Founder Associate to the CEO

The Opportunity

This isn't a traditional executive assistant role. As the Founder Associate, you'll work side-by-side with our CEO, Mitch, serving as his trusted partner across both business and personal operations. Your job is simple: remove friction so he can spend more time building the company. You'll travel together, solve problems together, meet with customers together, and experience firsthand what it takes to build a high-growth startup.

This is one of the few roles where you'll have the opportunity to closely observe and contribute to the day-to-day work of a founder and CEO. If your long-term goal is to become a founder, operator, executive, or startup leader, this role offers an uncommon level of exposure. You'll gain insight into fundraising, strategy, recruiting, product development, customer relationships, company building, and the countless operational decisions that happen behind the scenes every day.

The role is demanding, fast-paced, and highly dynamic. Some weeks you'll spend several days on the road visiting customers throughout California and Arizona. Other weeks you'll be coordinating investor meetings, preparing for board discussions, handling logistics, solving operational challenges, or making sure both business and personal priorities stay on track. No two weeks look the same.

This role is best suited for someone who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys variety, and wants to build a long-term partnership with a founder while learning what it truly takes to build a company.

Qualifications

• Reside in or be willing to relocate to the Santa Cruz area before your start date.
• Willing and able to travel extensively, including multiple overnight trips most weeks and occasional week-long (or longer) travel.
• Comfortable driving long distances throughout California and Arizona.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Previous experience supporting executives, founders, operations, consulting, hospitality, project management, startups, or similar fast-paced environments is preferred but not required.