This web journal and its companion website, www.eCommerceGal.com, are authored by me – Olivia Hamilton Montgomery. I’m the founder of the eponymous Hamilton Montgomery Enterprises, a would-be multi-national conglomerate that I started on my laptop with a shoestring budget and a fertile imagination.
I began working in the tech industry back in early 1983, doing co-op marketing for the sole Epson distributor in Southern California. Let’s just say it was a hot job at a busy time. I’ve held positions of responsibility for a range of businesses, from some of the biggest software giants on the planet to some of the quirkiest start-ups you can think of. In recent years I’ve been a consultant for the motivational speaking industry, holding up a cardboard sign at busy intersections, “Will personally develop for food.” It’s been a great ride, and I’ve loved every grueling minute.
So last year when I got involved with a bickersome trio of would-be software execs who couldn’t launch their way out a paper bag, one night I sat with my chin in my hand, fiddling with my keyboard and asking the Great Question that changed my life forever. How come I’m the only one getting any work done around here?
More to the point, why should I share the potential profits of a start-up company with these fellas who can’t even agree on where to meet for lunch? I knew then it was over. Whatever the fate of that start-up (which I think you can guess), I knew I had to strike out on my own. Where are they now? Oh, they’re out there somewhere, languishing at about 14 million in the Alexa rankings. I have sites with no content whatsoever that have performed exponentially better. It’s not that I wish anyone ill, mind you. I wish anyone in this business the best of luck – it’s really tough. But the performance of that enterprise reassures me of two things: 1) I made the right choice to get out on my own; 2) It’s the folks who do the work who are destined to survive, and even thrive.
From a business sense, I didn’t have to start this blog. Sure, having a web journal helps drive traffic – but there are other ways of doing that. I started this blog because making money in eCommerce is hard. Really hard. It can also be lonely. I tip my cap to anyone who’s on this ride. I started this blog for you – to share with you the benefit of my experience – my unvarnished ups and downs, to give you a safe harbor when you don’t know who to trust, and to encourage you to keep at it. The money does come.
The eCommerce industry is really only about 15 years old – so young. Compare that to fields like law, medicine, publishing, any of the trades, or even something as young as aeronautics or media. Our opportunity is far from over. In fact, it’s just beginning, and I see us as pioneers on a new frontier.
Good commerce,
ECG
