Robb Monkman '05
Position: Founder & CEO, React Mobile
Industry: Software
Lesson Learned: Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. Risks can lead to failure, but learning from your failures and having the ability to persevere until you succeed is the essence of entrepreneurship.
It was among like-minded students with a passion for putting ideas into action that my love for startups began. At the time of my enrollment, LMU was one of the initial universities with a structured entrepreneurship program, and as a student, I developed a passion for finding solutions to everyday needs. I started two businesses while attending LMU and one of them was based on a business plan that I wrote in Dr. Choi’s entrepreneurship class. Professors Fred Kiesner and David Choi helped give me the confidence to pursue my entrepreneurial endeavors. Since graduating from LMU, I’ve had the opportunity to work at a number of startups in various industries. While attending LMU, I launched a food, nightlife and event website and was one of the founders of an online social network targeting nonprofits. Prior to founding React Mobile, I served as marketing director for a software company marketing advanced networking and tactical emergency communications software to the Department of Defense (DoD) and to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Currently, I’m serving as the founder and CEO of React Mobile, a personal safety app for iPhone and Android that is helping to enhance the safety of our communities. React Mobile helps you turn your smartphone into a powerful lifeline. The app’s “Follow-me” feature allows you to have your friends and family track you in real-time whenever you’re concerned for your safety. With the push of a button, you can send an SOS alert containing your GPS coordinates to select emergency contacts via text message and email with an option for an alert to be posted on Facebook and Twitter. Once the SOS alert is activated, you’re automatically prompted to dial the authorities. Throughout my career I’ve worked exclusively at startups in many industries. The lessons learned and experience gained has been unmatched and I continue to set goals, learn and grow. Overcoming the challenges associated with running my own business and achieving my goals is what drives me everyday.