make essential contributions to an economic system. But the two types of service work produce dramatically different outcomes in terms of a nation’s economic security, and opportunities for personal wealth creation.

As the world economy’s powerbase shifts to accommodate the surging influence of China and India, the Unites States is at a precarious economic crossroad. The U.S is and will remain an economic powerhouse for years to come, primarily because American consumers and corporations are rich and consume a massive amount of products and services. But, with the globalization mega-trend continuing to advance and evolve, will the majority of future American workers fulfill the role of service providers or service workers?

High Value Fundamentals

A strong local economy is essential for service providers to thrive. The presence of local businesses and well paid workers to buy services creates a sustainable economic ecosystem for service providers to start and build businesses. Much like local and state governments, which rely on a growing tax base to provide services to citizens, service providers rely on a strong and growing demographic of businesses and consumers to create the demand for their services.

Without a solid local economy, customers have fewer and less differentiated products and services to choose from and lower paying job opportunities as service workers. Additionally, with most products and services coming into local markets from far off suppliers and the profits being shipped back to corporate HQ’s, the local economic ecosystem becomes stagnant.

The Globalization Tsunami

According to a recent survey by the Financial Services Forum on American’s attitudes towards globalization, “only 49% of respondents had a favorable view of globalization—a dip from the 54% who were favorable in 2006. Respondents also expressed some support for more protectionist responses to globalization. Most importantly, roughly two-thirds of those surveyed (67%) noted that they would have a more positive view and approach to globalization if Congress and the White House would support efforts to help workers, businesses, and communities respond and adjust to the challenges of the 21st century economy.”

To effectively compete in a flat world, America must locally produce and export high value services. Developing nations are benefiting immensely from their comparative strength as manufacturing and technology producers, but are facing huge challenges in supporting the changing needs of their citizens and infrastructure. The demand for knowledge and experience in servicing and managing these needs is a niche opportunity that America is uniquely positioned to serve. Closing the borders and raising tariffs is not a sustainable solution; neither is relying on low cost products and services to offset declining wages. America must ride the Globalization Tsunami by becoming the preferred provider of high value services.

As we commemorate the contribution of American workers and the labor movement this Labor Day, we should also look to the future and ask ourselves and the leaders of this country, from our current president, 2008 presidential candidates, senators, and congress, state governors, and local officials, whether America is moving in the right direction. “It’s the Economy, Stupid,” is a constant truism of American culture. As Americans we pride ourselves in leading the way forward, and without a strong local base of service businesses and good jobs to support these ventures, many of us may soon find ourselves asking our fellow Americans “did you want a grande or venti frappucino.”

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