MASON CITY – A North Iowa man who in recent months joined the Mason City Chamber of Commerce beat a theft charge earlier this year.
Reece Ronson Ristau, 22, came to the Mason City area in recent months. He has provided a Lu Verne, Iowa address and is formerly of Algona.
Ristau claims to be the owner of a business called “Optimum Marketing : Profit Before You Pay”. On the Mason City Chamber of Commerce website, the business is described this way: “We’ve invested nearly 6 years and more than $3,000,000 engineering this system to guide you, step by step, through optimizing your business and Maximizing Your Success.™ 100% Results Guaranteed.”
On Friday afternoon, June 21st, NIT contacted the chamber of commerce in a nearby North Iowa community where Reece Ristau was said to be a member. When asked if Ristau was still a member at that chamber, the woman on the phone said “He was briefly. He is not anymore.” Then NIT was told to wait for a phone call from the chamber director, which came on Monday, June 24th at about 4:15 PM.
“He had paid his dues. He presents himself very professionally at first,” the chamber director said, on condition of anonymity for this story. After stating that “red flags” had come up, the source stated that “we returned his dues check to him.”
“He mis-represented himself to other chamber members,” the chamber director continued, stating that Ristau had presented a Lu Verne, Iowa address to their organization. The source characterized the chamber’s relationship with Ristau as “very negative” and said that his information did “not match”.
“I visited with our county economic development office and our board. We determined that this was not a person that we want representing the chamber,” the source said.
This source, who, again, is the director at a chamber of commerce in a nearby North Iowa community, said that the Mason City Chamber of Commerce was warned months ago about Ristau, who is currently a member there.
“I was met with indifference,” the source said. “I spoke to (Mason City Chamber Director) Robin Anderson last November. She said ‘we know what we are doing.'”
The Mason City Chamber of Commerce did not return a phone call this week, seeking information on their criteria for accepting new members.
The Mason City Chamber scheduled Reece Ristau for a guest appearance on its “Be Our Guest” radio program on January 11th, 2013, according to its January newsletter. On a very large business card (see below) that Ristau handed an NIT associate, Ristau lists the Mason City Chamber of Commerce as one of eight “Key Afiliations” (sic).
Ristua was arrested after an incident on February 13th, 2013 at Hy-Vee West in Mason City for shoplifting $80 worth of merchandise, police confirmed last week. “Other than that, he’s had a couple minor involvements with the MCPD on traffic stops, etc.,” officer Mike McKelvey stated. “The 5th Degree Theft charge was dismissed because the employee store witness (complainant) did not show up for the court date.”
One of the reported incidents with Ristau involving police took place at the Mason City Library. A source close to the Mason City library told NIT that “A lot of the staff was leery of him as he was always hanging out with teen girls. Some thought he was homeless.” The source said that Ristau has not been back to the library since. “He is never in the library anymore,” the source said. Library Director Mary Markwalter could not confirm the incident. “I am not aware of the situation you describe,” she said. In a text message to an NIT associate, Ristau confirmed in general that there was an incident involving him at the Mason City Library. In the text message, from the phone number on his business card, Ristau said “I was helping a 16 year old with some art and business stuff in one of the study rooms. Staff have been very sheepish ever since.”
Ristau’s most serious charge occurred in Algona. Algona Police Chief Curtis Schipper was tight-lipped about the incident, which occurred in 2009 when Ristau was 18. “The original Call For Service came on April 2, 2009. Charges filed on June 10th, 2009. He was charged with 2nd degree theft” a class D felony. Schipper said that Ristau received a deferred judgement. The item has been removed from Ristau’s online record.
Narcissistic sociopath. If he had wealthy parents, he could get a prestigious degree and run for president on a family values platform (while spending lots of time with all the high schoolers at the local library).
Not sure how he attended MIT Sloan School of Management in 2007 since he didn’t graduate from Algona High School until 2009…. Also is going by the alias Ronson Sovereign now… The felony charge referenced was for stealing AHS property and selling it on Ebay.
What’s up, constantly i used to check weblog posts here in the
early hours inn the dawn, as i like to learn more and more.
my page; republican 101
Reece Ristau is the fakest person I have ever known. He seems nice and smart at first and is very smart but uses it to take advantage of others. He is a pathological liar and can not be trusted. He is by far not a normal person and personally I think he should be in a mental institution.
