Hi, I’m Richard and I am an e-commerce consultant, Internet marketer and author. I’m also a Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing with 30 years experience in sales, marketing and e-commerce.

You may have read my first book, the best-seller, ‘The Small Business Guide to the Internet’ (1998). This book introduced the concept of Strategic Fit™ and was the only book to predict the burst of the Internet bubble back in April 2000 (many ‘experts’ say they saw it coming but I was the ONLY author that actually predicted that many e-commerce companies would fold because they didn’t have the Strategic Fit™ for e-commerce. And I can prove it!).

That’s right; I really know how to make a million on the Internet – from start-up to exit.

How do I know?

Well, between 1998 and 2009 I worked for a number of Internet-based companies as an e-Commerce Director, e-Marketing Director or Managing Director. During that time, I worked on over 70 e-commerce projects, many of which became leaders in their industry sector and continue to turn over millions of dollars each year.

The sectors these online businesses are in varies from legal services to technical services to adult entertainment etc, etc. Most of them are in small niche sectors and most are only servicing the UK market and yet many of them make millions of dollars profit each year and will continue to increase their turnover as more and more people come online. Imagine the amount of money online businesses with a global customer base make… your business?!

Why did I quit?

I was earning good money and I had shares in numerous companies but I was working up to 16 hours a day for years and years, with no light at the end of the tunnel – from a once fit, well-humored guy I became fat, stressed, diabetic and deeply depressed. I was burnt out.

In 2009 I gave up the corporate life and decided to stop dying slowly and start living fast. So, I quit my job, cashed in all my assets, property, and shares, and left the cold of the UK and moved to the sunshine. Since then I’ve got married, had my first child and taken more vacations than I’ve taken in the last 30 years.

Why stay in e-commerce?

E-commerce is the only thing I know how to do really well. My fate was sealed back in 1998. After studying e-commerce and marketing at university, from the research I conducted for my Master’s degree, I wrote ‘The Small Business Guide to the Internet’. As a consequence of that book, I was head-hunted by a start-up Internet company. I became head of e-commerce, where I was responsible for developing e-commerce projects.

Since then I live and breathe e-commerce. Even in my down time I find myself thinking about, ‘What will make money online?’ ‘How should this product be marketed?’ ‘How could this business be better run?’ etc. etc. I can’t help myself. I’ve been the same since I discovered the Internet back in the 90s.

Why run a blog?

This blog is where I’ll share my thoughts and adventures in e-commerce; where I share what I’ve learned and what I’m learning along the way to my dream. As I’m new to blogging, I’m being mentored by Alex Jeffreys. As you may know, Alex is a blogger and Internet Marketing Guru from my home town of Cardiff in the UK. With Alex’s help I’m going to share everything I already know about e-commerce as well as everything I learn along the way, all while building a successful online business and living the Internet lifestyle! Each day I hope to get closer to my dream.

What’s my dream?

My dream is to run a million dollar business from my Smart Phone. That’s right, with modern technology, and a global workforce at my disposal, my intention is to run the ultimate lazy businessman’s fantasy; ‘poolside e-commerce’. I’m determined to make it a reality – I’m going to outsource everything I can and source the software and resources I need to make my dream come true. Follow me as I try to set up the ultimate business – one I can run from next to a swimming pool, or from my yacht! Isn’t that a great dream?

Please post your thoughts…