About Michael

Michael’s background includes successfully running both small and large organizations in multiple industries.

A serial entrepreneur, Michael was the co-founder of GoLiveSMS, which has quickly become the nation’s leading SMS provider focused on enterprise messaging for the financial services and healthcare industries. He also ran operations for ventures in the music industry, and spent two years coaching high tech entrepreneurs on behalf of the SBA.

As a corporate executive, Michael spent 20 years in the financial services industry working with companies as varied as TRW Information Systems, CompuServe and Beneficial Finance, American Express, Great Western Bank, First Interstate Bancorp and as an advisor to Visa USA

Michael’s track record of success has made him a sought-after speaker and educator. He speaks on topics ranging from entrepreneurship to business transformation to privacy policy before organizations including the National Retail Federation, the Direct Marketing Association and the IEEE.

Scharf holds an MBA from California State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Northwestern University.