I’m sure NIT would be interested in hearing about your troubles with this person. Email northiowatoday@gmail.com with the details.
Funny how a person does something so minor, and “Journalists” (gosip hungry wtiter-want-to-be’s)Just eat it up like its just the best thing ever. If he’d done something so horrible like you try and play it to be, he would have been in alot more trouble with the police, and not some small town gossip site. I find the entirity of this a complete waise of time.
“waise of time” … giggle. your fourth grade teacher called, she said “tole ya’ll that idiot kid din’t pay no attenshun”
Oh I’m sorry, It seems I’ve made a typo?
Waste of time.
My browser doesn’t have spell check.
Its only human. Way to be judgmental over something so simple!
Sounds to me that it looks kind of like a cross between an action coach / lean manufacturing, Matt if you would with his cooperation get some references from bonafide businesses and ask them, we could see if he’s truthfully representing or if he’s a fraud. At least give him a chance to redeem himself or dig his grave.
Thank you, Jeremy, finally some logic to this madness.
How we do this due-diligence part of the process is set up a group coaching webinar, with some of our coaches and current clients, so interested, qualified business prospects can see, first hand, how the program works, some strategies we teach, how others are implementing them, and have their questions answered.
Simply contact me to apply:
1-(800)-979-1501 ext. 201
(515)-200-9383
Reece@ReachingOptimum.com
http://www.imgrind.com/top-5-online-lead-generation-scams-to-be-avoided/
Just sayin’.
Good point!
Everyone take a look at that link to see what fraudulent programs really look like.
Thanks for that, Sikastupd. 🙂
Reece Ronson Ristau, you’re no Kevin Trudeau…
Get rich schemes eh? Sounds like the shell games of old. Ya pays yer money, ya takes yer chances!
Observer, please note: We do not take payment, nor payment info, until AFTER our clients’ FREE TEST DRIVE, during which we teach them how to optimize their marketing and increase their revenue by a MINIMUM of $10,000.
If they aren’t satisfied with the results (which I have yet to witness) they simply don’t sign up as a member and we part as friends, after making every reasonable attempt to satisfy them (again, I’ve yet to receive communication, from anyone, expressing dissatisfaction with our program.
$10,000 is hardly getting rich, though the cumulative increase certainly holds such potential, and it’s not quick, in the sense of requiring little effort or time, though it is “quick”, as opposed to years of struggling and failing to reach your business’ full potential.
It’s quite simply stated in our Trademarked Guarantees:
Profit BEFORE You Pay™
No Results – NO FEE™
It’s all a bunch of mumbo-jumbo marketing ploys. In reality, if someone wants a product or service, they look on their own, and not because someone called them or sent an e*mail, invading their privacy.
To state a $10,000 profit on a free trial, seems misleading or too good to be true. If the process is so good, others would have brought it to light, and not keep it some deep dark secret. Such schemes, if authentic, would be taught in schools of business. Real businessmen and women would not deal with some door-to-door salesman, but a trusted source with a bonafide background.
If you cannot be up front about it, it ain’t worth it. Period.
I completely agree, though you don’t have the full picture.
I and more than 300 other business coaches, around the world, some of the best and brightest, use this program to help thousands of clients optimize their business.
On my card, I state, “My partners and I..” with Karl Bryan being one of them, one of my fellow coaches and co-founder of this system. Look him up, call him and ask about me if you wish. He has made millions of dollars coaching OPEN MINDED business owners who have the vision and drive to take their businesses to the next level..a rare breed around here, which is another reason I’m testing this market, for the challenge..though it’s beginning to seem like people around here are hopelessly small-minded..to their own disadvantage.
As far as business school goes, that is laughable.
The most applicable information I’ve learned has come from real life experience, in the trenches, through programs like ours, that teach you applicable strategies that you can implement right away and see results.
My formal schooling has been a good foundation though not nearly as useful in the “real world”.
The stuff we teach isn’t your typical MBA material, it’s fringe, that’s why it works so damn well. That’s why we have such BOLD (not misleading) guarantees and put OUR OWN NECKS out there by offering one month of FREE coaching to PROVE what we say.
That’s as far from a scam as you can get.
You also hit on one of the biggest challenges we face as coaches: Business owners are notorious for resisting input and help, needing to prove to themselves and others that they can conquer things on their own. Those that need us the most are most often the ones that don’t seek out help and end up one of the 95%+ of businesses that fail.
