Broadband Evolved

Four years ago this week I got together with a group of really smart guys and co-founded a company called SMBLive.

We began by partnering with British Telecom to develop a white label online directory platform called Tradespace.  The idea was simple.  Help UK based SMBs get online and get found in Google.  It’s been a journey with ups and downs.  We made some great friends.  We celebrated some victories.  We took some arrows.  But overall it’s been a remarkable experience and a huge success with greater than 300,000 businesses taking the Tradespace plunge.  Most importantly we’ve had the benefit of a front row seat to watch and learn “what works” and “what doesn’t” — in terms of helping SMBs become better online marketers.  The knowledge gained from these “real world” lessons now serves as an incredibly solid foundation for our second generation platform called CloudProfile.

Small businesses like Leesburg Vintner, Brooks Stone, Cardinal State Design and KrantzPR use CloudProfile to talk about themselves online so they get found in search (Google, Yahoo, MSN) and make their voices heard on social networks (Facebook and Twitter).  It’s an incredibly simple and affordable service.

So after four years, I can honestly say that it’s been a truly fascinating and worthwhile journey.  My apologies in advance for being corny — but I am honestly reminded of the Green Day song:

Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.

So make the best of this test
and don’t ask why.

It’s not a question
but a lesson learned in time.

It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.

It’s right because of CloudProfile.  So if you, or someone you know, owns a small business — you have to take a look.  You’ll see an amazing piece of software built by an amazing team of people.  You’ll also see how it’s now possible for normal, everyday, people to embrace the social web and become better online marketers.

Looking forward to the next four years!

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