Managing Director
NamePros
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Fast Facts
Location: I live in Los Angeles, CA while the NamePros team lives worldwide.
How long have you been in the domain industry? Over five years. My major start was co-founding the curated domain inventory NameLayer, which was later acquired by TechStars.
Favourite extension: .com
Now reading: “The Big Short”
Now watching: “On the Dot” hosted by Joe Styler
Q&A
Describe your company and what services you offer.
With nearly one-million members on our platform, NamePros is the largest and most active domain community in the world. We strive to connect entrepreneurs, investors, and experts within our community using a suite of free tools and services. Build a network, learn from others, and increase your net worth – All for free!
Can you tell us about your last time at NamesCon and what you got out of it?
NamesCon was a great experience for NamePros and myself last year. To get the most out of attending NamesCon, I recommend doing the following:
- Coordinate several meetings with people you already know. You would be surprised at how much meeting someone in person will change your perception of them and solidify your relationship.
- Plan to attend every keynote and at least one panel a day. For industry professionals, listening to keynotes is similar to hearing the State of the Union address. We are very much interconnected in the domaining world and what one company does will affect the rest of us.
- Talk to as many people as you can at the evening mixers. One of the many great things about domaining are the domainers themselves. We’re in a unique industry where everyone has the ability to do business with each other without many barriers to entry. Take advantage of this now while the industry is still in its infancy.
Can you tell us about how your service or product helps deliver value to your customers?
With almost a million members on our platform, our users benefit the most from participating in the internet’s largest community for domainers. We optimize their experience with free services and features tailored towards domain investors and entrepreneurs to help them find the names they need or match them with the buyer they want.
What kinds of changes do you foresee within the industry in the next year? 5 years?
Another influx of new investors (including more Western and institutional investors) and large corporations entering the space. As the domain market grows and domain names continue to mature into a respectable asset class, the industry will see more and more money invested. These are exciting times!
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming NamesCon?
Recording video interviews of domain professionals and hearing Frank Schilling and Morgan Linton give their keynote speeches.
What industry trends or topics do you think will be at the forefront of panel and keynote discussions this year?
Chinese investors, gTLDs, and the domain economy.
Who would you like to hear speak at NamesCon? Why?
I would enjoy hearing Larry Page speak about the future of domains, the infrastructure of the internet, and the Internet of Things. It’d also be interesting to hear what he thinks about using abc.xyz today.
What fact about you would surprise people?
My first professional career was producing music videos and commercials.
What was one of your biggest “Aha!” moments in life?
Money is a byproduct of success, not the source of it.
How does your career compare to what you envisioned in your youth?
Vastly different. I originally endeavoured to be a physicist or mathematician.
Latest and greatest accomplishment in your career?
We’re launching a new product at NamesCon that our development team has been diligently working on for the last three years. Stay tuned!
Name 3 things you can’t travel without.
Laptop, cell phone, and a suit and tie.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
“Speak softly, and carry a big stick.”
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Are you interested in being a NamesCon Featured Attendee? Whether you’re the head of a large company or a one-woman operation, an industry veteran or a first-timer who’s curious to learn more about the domain industry, we want to hear and share your story! We’ll be publishing these profiles on the NamesCon website right up to the launch of the conference, so it’s great visibility for your company or brand.
