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AlanEzeir
Global Domains International##comma## Inc. | a@ws.ws | Co-founder | 01/08/2003 | CEO
Alan Ezeir is the co-founder and President of Global Domains International Inc.##comma## the sole registry provider for .WS (Web Site) domain names on the Internet located in San Diego##comma## CA.
What kind of training or education did you acquire before your venture?
I have been involved in 4 start-ups. 3 in the Telecommunication business and 1 in the domains business. I am married (5 years) and have 2 kids
What services or products does your organization offer?
Located in Carlsbad (San Diego)##comma## CA##comma## Global Domains International##comma## Inc. provides .WS domain extensions to everyone in the world. We currently have customers in over 180 countries
What type of business or organization do you operate?
California S Corporation was choosen since there is not a lot of necessary capital infrastructure and plenty of margin and profitability yet not large enough to be a public company
How many employees do you currently have?
12
How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
trial and error and the growth of the internet
How did you originally fund your organization?
self funded with money made from another start up that my partner and I were running at the time
Are you the founder of your organization?
Co-founder##comma## Mike Reed is the other founder
Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.
laid back and hard working. Young group (average age is 30)
What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
We grew too fast and had to down size from 50 people to 12 and moved from 18##comma##000 square feet to 3##comma##000. We were able to get through this since I always look at the bottomline and make sure the cash flow is there. We cut the size of the company in time.
Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
Important to surround yourself with people that are smarter than you. This is the case for anything you do in your life
Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
SCEA (Southern California Entreprenuership Academy)
What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
hard work##comma## good timing##comma## diligent with cash flow
What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
constantly looking for ways to be different and better
What types of marketing do you employ?
direct email##comma## direct mail##comma## wholesale distribution
Do you employ any web or online marketing?
The Internet. Gives me a large audience of people
What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
All the mistakes I made were due to my inexperience. Growing too fast and getting caught up in the 1999 economy was the toughest
Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
since I was 15 years old
What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
read any self help books and always look at the glass as half full
Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
We are getting back to reality in business (1997-2000 was a big smoke screen). I see us finally taken advantage of technology to cut of the middlemen in most businesses
Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
important … just important
What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
I only received a BA. I think an MBA is nice but not necessary
What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
Do what you say your are going to do
