The Next Chapter

In 2008, I formed an group with one of my best acquaintances now. Stu McLaren and I brought our talents to create Member.

We did not know we were about to embark on an incredible adventure which was beyond our imagination. WordPress has been expanding rapidly. This was a thrilling time. There was no clear answer, but there was a lot of evidence that WordPress could outdo Joomla and Drupal.

For putting it in context, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga have been receiving attention in the new world of popular music. We were students in the very initial class in the school when we first started.

In the age of internet-based marketing the discussion of membership websites was popular. Unfortunately, there weren't any ways to create a membership site with WordPress. Most development companies were focused on themes. Thus, the marketplace for premium plug-ins was insignificant.

We saw it as an opportunity to take action quickly. Mike Lopez was our Jedi programmers, who were capable of creating whatever we set his abilities to the test. He created the initial version of Member independently within just 3 months.

Similar to my prior project that focused on software We were able to see the opportunity to develop an efficient solution for the common problem. The members of our company experienced rapid growth. The beginning of our sales were all driven by word of mouth. The company grew significantly within a year, but then spent absolutely nothing on marketing.

It's exactly the kind of chance that entrepreneurs only dream about.

In the early days of our venture, as we had just established ourselves, we were greeted with an initial request to sell the company. The response was very flattering However, they were searching for established businesses where the founder was eager to retire. We were fresh with enthusiasm and enthusiasm, therefore it was an utter misunderstanding.

The first question was found to be valid. The answer was "Built for sale" which enticed many curious.

Following the initial question, I had a conversation with someone I was thinking of as a trustworthy advisor. His entrepreneurial experience includes owning several different businesses. One of them is that is a Venture Capital firm. Owners of the firm also sold a number of businesses during the past. The evidence is clear that this man has an impressive track record of success.

A friend of mine gave me some helpful advice. He shared that, "the secret to selling your company is to identify potential buyers, and after that ensure that your company will be a perfect match."

This suggestion triggered a lot of sensitivities. I had a few minor problems. The first is that when you've got an associate, you're building an organization that just one person wants to establish. Partners agree to collaborate with each other. We are unable to identify the purchaser.

It was at a stage that Stu and I took the choice to make Mike an associate. I believe it was in the year of 2010.

The market landscape changed dramatically during the final quarter of 2014. Stu was determined to carry on his teaching passion and concentrate on teaching people how to build profitable membership sites. Mike and I both became part of the software business.

In a flash I was playing the role of majority shareholderand the members. It was terrifying but also exhilarating at every turn.

The leadership team of our company as well as me made a trip to Colorado for a focus on the planning.

It was clear the need for some reconfiguring. This was the right opportunity to look back at our achievements in the past to focus on what we could do in the years ahead. Personally it was the right time to set aside the idea of creating a company which I believed that someone might want to purchase and start considering the kind of company I'd like to run.

The past couple of months have revealed a variety of things. One of the most obvious is the fact that Isolation is the biggest killer for entrepreneurs. The business world can feel lonely at moments. It is essential to have connections and relationships that will help you bring peace and harmony to the company.

It's difficult to pinpoint what time friendships will evolve into a real relationship...

I was introduced to Micah Mitchell at a conference. He was an associate of an individual who had similar software to Member. It was possible to view that company as one of one of the more serious rivals. This wasn't something that I was thinking regarding. it and just felt like I was aware that I could trust him and I'd like to learn more about him more.

The next couple of years and Micah ended his previous partnership and established a company called Memberium. Many might have considered him much more risky. All I can say was I loved the guy.

The proof lay in the way I ran across his security guards while in the airport. The two of us had a good conversation, catching up about our respective projects we were working on, and then we realized that we had seats in the same plane. Was this an act of an prank? Perhaps someone made it up. The entire thing could have been random.

It was a bit of a surprise that at the time of that trip, we started to think about the most talked about April Fool's Day joke, where we'd say that Micah recently purchased the membership service Member. We speculated that it was named Memberium. We might add the word 360 to the name to add a bit of amusement. Some people who've been through this will be able to comprehend.

The first time I got a seat ahead of my software adversaries (thanks Delta!) became a long-lasting friendship. Friends from our two groups met often to talk about business issues at meals for the next few years. The conversations that we had ended after my family and I returned to Tennessee. There were many great relationships within Utah and it was incredibly difficult to say goodbye.

I enjoy developing software. It's thrilling to see your idea turn into a reality is exhilarating. It's especially exhilarating working with an awesome team and your products are more than you imagined that you could make it. An excellent example could be the most current update to the Courses Add-Ons for Member.

Although it's thrilling in the way it sounds, the truth is it's hard. If you get to the final yard and are close to making it to score it will be exhausting from all that hard work.

We had completed the idea and began to plan how we would begin the process, I was beginning to feel tired. I realized that it was best to find a reliable marketing partner. One who was aware of market trends, and who could assist me to take my member up to the next stage. I've placed a couple of phone calls to my most trusted contacts from the world of business. My wife told me that Micah should be on the list of shortlisted. My wife assured me that I'd get in touch with Micah in the coming day.

The first time I made contact with Micah When I contacted Micah I received an email. It was like being on a plane Micah in the airplane. It's difficult to know when things happen in response to an issue.

Discussions grew to the notion that we could sell Member to Micah's company MemberShipper who is the entity that supports Memberium. Our product that we developed using Member was exactly the kind of product MemberShipper was looking for to increase their product range.

Over the years , I've had a lot of inquires about selling my company. Most of them didn't seem to be right up at the present. It was vital for me to make sure that Member be a brand with a solid foundation. Additionally, I wanted to ensure that our team was looked after with reverence.

Every step of the way the more it was evident that this was the best option for the individual as well as the team, and for the hundreds of wonderful clients that have been with us for this many years.

I'm extremely thankful for those who lead the teams on both of the side. They've put in a lot of energy to make the transition process simple for me. It's amazing to observe all the team members doing their job.

One of the most frequent inquiries I receive is "What's going on in your personal life? ".

Although I think I'll enjoy retirement, what do I need more than a rest. I'm hoping to take this time to relax and take in some well-deserved time for myself.

What's this all about being an e-member?

Simply put, it is feasible that the team will continue creating new ideas, while individuals are continuously upgraded and developed. This team will never stop.

I'm excited to be a part of Micah and his staff all year long. I've been offered an an opportunity that could describe as my ideal job. The position I am currently in includes the title "Director of Strategic Partnerships" for both the brand names that belong to MemberShipper.

I will be at numerous gatherings during the next few months. My goal is to provide the highest worth possible throughout the time through the whole year. It is exciting to watch Member progress to the next stage under Micah's guidance.

There is a chance that I'll remain around longer than anyone would have ever imagined.

I've never felt more confident regarding the future of the Member than right this moment. It's only the beginning.

The full announcement regarding the acquisition here..

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