Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
Jason Monberg, 27, and Felicia Lindau, 32, founders ofSparks.com, want to make you (and every other Internet user)the friend/sibling/child/employee/etc. you've always dreamed ofbeing. They might not make world peace happen tomorrow, but sincelaunching their online greeting card superstore last December,it's safe to say these old friends have at least made a dent inthe "goodwill to all" effort.
The genesis of Sparks.com is no accident. In fact, it's aseasy to calculate as third-grade math: Lindau's dad was a"multiventure" BIZ Experiences, plus Lindau's 11 yearsin technology marketing (four of them launching Amazon.com andExcite), divided by the technological wizardry of Monberg, equalsenough volition, insider knowledge and intellect to join the ranksof the e-commerce elite.
But Lindau contends that above all, Sparks.com is a consumerretail business. "We're hoping to fuel relationships, andthere's nothing technological about that," she says.
Technology, however, is the enabler of the company'sbevy of services: search functions so detail-oriented that siftingthrough the more than 6,000 available greeting cards is effortless;e-mail reminder services so customers never miss a birthday orholiday; same-day shipping; a record of customers' orderinghistories; gift certificates from partners like Barnes &Noble--the list goes on.
With so much to maintain, you'd think the company's15,000-square-foot San Francisco office would be a huge den ofstress. OK, so it probably is. But it's an enjoyable place inwhich to be stressed: Employee "desks" are self-designedsawhorse/door creations, and a huge, whimsical mural bringspotential stuffiness down a notch. "It's definitely nottime clocks, suits and ties," says Lindau--but the officeenvironment's not so laid-back that goals fall by the wayside,either.
Using independent contractors and 26 full-timers to their utmostpotential, CEO Lindau and chief technical officer Monberg aim tobuild a "100-year brand" and add even more services.Being young and inspired, they want all upgrades to happen in aday's time, but Lindau, who'll only say the company'sgrowing "big, fast," takes it one day at a time. Afterall, at press time, she was still working on getting thank-youcards to her loved ones following a major holiday. How late wasshe? The envelope is sealed.
Three's Company
The fellows behind Net One, an Internet solutions provider inBoston, run a business with a conscience. When asked how a companyfacing the new millennium should be run, "being socially awareand socially minded" are thrown into the mix. Butphilanthropy, these BIZ Experiencess say, should be a priority--notjust a goal to ponder.
Richard Skelton, Charles Strader (both 23) and Pablo Mondal, 22,have helped universities, computer manufacturers and smallbusinesses with services from Web site design to e-commerce since1996. But bringing worthy organizations, inner-city schools andcommunity centers closer to the 21st century via technology is alsopart of their vision; the partners do it for free as they seefit.
The BIZ Experiencesial careers of Skelton, Strader and Mondal beganin their sophomore year with nothing but personal computers in theapartment they shared while attending Boston University. Skeltonand Strader were working in the BU computer support center when ahair salon owner called wanting a Web site built. A little extratime and plenty of confidence later, a business was born.
Now, after serving more than 100 companies, the Net One crewexpects sales of $500,000 to $750,000 this year. A modest space ina downtown Pizzeria Uno building houses their American dream."It has a professional look, but if we're working [andclients aren't around], we make sure music's playing,"says Strader. Tunes even poured through the phone's earpiecewhile this interview with Skelton was being arranged.
For these three, working together is a sure thing. They'veendured business-related financial hardships, and now the onlything left to brave is returning to the college grind they leftbehind a year and a half into the business. Studies won't cramptheir business' style, say the partners, who plan to keep NetOne going strong despite going back to school.
Contact Sources
Net One, (888) 9-NET-ONE, http://www.onechoice.com
Sparks.com,felicia@sparks.com, http://www.sparks.com
