It's been nearly two months since I announced I was resigning from Tucows to launch my own boutique domain name consulting firm. A lot of my friends and colleagues have been asking me how it's going so I figured that was a good topic for a blog post.
First of all, I was overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I received from so many people. I was particularly touched by one business associate who told me that if I ever needed office space there would always be a desk for me at his downtown agency. Thank you to everyone who took the time to reach out.
I was also surprised to get calls and emails from people who said that my decision to head out on my own, and my reasons for doing so, was a real inspiration to them. To think that my personal decision would have a positive impact and ripple effect on other people really moves me.
From a business perspective, things have gotten off to a flying start. Within hours of announcing my decision to launch my own company I received several inquiries from potential clients (many of whom are now active clients) and I am still catching up on the various leads I've gotten since then. It was very gratifying to see that there was pent up demand for the kind of services I'm offering. My hunch was right.
One thing I wasn't expecting was the flood of people wanting me to help them sell their domain names. I had not planned to offer any services in this regard but based on the volume of requests I have been getting for that I am working on a few solutions. This was a key topic of conversation I had with my domain industry colleagues at the TRAFFIC conference in Vegas earlier this month. Between us I believe we've come up with some good ideas.
I will say that the first week after leaving Tucows was surreal. After five and a half years of intense focus on the business unit I ran – the longest consecutive period I have ever worked anywhere – it took some time adjusting to not having all that activity and a team around me. On the other hand I love the fact I can really focus on a few key things now instead of juggling hundreds.
Another surprising thing, to me at least, is that I'm not stressed. I am by nature a bit of a worrywart yet I've been generally calm and collected this whole time period. Everything seems to be falling into place nicely and I'm leaving room for new opportunities to present themselves, and they have. I think there's a lesson here about trusting your gut.
I've really been enjoying the projects I've been working on. So far most of the work has been helping startups and entrepreneurs acquire their dream domain name, although I've also been doing some consulting around the secondary market and domain sales. It's very tangible, meaningful work and I'm relishing every second of it. I am blessed to have a great bunch of clients.
The startup community has really embraced my service offering and I'm having a ball attending various startup events and networking with these passionate entrepreneurs and the VCs that are funding them. Luckily for me Toronto, where I am based, is going through another startup boom. I find the energy and unpretentiousness of this crowd really invigorating.
So, in a nutshell, everything's going well and I have no regrets. I do miss my Tucows posse but we are staying in touch and I stopped by the old office last week to say hi.
Speaking of staying in touch, I quietly launched an email newsletter a month ago. If you'd like to receive the occasional update from me, you can subscribe to my email newsletter here.
Onwards and upwards!
First of all, I was overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I received from so many people. I was particularly touched by one business associate who told me that if I ever needed office space there would always be a desk for me at his downtown agency. Thank you to everyone who took the time to reach out.
I was also surprised to get calls and emails from people who said that my decision to head out on my own, and my reasons for doing so, was a real inspiration to them. To think that my personal decision would have a positive impact and ripple effect on other people really moves me.
From a business perspective, things have gotten off to a flying start. Within hours of announcing my decision to launch my own company I received several inquiries from potential clients (many of whom are now active clients) and I am still catching up on the various leads I've gotten since then. It was very gratifying to see that there was pent up demand for the kind of services I'm offering. My hunch was right.
One thing I wasn't expecting was the flood of people wanting me to help them sell their domain names. I had not planned to offer any services in this regard but based on the volume of requests I have been getting for that I am working on a few solutions. This was a key topic of conversation I had with my domain industry colleagues at the TRAFFIC conference in Vegas earlier this month. Between us I believe we've come up with some good ideas.
I will say that the first week after leaving Tucows was surreal. After five and a half years of intense focus on the business unit I ran – the longest consecutive period I have ever worked anywhere – it took some time adjusting to not having all that activity and a team around me. On the other hand I love the fact I can really focus on a few key things now instead of juggling hundreds.
Another surprising thing, to me at least, is that I'm not stressed. I am by nature a bit of a worrywart yet I've been generally calm and collected this whole time period. Everything seems to be falling into place nicely and I'm leaving room for new opportunities to present themselves, and they have. I think there's a lesson here about trusting your gut.
I've really been enjoying the projects I've been working on. So far most of the work has been helping startups and entrepreneurs acquire their dream domain name, although I've also been doing some consulting around the secondary market and domain sales. It's very tangible, meaningful work and I'm relishing every second of it. I am blessed to have a great bunch of clients.
The startup community has really embraced my service offering and I'm having a ball attending various startup events and networking with these passionate entrepreneurs and the VCs that are funding them. Luckily for me Toronto, where I am based, is going through another startup boom. I find the energy and unpretentiousness of this crowd really invigorating.
So, in a nutshell, everything's going well and I have no regrets. I do miss my Tucows posse but we are staying in touch and I stopped by the old office last week to say hi.
Speaking of staying in touch, I quietly launched an email newsletter a month ago. If you'd like to receive the occasional update from me, you can subscribe to my email newsletter here.
Onwards and upwards!
Domain name expert Bill Sweetman is the President & Lead Ninja of Name Ninja, a boutique domain name consulting firm that helps companies acquire, manage, protect, and profit from their domain names. Bill has provided strategic domain name advice to major companies around the world for over 20 years.
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Thanks for your inspiring story, Bill. It reminds me to take a risk rather than regretting never trying. I look forward to reading updates in your email newsletter.
Posted by: Kassey | June 10, 2013 at 09:53 PM
Well I quit my job from hell so anything was better for me. I had former colleagues make snide remarks and smirks and others didn't give a dam about me. So I can honestly say my experience out there was nothing but a bunch of greedy, no good bastards. It is great you have such good support from and so many friends. I had no trouble quitting my job and will never look back.
Steve
www.wordunscrambler.com
Posted by: steve | June 11, 2013 at 12:30 AM
Bill -- you've built up such phenomenal karma within the industry over nearly two decades of being one of the "good guys" this response is not a surprise to me! Congrats on the new business and can't wait to see you take it to the moon. -- chris @kineticcafe
Posted by: Chris Carder | June 12, 2013 at 10:10 AM