Jess A. Olsen

Firmafon

Communicator

2011-

I currently hold a position as de facto head of online marketing and communications, with the quirky title of "Communicator", at Firmafon. Firmafon is a mobile phone service provider, combined with a groundbreaking web based switchboard and administrations platform. All software is homegrown and built by the best team of developers and executives; I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Truly product driven companies are a rare breed, but Firmafon is a thoroughbred.

GoWebTrade

Community Manager

2010-2010

After completing my masters degree in Information Studies and writing a thesis on e-commerce design, I got asked if I wanted to join a startup. GoWebTrade was an ambitious venture with the goal of launching a community based trading platform targeted the eastern European markets. Based on the Saxo Bank white label platform, GoWebTrade set out to conquer Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic countries, but did unfortunately not succeed. It closed down operations in late 2011.

Seismonaut

Interaction Designer

2008-2010

At Seismonaut I have been lead interaction designer, responsible for the design on a range of online projects. Ad some point these projects will be displayed on this site. In the mean time, take a look at Seismonaut, 48 Hours In Denmark, Headstart Network, Danmarks Fedeste Fritidsjob or Community Conference.

Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University

Online Projects Manager

2008

After the work I did at Strategy-Lab, I got asked whether I was interested in working on online projects for the department of communication at Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University. There I was involved in several projects, but after only eight months I left ASB do to internal conflicts and my lack patience for dealing with large organizations.

Strategy-Lab, Aarhus University

Online Communicator / Stormtrooper

2007-2008

As Stormtrooper responsible for online communication, my job at Strategy-Lab was to hone the message and get it out to the large community surrounding the research lab. In more practical terms I build a new website (which is no longer online due to closing of the original insitute), created a new visual identity and ran online newsletter campaigns.

Strategy-Lab in the top to funnest place I have ever worked. The combination of brilliant scientific personalities and a hard working team of young Stormtroopers, resulted in one of the most motivating environments I have ever experienced in an academic institution.

A bunch of companies

Freelance contract jobs

2004-2010

During my time in university I have worked on a wide range of freelance projects, with a lot of different companies. I have taught presentational techniques to theologists, designed email newsletters for academic institutions, installed wireless network in an office environment for creative professionals, been a Mac IT-supporter for one of the best selling photographers in the world and have done interface design for an online game. Besides that I have done consulting work on online business design.

AirConnect

Partner & CEO

2003-2005

After graduating from Vejle Technical Gymnasium in 2003, I started a company called AirConnect with some friends from school. We developed some of the best (or so we believed) Wifi Hotspot solutions for independent setups. We failed miserably, but I learned a lot. For example:

• Don't start a company with your friends, just because they are willing to take a chance also.
• Make pessimistic budgets, so you won't feel like a failure right away.
• Sell your products, don't just develop them.
• Your website should look good, but that is not it's purpose.