Fast Facts
Domain Investor & Consultant at Brandovators
Twitter: @brandovators
LinkedIn: akirlew
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Time in the industry: 20+ Years
What’s your favorite extension: .COM
Tell us which domain name you wish you owned: Anthony.com
Name 3 things you can’t travel without: Laptop iPhone Notepad (for brainstorming)
In Depth
Who would you call your mentor?
I am grateful to have many amazing mentors in my life. It’s hard to name just one.
What kinds of changes do you foresee in this industry within the industry in the next year? The next 5 years?
We are already seeing a more broad acceptance of non Dot Com TLD’s as evidenced by the public sales reports (i.e. NameBio & DN Journal). I imagine that will continue, with Dot Com remaining the strongest and most valuable. The other change on the horizon is the potential challenges of integrating non ICANN domains (i.e. HNS, ETH, Unstoppable, etc.) into the current commercial web browsers (namely Chrome, Firefox, and Safari).
What are the current trends that are directly impacting your business?
Thankfully, businesses and brands are continuing to launch, grow, and expand so that has been good for the domain industry.
Describe a recent challenge that you overcame.
I convinced my wife that it was the best use of my time & money to attend NamesCon. 😉
What’s the most recent thing you learned (big or small)?
How to design home projects such as kitchen and bath remodels in CAD.
What are you most proud of?
Holding true to my character and integrity.
What fact about you would surprise people?
I think I am an open book, so this is a tough question. Here is one I probably don’t talk about. I have played the guitar in 4 continents (N. America, S. America, Africa, and Asia.)
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Be a person of your word and never compromise your integrity for anything.
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming NamesCon?
Connecting with people. I have met so many industry colleagues virtually over the past few years with the pandemic, so it will be nice to meet them in person.
How would you describe NamesCon to a new domainer?
It’s the best place you can be if you want to connect with – and learn from – some of the top minds in the domain industry. Additionally, domain investors are known for having fun… probably too much fun. 🙂
If you’re attending NamesCon Global 2022, you will get an email for the featured attendee form and help the NamesCon community learn more about you before you arrive in Austin!.
