Five years ago, I was a single mother living in a hotel room with my daughter and I had to break her piggy bank to buy groceries. Ten years ago, I was a stay-at-home mother who needed something to do and explored with great curiosity on what became my foundations of what I do today. Three years ago, I finally succeeded enough to be able to quit my full time job. Getting from there to here is a journey and those that fail do because they give up. I spent many nights running on little sleep, crying in frustration, working until my arms hurt from elbow to fingertips all while wondering if I would ever get there.

...Circumstances do not define what you are capable of

or who you can become. To me circumstances are "mental road blocks" that one uses to conjure excuses for inaction. It doesn't matter if you were there in 1995 buying domains or just starting today. It doesn't matter if you have a $20,000 credit card limit to spend on domains or have to scrape $10 together to buy a new one. It doesn't matter if you are too late to buy Computer.com for reg fee or if you start today with a new concept. Starting in the domain industry today is just like starting a new business: you have to work at it until it pays off and keep going - over and over and over again. Regardless of how you enter into the domain industry today - you start, you keep going, you keep building, you focus and you tell your inner naysayer to shut the hell up.

...Failure is not the end.

It is an opportunity for a new beginning. It is a way to take what you learned, discover why things did not work and format a new plan that functions better. Thomas Edison said: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work". If you don't succeed at one concept - reformat the formula and keep trying. However.....

...Don't be afraid to divorce a failing concept

Once in awhile you do have to admit that an idea was a bad one and let go of the dream. Easier said than done. Pride and emotional investment can stand in the way of cutting loose from a bad investment that just won't manifest into something better. The best advice I have ever received was that if an idea, a concept, a business plan, etc is going to succeed that you will see some type of measurable result immediately: not five years down the road. I learned this the hard way after spending two years, thousands of hours and dollars on a development project that was dead on arrival. But....

...How do I know I am on the right track?

Everything you do has a chance of either succeeding or failing but the people who don't even begin are the ones who are too afraid to find out the answer. Don't make the mistake of borrowing your "idol's" success map and trying to fit into the exact road they took to get there. It more than likely won't happen in the same way for you. Write your own map to success taking your own risks, enlightening yourself to new experiences and creating your own foundations. There is no sure way to predict the success of what you are doing or even the failure of it.

"Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity." ~ Henry Hartman

...Success is not restrained by time limits

but comes when you least expect it (and sometimes accumulates over time). I always told myself I would become a millionaire by the time I was 30. That hasn't quite happened yet but I am far more successful than I was at age 20. There was a time when I could not fathom the thought of being able to live without having a "normal" job but it did happen. Am I beating myself up because I will be 30 in eight months and I'm not yet a millionaire? No. But that day will happen, too.

...Doubters can have their opinion.

As the saying goes: opinions are like a**holes. If you believe in what you do and you are ready to live out that passion then do not allow opinions from others hinder your progress. I've been told in the past (by a few people I love) that I "did not have what it takes" but those people are eating their words now. Let doubters have their opinion and turn that into something that drives you to do better.

"Ignore what other people think and listen to your heart; it’s your passions in life no one can rightfully criticize." ~ Tia Wood

...The biggest investment you will ever make is in yourself.

Passion lives because you feed it. It took me seven years to quit my full time job but I could have quit sooner had I realized that education was the key to get there. You cannot spend your way to success (maybe some can but I am not one of them) and I would encourage anyone entering into the domain industry to first absorb the fundamentals before before opening that wallet. Learn what makes a domain valuable. Learn what smart development is. Learn from the failures, successes, trials and tribulations of those before you.

...The secret is: there is no secret.

There is no magic formula, no "perfect timing", no golden key and no secrets that are being withheld from you. This is best explained by my favorite quote:

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." ~ Calvin Coolidge

Your thoughts?

Comments (14)

Peter

Very valuable thoughts. One of your best post. Thanks for sharing.

domainer

Best post Tia and what an amazing story. Very inspiring and I just want to say thankyou. Been in the dumps past weeks and this post was a motivation for me to keep going. Will need to re read this a few times and bookmark this. One of the best posts I read for 2010 and you shared your experience. Not just recycling news You made it Tia and what an gratifying reward for yourself and daughter Tia.

Mano August 05, 2010

You're not far away from what you dreamed, keep it up...... you're talking the right thing at the right moment. Cheers...

Leonard Britt August 05, 2010

Thanks for the words of wisdom. Yes, while there is a value to persistence, if something isn't working one has to ask whether a course modification is necessary. One adjustment I will be making in the coming months is slowing down the number of new sites I develop on my own as I find that with too many sites at once, one has little time to load fresh content to the old ones because you are already working on another one. Likewise you eventually get to a point where you say, "Do I really need any more domains?"

Mike Law August 05, 2010

I love this quote and it's so true! "Ignore what other people think and listen to your heart; it’s your passions in life no one can rightfully criticize." ~ Tia Wood Enjoyed this read immensely

Will

Thanks, Tia, for this timely message. I'm a beginning domainer who has recently hit a wall. Your message has encouraged me to press on!

jeff

Best post of the year. Thanks for sharing.

TiaWood August 05, 2010

Thanks for the comments everyone. "One adjustment I will be making in the coming months is slowing down the number of new sites I develop on my own as I find that with too many sites at once, one has little time to load fresh content to the old ones because you are already working on another one. Likewise you eventually get to a point where you say, "Do I really need any more domains?" " Yes! I know the feeling.

Jason August 05, 2010

What a great post Tia. So many things that are just spot on in it. I think one of the best parts was knowing when to cut your losses. There is a difference between being bone-headed and stubborn and making smart chioces. Inspirational and intelligent. You are a credit to yourself and the domaining community.

Kitvy August 06, 2010

I just want to say: Amazing! Bravo!

Mike

The domain name industry is one of the most shady industries out there. Dont DARE ask how PPC works or why number just seem to not add up because NO ONE will give you a straight answer. Places like Afternic and Directnic - very, very scary to deal with. Afternic's online system software was probably outsourced to some kid in India - the quality sucks and they refuse to correct the bugs. Directnic... my God, just do a Google search on them and you'll want to steer clear of those New Orleans and Florida (Parked.com) thugs. Meh - you're lucky if you can sell a domain name to someone posing as a regular person wanting your domain but in fact they're just another domainer who wants your domain at the lowest possible price so THEY can resell it for big bucks. When people are honest then you have a good industry but holy crap is this industry shady.

Todd August 08, 2010

Great post, I needed the encouragement today SO many naysayers in life. Thanks!

TiaWood August 08, 2010

Mark, I agree to a certain extent. There are many ways to monetize a domain, not just via parking. Plus, there are "bad eggs" in any industry. However, to me the benefits outweigh the risks. Like with any industry, due diligence is necessary.

domainer

@mike how does this rant relate to Tia post? Go post on dnforum and your rants. Congress, presidents, sports, wtf is some of it is shaddy

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