Fast Facts
Company: Siteplus
Title: Partner Account Manager
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Time spent in the domain industry: 10 Years
Favorite extension: .fun
Currently reading: The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
Your mentor: A friend and former CEO. He hired me early in my career and I’m still learning from him today.
Describe what your company does, why you chose this focus, and who benefits from the work that you do.
We launched Siteplus because there was an obvious need in the market for a website and online store builder that is easy-to-use, elegant, and feature-rich. Anybody with a keyboard and a web browser can design and build their site or online store with clicks instead of code. I’ve been working with Siteplus in various capacities since company inception and recently joined full-time. Joining was a no-brainer once I met the team and after deploying the product for a customer I was consulting.
NamesCon is all about business networking. Can you tell us a story about the success of a meeting at NamesCon?
Siteplus is a newcomer to NamesCon. We hope to meet as many of our legacy customers as possible, while showcasing our best-of-breed technology to help solidify new partnerships and business opportunities.
Can you tell us about how your service or product helps deliver value to your customers?
Siteplus is the turn-key, white-label solution that providers and small businesses have been asking for. We’re exclusively partner-focused enabling hosting companies, domain registrars, telcos, and agencies to maintain their brand identities, while complementing their current offerings with the best website and online store builder on the market (and one that was designed specifically for this purpose). Siteplus’ wholesale pricing, frictionless on-boarding, and robust functionality help differentiate us from other solutions on the market.
How does your career compare to what you envisioned in your youth?
As a child, I was fascinated by computers, gadgets, video games, and technology. Most people who know me would probably tell you that my career was somewhat foreseeable.
How would you describe what you do in a single sentence to a stranger?
I work with the coolest technology to help customers deploy beautiful, powerful websites and online stores without writing a single line of code.
Describe the latest and greatest accomplishment in your career.
I’m active in the startup community. Most recently, I’ve worked closely with two companies who were acquired.
Describe a recent challenge that you overcame.
I recently overcame an illness. It sounds clichéd, but I attribute the speed of my recovery to healthy diet, exercise, and positive thinking.
What are your thoughts on the new TLDs?
I tend to look at TDLs from a marketing perspective, as they are sticky and excellent for brand differentiation, localization, and personalization.
How has “GDPR” affected your business, if at all?
GDPR was needed. Of course, it has influenced our business, but it hasn’t really limited us.
What kinds of changes to you foresee in this industry within the industry in the next year? The next five years?
I think we’ll continue to see evolution in the way digital content is distributed and consumed, obviously with mobile devices in mind. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) will be more prevalent. Conversational commerce via messaging apps, chatbots, and AI will be help drive innovation in the e-commerce space.
What are the most innovative products or services that are currently impacting your business?
In the least year or two, there has been a consumer-driven e-commerce “boom.” As technologies continue to advance, more secure, easy-to-use, and turn-key mobile e-commerce sites have emerged. In fact, mobile and conversational commerce are now mainstream. On the other side, it’s never been easier for entrepreneurs and business owners to enter the market. Siteplus is excited about our e-commerce solution, as it offers the easiest and most user-friendly way to come online.
Who would you like to hear speak at NamesCon? Why?
No one name comes to mind, to be honest. I really like the current format because it gives attendees the chance to hear from peers. The sessions are not only relevant, but relatable.
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming NamesCon?
NamesCon attracts the “who’s who” of our industry. In addition to new business opportunities, we’re excited about what we can take away from the event in terms of knowledge and expertise. It’s also a great opportunity to have face-time with many of our customer in a casual, yet professional setting.
What industry trends or topics do you think will be at the forefront of panel and keynote discussions this year?
Cloud hosting, security, headless vs. decoupled architecture, and next-generation website builders.
What facts about you would surprise people?
I’m a fairly reserved person. So, friends and family are often surprised by some of my skills and hobbies because I don’t speak of them. For example, I have been trained in shoemaking and repair. Even my best friends do not know this. Otherwise, people are surprised to learn that I’ve lived in five different countries.
What was one of your biggest “Aha!” moments in life?
My career has required me to move around. In doing so, I’ve learned how to downsize and minimize. The “Aha” moment that comes to mind was the realization that I enjoy some degree of minimalism. This is true even in websites or applications that I like to use.
If you had fifteen extra minutes each day, what would you do with them?
I would use this time to relax. Perhaps, call a friend or relative who I haven’t talked to in long time.
What’s the most recent thing you learned (big or small)?
The gadget geek in me is proud of this. I learned how to install and manage smart-home devices (such as Nest, Ring, Amazon Echo, etc).
Who has been the biggest influence on your life, and what did they teach you?
Aside from my parents, it would have to be a friend and mentor. I was an early hire at his startup 10+ years ago. The same company is now a magic quadrant leader. The success of the company was due in large part to our relationship with our customers and industry knowledge. We were indoctrinated to do everything with the customer in mind, while always seeking new and innovative ways to solve the broader industry’s problems. Therefore, we were in constant R&D mode, with perpetual feedback from customers.
What are you proudest of in your life?
I’m most proud of the the fact that I’ve always had a fulfilling career. I’ve never had a job that I’ve hated. I’m doing exactly what I want to do in with my life.
Name three things you can’t travel without.
In addition to the essentials, I always carry a thumb-drive, extra phone charger, and beef jerky.
What object would you put in a time capsule that best represents who you are today?
Probably my passport, as it tells the story of my life in recent years.
Favourite place to escape?
I’m a “staycation” type of person. I spend approximately half of the year in Kyiv, where there are many beautiful parks. When I need to escape, my first choice would have to be a park somewhere in Kyiv.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
In my case, it was advice not given. I previously mentioned a friend and mentor. He only shares experiences and never gives advice. So, anytime I feel myself in need of advice, I try to learn about other people and their similar experiences. This helps me to keep more of an open mind and to draw my own conclusions.
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