Rich Swerbinsky

About Rich Swerbinsky

With over 30 years of experience in driving business growth, brand strategy, and innovation, I help companies and professionals elevate their presence, expand their reach, and achieve lasting success.As the Founder of Onward & Upward Consulting, I design customized growth strategies that empower businesses and individuals - whether they’re start-ups looking to break into the market, established enterprises ready to scale, or professionals aiming to build their personal brand and influence.Throughout my career, I’ve built businesses from the ground up, revitalized teams, and curated high-impact marketing and branding strategies that drive real results. From increasing operational efficiency to crafting compelling content that resonates with the right audience, I thrive on solving complex challenges with practical, execution-focused approaches.I also serve as the Executive Director of the Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association (OMBA), where I work to strengthen industry collaboration, support member growth, and advance the collective interests of mortgage professionals across Ohio.Whether you need strategic business planning, executive coaching, or a dynamic brand strategy, I bring a creative, entrepreneurial mindset to every engagement. Let’s connect and build something remarkable together.

Experience

1. Founder & Creative Director

   The Cardboard Jungle

   Aug 2021 — Present · Cleveland, OH, US

   Launched a chaotic, comedy-fueled sports card experience built for collectors who take the hobby way too seriously and not seriously at all—simultaneously. As one of eBay’s largest sellers of sports card singles, The Jungle ships thousands of hits each month to wax junkies, rainbow chasers, and parallel psychos across the nation.Lead all creative direction, brand voice, and marketing mischief, blending satire, sports nostalgia, and cardboard adrenaline into a weekly lineup of live-streamed breaks, unhinged emails, and promos that feel like ESPN collided with late-night sketch comedy.Responsibilities include- Hosting and producing live card breaks with new release hype and maximum hobby chaos- Writing Jungle-branded emails, social posts, and coupon codes that read like Mad Libs with CTE- Managing a break operation and eBay sales machine moving serious volume - daily auctions, BINs, and fire pulls- Cultivating a loyal community of sports degenerates and comedy fans one SP at a timeThink QVC for collectors with commitment issues and great taste in cardboard. That’s The Jungle. And I’m the ringmaster.

Skills

• Commercial Lending
• U.s. Department of Agriculture (Usda)
• Real Estate
• Credit
• Recruiting
• Management
• U.s. Federal Housing Authority (Fha)
• Credit Analysis
• Credit Risk
• Sales
• Business Development
• Underwriting
• Mortgage
• Mortgage Banking
• Usda
• Sports Writing
• Portfolio Management
• Loans
• Mortgage Lending
• Fha
• Refinance
• Residential Mortgages
• Banking
• Risk Management