The bottom line is, whether or not you feel it is mumbo jumbo, there is NO RISK, nothing to lose and so much to gain for someone with the vision and drive to actually implement what we teach them.
At no point, through any of your research, did you contact me for an interview.
Poor show, Matt.
None of you have ever called me to question me.
I have never asked any of you for money.
To the commenter who mentioned me being fidgety, some of what you said was remembered wrong or blatantly misrepresented and I’d love to discuss it with you to set the record straight.
I was quite nervous as I had been an introverted computer geek until the last couple years. That’s one of the primary reasons I’m in Mason CIty, to develop my people skills in a small market.
To the person who mentioned Ecuador, I know who you are and I must laugh at you, as I said that is where I’d like to move and I have friends who live there who own a business. I never said I own a business there. Also, I didn’t say I own a multi-million dollar business in CA, I mentioned my finance business, http://www.FundingHERO.com, based out of Santa Ana, CA, where I source my lenders.
I gave you a $200 gift card. I gave you a BIRTHDAY gift, yet you subscribe to this nonsense? Tell me…who is getting the short stick in this scam, eh?
Yes, let’s discuss Optimum Business Academy.
First, check it out for yourself:
http://www.OptimumBusiness.org
Members Only Section Preview: http://www.ReachingOptimum.com
Read my “very large business card” (which is actually a Bio Card, not a business card, I have separate business cards, but that is just an insignificant point that illustrates the inaccuracy of this whole article) and you’ll see it says “My partners and I…”
I never claimed that our program was funded with my own cash alone. I have alliances and investors. Does anyone care to criticize that, as well?
All I offered to any of you is a FREE 30 Day Test Drive, for which no payment information is collected, and we guarantee that we will teach you how to add at least $10,000 to your bottom line within that 30 days. (That’s in one month, not on a monthly basis, as misunderstood, above)
Only after someone is completely satisfied with their FREE experience with our program are they offered a paid membership, which they can cancel at any time.
Profit BEFORE You Pay™
No Results – NO FEE™
Where is the scam in that?
As far as STARSCAPES®, the “star paintings”, that is the art business I am helping that girl from the library with, as I stated. Her parents are fully aware of our dealings and approve.
I HAVE been back to the library many times since, actually, and even with her on a number of occasions.
As far as the Hy Vee theft incident, I was hanging with the wrong friends, trying to impress the wrong people, but have since cut them off. I learned a great lesson on choosing my associations wisely.
If you want the full story on the Algona Chamber incident, call Kevin Lynch, a 40+ year member of that Chamber. (515)-295-3738
They railroaded me out due to small town politics.
My miswording on a flyer, one misplaced word, was all they needed for an excuse to get rid of me like they had wanted to all along. They should have asked me to simply correct the word, knowing I am new to Chamber etiquette, as the Mason City Chamber did when I used a potentially misrepresenting word, which I immediately changed.
The theft incident in high school was a mistake that I have paid for many times over.
To be fair, much of it was a misunderstanding, though I certainly admit my error.
It’s much to long of a story for right here but I will be more than happy to tell you if you call me: (515)-200-9383
It sounds like Matt is willing to do an interview with me, like he should have before writting this, so STAY TUNED.
Mr. Ristau,
First and foremost, you are fully aware that I have spoken to you on the phone. We discussed your “profit before you pay” business, how you speak Russian, do voice-overs and your world travels. You have also discussed much of this with an NIT associate via text, which are all photographed and kept here in our office. That’s two contacts from NIT you have communicated with. By the way, Mr. Ristau, you have a very creative mind, especially when it comes to making women happy.
Second, at no time did NIT pass judgement on you or your business. All the facts in the story were confirmed from very strong sources, including police officers and respected business persons and, in fact, corroborated by you. Your explanations that this is all a misunderstanding and not a “scam” or whatever is fine if you would like to stick to that. I’m sure as a Chamber of Commerce member in Mason City you will have plenty of opportunities to sell your product and be successful. The facts were reported and NIT readers are allowed to take the information for what it is worth. How is it that you think NIT came to be aware of you, Mr. Ristau? I will tell you. Concerned citizens brought your presence here in Mason City to my attention. Why would they be concerned if they did not perceive a possible problem?
Third, I am very happy to offer you an on-camera video interview. You may call the NIT office at 515-897-1144 to arrange that.
You spoke with me on the phone last fall, when I first came to town, to interview me about Optimum Business Academy. I showed up for the interview, waited, you never showed. I believe we tried to reschedule but it didn’t work out.
