Biggest Decision of My Life – Thanks to Domaining
OK, so the title may be a bit dramatic but I truly feel the decision I made a few weeks back and executed this morning may be the most important decision I have made outside of children and marriage.
Today I walked away from a six figure income at a leading technology company to focus on starting my own business. After 15 years in the corporate world it was time to take that leap and believe in the possiblities of what I can create and what has been created over the past several months. I could tell for sometime that I had really lost the passion for next generation telecommunication networks (I had been involved in carrier class VoIP networks all the way back in 1996 at ATT) and my heart just was not in that piece of the communication world.
As many of you know I am a big fan of Geo domains and believe now is the time to act to create a business to take advantage of the shift to "hyperlocal" search that we all have seen as part of the domaining community. Back in December I had an idea for a business model that would allow for certain customer types to be targeted more effectively than they have in the past and along with some other services would create an online marketing solution for small businesses that could not be matched by other media and technology companies.
Initially I had planned to stay in the shadows a bit and let my business partner work the sales front and I would provide technology and marketing vision and drive the company from that side while I worked a rather demanding full time job. It would not be possible to provide much time to this endeavour and it was only fair to the company paying my paycheck that I gave them full effort on a daily , nightly, every minute of the day basis.
After the intial alpha launch of our site the intial reaction and success showed that we were onto something that would scale well and create a solid revenue stream for the company rather rapidly. But at the same time, once you see the possibilities you see that committing yourself fully could make the business much more than if you focused only part time.
So, after a few months of very deep soul searching I realized, do what I love. If you work on what you enjoy you will be successful, although there will be stress starting a business (Although strangely I feel none), at the end of the day the freedom and fullfillment you get from creating something and watching it grow is so much better than the daily corporate grind. We have only been operational for a short time but the experience of watching customers react in such a positive manner is that much better when it is something you created (with a team, and never forget that).
Thanks to the domaining community for giving me the ability to create such a business. The support and advice I have received from the domaining and development community has been great.
Lesson learned here, develop, develop, develop, find an idea that is interesting and works from the business side AND that you will enjoy and good things will happen. Find a hole and fill it, provide solid service at a fair price. People will buy.
It is a GREAT DAY!
Congrats Bruce! I’m happy to hear that! You will have a lot of fun in the next few years!
Thanks Andrew! The fun has already started:)
Congrats Bruce! Best of luck to you in your new venture
As always, only BEST wishes.
You’re a smart guy, and a nice guy…
you’ll do well
Keep us little guys in mind when you make it big!
Wish I had the cojones to do the same… maybe a little further down the road. Best of Luck!
Thanks much guys. Life is good:)
The trick is finding the right idea. The thing I have learned is it doesn’t have to be the next twitter, facebook, etc . Just something that people want and a good price (and the right pitch). Underserved markets help too:)
Congrats Bruce and good luck!
Bruce,
That was a great decision. I left working full-time 3 years ago to work domaining full time and it’s been great. The best thing is that I work out of my house while I get to be with my twin 18 month year old daughters everyday. I wish you luck and I will be in touch.
Thanks, Jim
Jim,
Thanks. I have worked from home for awhile but even so i didnt really ever have the time to leave my office to head up stairs to be with the kids much. One of the reasons for doing this is a quality of life thing. There is something to be said for that in itself.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,
Bruce
My wishes of success Bruce.
Good Luck for the future Bruce!
Im sure someone with you skills and attidude shall suceed!
I have always said nothing ventured nothing gained, you need to take a little risk in life to reap the rewards and Im sure you shall get those rewards!
Good Luck!
Rob
Congratulations!
I’ve been waiting to here this from you. You won’t regret it! I am here if you need me.
Bruce – I’ve only been to your site once or twice before but was surprised you weren’t already working for yourself. I’ve found that the tough part is not in starting the business, its in managing the growth. Early on you can handle all the work yourself and you don’t worry about staffing issues, ROI, etc. but you control all of those – they are your inputs. With growth you must create processes and structure in such a way as to enable others to contribute. That’s harder than it looks, b/c you’ll typically be having to hire people who aren’t as experienced or as invested as yourself. Anyhow, just one man’s thoughts here. Running a small business is great. Sure its a bit stressful, but I wouldn’t trade it for a corporate gig for anything. Well check that. Any recruiters out there – I would trade it, but the money would have to be just plain silly.
