Past Projects...
Funtastic Marketing (1993 - 1997)
One of my greatest challenges was trying to do business with a non-educated marketplace. People weren't ready to grasp the Internet's "worldwide" concept. It was too complex and also lacked the crucial "human" elements of communication. Undaunted by skeptics, I pursued the new technology. People didn't realize the Internet's full potential. To be honest, neither did I. All I knew was that it was going to be a huge communication tool. I didn't know I was getting in front of something so big.
I knew that I had to keep up or get run over. I wasn't much of a computer guy. I had to become computer savvy, which was like learning a whole new language, and stay tuned to the evolving Internet markets at the same time. Also, technology was rapidly changing. The "latest and greatest" one day could be outdated the next, so every day presented new challenges. Change is generally where opportunities lie, so I embraced them all. That's not to say it wasn't frustrating.
By mid 1994, AOL was reaching one million members, and websites were gaining momentum. Technology that was once only available to large companies was now accessible to small businesses and individuals. I recognized the need for local businesses to have an Internet presence and moved on to website design, multi-media, search engine optimization, marketing, and project development.
Before long, most people could relate to online technology, and by 1996 the Internet had exploded and was taking on a life of its own. That is when I first understood the quote, "Timing Beats Talent". Even though nine out of every 10 things I did were wrong, the marketplace was growing faster than I could make mistakes, and the things I did do right compounded quicker than I could have imagined. I learned the power of rapid growth and creating a leveraged residual income, and I finally realized what a former client meant by positioning myself in front of growth. I was on the fast track to success, and the timing couldn't have been better. In the following years, I was able generate millions of dollars in business from the comfort of his home.
My business associates and friends picked up on the rapid success and wanted tips on starting an Internet-related, home-based business. Unfortunately, I couldn't show them how to do it because it happened so fast, and timing was the key to my success. Looking back, I can see that I actually helped lay the foundation for the way the world communicates today.
I knew from the beginning that being self-employed wouldn't necessarily give me more free time, but it would give me a flexible schedule, depending on family and business needs. Some days, I worked around the clock, other days I chaperoned school field trips, spent late afternoons coaching little league and soccer, and helped care for the kids when they were sick. One of the greatest perks was being there every day when my wife and the kids returned from school.
Funmark Advertising, Inc. (1997 - Present)
In 1997, I changed my company's name to Funmark Advertising, Inc. and became incorporated for the many tax advantages associated with a rapidly growing company. The online market continued to grow. I knew as long as I could stay in the game and capture some of it I'd be okay.
Budget Hosting (1998 - 2000)
By mid 1998, the masses were hitting the Internet and websites were becoming increasingly popular. People needed hosting space for web sites. With little competition at the time, I launched Budget Hosting, a subsidiary of Funmark and once again positioned myself in front of a growing market. I was soon servicing several thousand clients, including seven percent based in Southeast Asia. I never did any advertising. It just happened. Within a year and a half, I had thousands of competitors and decided to sell this hosting division for several hundred thousand dollars to generate revenue for my next project.
Marylandinfo.com (2000 - Present)
While the Internet offers access to the world, some companies have no use for national or international exposure. In 2000, I founded Marylandinfo.com, also a subsidiary of Funmark. The Maryland-based search engine provides online advertising and marketing solutions for companies that want to target local Internet users. I have helped over 8,000 local businesses set up targeted traffic generation. Each year, the site has generated several million visitors.
Equal Hosting (2002 - Present)
People still need hosting space for web sites. However with a much more competitive marketplace, I launched another hosting company to help new and existing clients as an added convenience. Equal Hosting services several hundred clients and was done without any advertising.
Semi-Retirement at age 34 (2003)
By the end of 2002, I had built a leveraged residual income that came in with or without my daily involvement. I realized that it did not take age to retire and decided to semi-retire and spend more time fishing, a lifelong dream. In 2003, I fished on Chesapeake Bay nearly every day. While on the water, I brainstormed for ways to support my passion and started a sport fishing charter business, Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing, LLC. I also took time to acquire my U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain's license. I realized that even though I had financial independence and time freedom, I still needed something to do. I have never been one to stand still too long.
Out of Semi-Retirement (Winter 2003 - Present)
WHY? CLICK HERE to learn why I am more excited than ever about about Timing in the Marketplace.
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