That communication was, in no way, indicative of your reporting on these matters and you should have called me, again, prior to publishing this.
Of course the story certainly would not have been as juicy, so I understand your desire to the contrary.
I never argued any FACTS in your “story”.
I’m countering the misinterpretations, misrepresentations, and premature judgements conveyed by the concerned citizens who deem anything out of the ordinary to be worrisome and gossip-worthy.
For example, a few days ago I was sitting in my vehicle, in a public parking lot, on a telephone meeting, and a lady reported to the police that I was sitting there taking pictures. I talked to the officers who responded and they quickly apologized, saying I clearly wasn’t taking pictures.
They parted in a friendly manner, I finished my call and was on my way.
Or the incident with the Library, which you wrote about, where I simply talked to the officers who responded to the complaint, and they quickly saw there was no issue and parted on a positive note.
People twist unordinary, but benign, events into extraordinarily “juicy” situations.
I would like to do an interview. I am in communication with some advisors and my attorney and will contact you soon to schedule.
Thank you for your concern for the community, Matt.
Peter L. take off you slanted political glasses, the dems are just as full of scammers as the repub. The difference between you and me is when I smell a rat it is a rat regardless of political party. You look at party affiliate before you make judgments. Dems cannot do anything wrong and the repub cannot do anything right. You writings are not worth reading.
Matt — Great job. More stories (and followups) like this one are great! Plus, the amount of “citizen journalism” is also good to see. Matt CAN’T do it all, keep your eyes and ears open. As a news reporter for WHO Radio once said, “Everyone with a smartphone is a journalist now — for better or worse.” He’s correct! Citizen journalism will help NIT to flourish and grow! Keep it up!
I suspect Robin has the hots for this guy.
FROM NIT STAFF: Please do not attack the other persons making comments. Thank you.
Yeah, that’s Matt’s job!
Robin probably recruited him to screw the citizens of MC.. She loves that sort of thing.
I love how he claims to have invested five years in this and 3 million dollars, I guess he started when he wss 17. haha
Harvard Extension is to Harvard University as The Alternative School is to Mason City High School.
I am in the alty( As my name stated) and would like to point out you’ve probably never set foot into the alternitave high school. Graduation rates are going up by the year. Last year I believe 44 students out of 70 graduated, and about 50 were seniors. One student managed to get 22 credits in a year where the only allowence of credits per year in the high school adverages about 12. The alternitave students aren’t all here because they’re troubled, I happened to transfer because of the envirnment. One of my friends did the same and graduated early. I prefer to work out of a textbook and learn better and faster that way.Its flexable here, and they are a no-funny-business envirnment. You get kicked out for verry little, even cell phone violations.
nice article. glad you put some light on this. Hope he didn’t scam anyone.
Just another scam artist who prays on hard working people. There are a lot of them out there. Good job Matt in finding out about this scum.
OMG!! This guy was at my door in Mason City two days ago. His tale about MIT and Harvard Extension (?) and ownership of multi-million dollar businesses in California and Ecuador seemed very odd for a guy going door to door to do custom paint jobs on ceilings.
I read this story with great interest. This guy stopped into our business this past winter, and I spent about 15 minutes talking to him. He made a lot of claims about making our business successful thru his program, when he handed me his card I read the part that said he would bring in 10,000 dollars and he told me this was per month in extra profit. I being the common sense man and a firm believer in if it sounds too good to be true then it is…looked at him and said ” that’s a very strong statement”. at that point he got a little fidgety and was looking for an exit. He also represented himself as affialated with the chamber and used Robin Andersons name and saying a lot of chamber members were on board with his program.
I questioned him about being a graduate of MIT, and the Harvard extension society whatever that is. He got even more fidgety at that point and finally said he would bring his business partner with him tomorrow to talk to me and I said if you can back it up what your claiming by all means come back and we will sit down and talk. He never showed up again.
According to a friend of mine he was in his business as well and was trying to sell some kind of celing paint that looked like a night sky…probably one of those things you pay in advance and he never shows up to do it.
The guy is nothing but a scam artist, and will eventually end up where he belongs which is in prison.
by the way Matt this was a nice piece of investigative journalism…well researched and written.
Thanks for your perspective here and appreciate your readership. Your comment adds perspective to the story.
Sounds like a perfect match for our Chamber. Another shady POS.