PS – drop me an email about your project if you don’t mind…
That’s fabulous! Congratulations and good luck!
Welcome to the club!
I didn’t know that you are a great fan of Geo Domains!
I have some city domains in my portfolio. Check them out!
Bruce, I’ve said it already elsewhere in our talks, but I want to make it public here that I think you really made the right choice, and it’s great to have you in our ranks.
I think many domainers, such as Tia and others, will support your move to start your own business focused on domains. Count me in.
Congrats again! wait…. I hear the crowd in the stadium… they are shouting….
“BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!”
Go for it!
Stephen Douglas
Way to go Bruce!
Congratulations. May God guide you in all your endevours.
Bruce – very exciting news. Congratulations!
Bruce,
Congrats! Wishing you nothing but success!
Wow, where do I even start with the thanks. What a great community we have in the domaining world.
It is amazing how big a change this is in someones life and how little stress I have doing it and how at peace I am with it. At one point I actually felt really bad because I had friends that were laid off a few weeks ago when I knew I was leaving. It was amazing to see the contrast at that point between the folks that were really stressed about losing their jobs in this economy, at any other point in my life I would of been just as stressed. Instead though I was actually rather disappointed I was not laid off.
But, as always, its better to do it on your terms, which is what I did. I should say that the people that I work with daily were absolutely great in dealing with it. When companies are so short handed sometimes there can be bitterness when people leave since it creates more work for others.
Anyway, thanks to all for the support. You guys and gals are all great!!!
Congrats Bruce!!!
I’ve been self-employed for over five years now and couldn’t imagine working for anyone again. The freedom of doing what you want when you want is worth more than a six figure income.
Congrats
Best of luck… I’m sure you’ll do well!
Best of luck Bruce!
I’v been getting ready for the jump as well, (..but I need some back up plans to do it,..)
This takes a lot of courage, and it’s inspiring what you’ve done. Well done.
best wishes from
deliciousMauritius.com
Ritz
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Tia, has anyone mentioned you ROCK today!
Congrats Bruce, good to see you moving forward with that project full-time. I had a feeling you were going to move in that direction. Certainly a big decision, but I’m sure it will work out great for you! Gotta do what you enjoy or there’s just no point.
Bruce – Best of luck. Your plan is sound and you will be successful if you stick to it.
Hi Bruce,
Congratulations from what I have heard, I believe you will be successful. There is nothing like taking and idea and watch it grow.
I also plan to start developing something that is popular all over the world, I have many names but I will start with wine.
Again good luck, you will do fine. Involve your family I’ll bet they will give you some great idea’s.
Happy 4th
Dick St Cyr
Bruce,
Congrats on taking such a bold step…sounds like you have a business model that is very promising, good luck! I know that it must ‘ve been eally tough to make that decision…but this business is full of opportunities (even during such tough times!). But just like you pointed out…if you find a niche and fill it, people will buy (I’ve been “seriously” domaining since I was laid off from my job this past October…but so far, I have no regrets at all…I’m working from home and totally enjoying the freedom of working as my own boss – and doing the type of work that I love – rather than working a 9-5 (and of course, I’m enjoying this beautiful San Diego sunshine)! So getting laid off was the best thing to ever happen to me…otherwise, I would probably still be working a regular job.
Good Luck I did the same!
PeopleSearches.com
Congrats bruce. Hope for the best for you!
Good decision Bruce! And good luck with the project. I dedicated myself in 100% to domaining and domain development few months ago, so I exactly know what you feel
Bruce, I think I’d knew from way back since the day we associated on your dream project that you were going to walk away from that six figure income and turn it around to something better
Good luck & I really hope you succeed bud. I’m always around so you know what to do!!
Great news Bruce, you have definitely empowered a number of readers with your post. Domaining is truly one of the best industries to be in right now and the fact that you have created a business built on this industry is truly amazing. I would say good luck in your venture, but you won’t need any! You know what you are doing and best of all you love what you are doing! In the end that is all that counts.
Thanks all, always great when you cannot keep up with responding to the comments coming in:) I really was excited to put this post out to make sure people heard something other than the negative news they here on the news everyday. There is good stuff happening, and money to be made. Just a matter of making it happen.