High-tech media company that provides search engine optimization, advertiser-sponsored consumer portals and data-driven Web site optimization. (Los Angeles)

Growth Rate 640%

Executive:

Lawrence Ng, chief executive and co-founder

Early Days/Financing:

I worked part-time at Startpath.com where I was smack in the middle of Internet advertising. Fred Hsu was the technology person I’d go to, so we complemented each other in that I had the business and marketing background and he had the technology. It was senior year and we were getting decent job offers but none were as enriching as starting a company on our own. Fred and I founded the business in 2000 as a search engine optimization company. At that time it was pre-first inning so there were many opportunities. Online advertising was in high demand and we realized the returns were worthwhile. Our first server was put on a credit card and we’ve been self-funded ever since.

Big Break:

We got into the domain business early. We realized the power of direct navigation. We provide quality eyeballs to advertisers that are measurable and accountable to achieve brand needs while addressing specific return on investment demands as well. We’ve enabled them to have a consistent revenue stream so their property is maximized. No one was doing what we were early on.

Biggest Challenge

: Growing to 150 employees from one is not an overnight process. We have to take a step back and think about how we run the business and how to manage our people. So the challenge and effort is always in staying a couple steps ahead. I’m a big believer that as long as the internal processes work the future is manageable.

Secret of Success

: At the core is the technology that is developed by the team. The technology keeps us competitive. We made a decision to continue to invest in technology. To be competitive not only in relationships but to provide the best services by filtering leads for quality sources, buying traffic in an automated fashion, and optimize landing pages. It’s not possible without the technology.

What’s Next:

We plan our next four to eight quarters and figure out staffing needs accordingly. As far as growth, my objective is to make sure we have a skeleton in place but also staying as flexible as possible and knowing where we’re heading.

Sage Advice:

It’s true what they say about entrepreneurs: You’re the janitor, window cleaner and mopping the floors.