Job Q&A
by Ben Murray
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Monster.com: How did you come up with the idea for the site?

Thomas Amestoy: The idea for MyGodchild.com was developed from a broader concept for a Web site that would remind me of all the greeting card events in my life. Then one day, I was ending a long distance phone call with my sister when she mentioned it was the fifth anniversary of her eldest daughter's (my goddaughter's) baptism. I thought about trying to remember that date, and the concept of MyGodchild.com clicked into place.

Mc: Describe how you start a Web site.

TA: First, check to see if the domain name you're thinking of is available. If it is, grab it! Next, search the Web for sites similar to what you want to do, but don't be discouraged if you're not the first to come up with a concept. It may be confirmation that your idea is good, and you just need to refine it.

I am exceedingly fortunate to have friends skilled in the legal and technical aspects of setting up a company. These friends have become my partners, and because of our partnership, we were able to do almost everything in developing our Web site and company ourselves! Because of the ministerial nature of our site, we have also attracted the assistance of many friends with technical and graphic design talents for little or no cost.

Mc: How has your role evolved through that process?

TA: My role as the founder of the concept is quite nice. All I did was ask people what they thought of my idea and whether they thought we should build it. Now that we have become a company, my role as CEO has become much more time consuming. Although others are working on the technical side full-time, my role is still a part-time job. As we come into revenue or achieve major outside investments, my role will change again.

Mc: Walk me through your typical day.

TA: I work every day in the print and process-technology world for the Relizon Company. So my typical day starts off with my responsibilities to customers for revenue-generating print technology. I also work closely with my CTO, Brian Tolman, and others as we ready our site for the world. Often, my spare time is taken up with speaking to our investors or strategizing for our next. So far, there have been no typical days.

Mc: What is the toughest part of your job?

TA: Being patient. I want to see the fruits of my efforts immediately, but we need to take things one step at a time. Also, maintaining the appropriate balance of my life; I have responsibilities to my family, my other career and my sanity!

Mc: How have you and your site reacted to the recent dotcom shakeout? Has your outlook changed?

TA: We feel fortunate to be starting our site after the intensity of the first generation of Web sites has subsided. We see ourselves as a second-generation Internet company where business sense prevails.

Because of the dotcom world's unpredictable investment environment, we've stayed focused on a few key things: First, we're not only a business, we are a ministry, and we look at the worthiness of our site beyond the buck we may make. Second, we have very low overhead, our business plan at this point is to inventory nothing and buy nothing, but simply bring our customers to other sites for age and gender-appropriate gifts and saving plans, for which we'll recieve a comission. Third, we are narrowly focused and robust.

Mc: What would you say to someone who wants to follow a similar career path?

TA: Set your sights high. Shoot for the stars but make sure you are doing something you are passionate about. Starting up any organization is stressful and time consuming; it strips the margin from your life. If, however, it is something that pays you back as you develop it, then it is worth the struggle.