First Internet Ad Agency
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In the mid-1990s, Scott Heiferman saw the potential of the internet after watching Marc Andreessen release Netscape and started one of the world's first online internet advertising agencies.
Key Points:
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Early Market Entry:
- Started in mid-1990s when internet was emerging
- One of the first online advertising agencies globally
- Recognized internet's potential early, similar to Andreessen's Netscape vision
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Financial Success:
- Sold for approximately $15 million
- Equivalent to roughly $30 million in today's money
- Exit came after 6-7 years of operation
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Market Timing:
- Entered before digital advertising became mainstream
- Positioned company at the forefront of internet marketing
- Capitalized on being an early mover in the space
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Post-Exit Impact:
- Led to burnout from "internet whirlwind"
- Prompted reflection on disconnection from regular people
- Eventually inspired future ventures like Meetup.com
Sam Parr
Host of MFM and fitness influencer
Sam Parr is a serial entrepreneur and business media pioneer.
In 2016, he founded The Hustle, a business news media company that started in his kitchen with just $12 and grew to eight figures in revenue.
Sam led the charge in making newsletters popular when few believed in their potential.
After four successful years, he sold The Hustle to HubSpot, a publicly traded company. Now operating as HubSpot Media, The Hustle reaches 3 million readers daily, employs a team of nearly 100, and has been the launchpad for dozens of its staff to found their own media companies and newsletters.
Sam remains the host of the popular business podcast, My First Million, and continues to start and sell companies. He also co-founded Hampton, a highly vetted community for entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs, and teaches people to write better through his platform, Copy That.