Interview with the President
Name: Trish Bear
Company: I-OLOGY
Title: CEO and president
Established: 1998
Type of business: Internet agency
Number of employees: 10
Born: 1968
Hometown: Long Island, New York
In Arizona: 20 years
Family status: Single
Hobbies: Running, Hiking, biking, travel
Trade associations: AzSoft.Net, NAWBO, Tempe CVB, ASBA
Bank: Rocky Mountain Community Bank
Accounting firm: Miera Consulting
Law firm: Grant, Williams & Dangerfield, P.C.
Web site: www.i-ology.com
What made you choose this industry? It would be nice to say foresight, but it was actually just luck. About eight years ago, an Internet start-up company hired me. At first I had no idea what the Internet would become. Then I began to recognize the impact it would have on the future of our economy. After that, it was just a matter of learning and staying ahead of the curve.
Why did you start this business? While working for a global Internet Service Provider which focused on delivering "product," I started listening to customers and determined that "excellent service" was what they needed and wanted. Even large companies with various internal technology resources struggled with knowing how to effectively integrate the Internet into their business plan. So I felt confident that companies would invest in Internet consultation that provided meaningful direction and a quantifiable return on investment.
How did you get your start-up capital? I was completely self-funded.
What was the biggest challenge when you started? It was an incredible challenge to grow the company at a comfortable pace without outside capital. Some people in this industry seek absurd amounts of capital and go out of business in a short amount of time. Many also focus on going public. My spotlight has been solely on customer service, followed by staying grounded and remaining attentive to what I feel is right.
What was your best business decision? To focus on customer service. That decision has allowed I-OLOGY to uphold a consistent rate of growth, while preserving its top-notch level of quality work for steadfast customers. Another sound business decision I made early on was to select "quality" customers. A quality customer dedicates time to its Internet strategy because it takes a great deal of effort on the client´s part to educate our staff on the industry, as well as work side-by-side to achieve maximum results. Some companies just want a Web site. But it is not that simple. A successful Internet strategy is an ongoing process that includes marketing the Web site, tracking the results and consistently re-evaluating how the market is changing.
How do you market your products/services? I-OLOGY has placed a couple of very small ads locally, but 99 percent of our business is by word-of-mouth. And of course we have a Web site which generates some great leads.
What are your plans for growth? I-OLOGY is currently in the process of strategically offering its "Internet Agency" services in other major cities across the country. The company grew 300 percent last year and is projected to double both revenue and staff in 2001.
For more information on I-ology please contact Aaron Detzer at 480.850.2800, extension 3017, or at
About I-ology
Founded in 1998, I-ology, Inc. creates Web Strategies that drive Growth and Profit®. I-ology provides high-end, high-quality Web services to growing businesses. These Web Services include Strategic Web Planning, Award-winning Web design and Interactive development, Measurable Online Marketing Services and Robust Web Site Hosting. I-ology's strategies have facilitated growth for such clients as the 2008 Arizona Super Bowl, Hospice of the Valley, Ensemble Real Estate Services, Arizona State University, Pebbletec, Tartesso, iGo and many more. I-ology was a 2007 Impact Award Finalist, has won numerous industry awards and is active in giving back to the community through organizations such as Special Olympics of Arizona, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, WasteNot, and Habitat for Humanity. You can learn more about I-ology by visiting their Web site: www.I-ology.com or by calling (480) 850-2800. I-ology®, The Science of the Internet®
