Meet Ryan Eagle, Entrepreneur

Ryan Eagle is a successful serial entrepreneur who got his start building websites and selling virtual items for Diablo II. With his network of websites, he began expanding into AdSense and affiliate marketing income. After many years of running online businesses, he shifted into importing/exporting through his business, Response Commodities, and he continues to pursue other "tangible" business opportunities. Ryan also has a strong interest in doing philanthropic work.

1. When you first became interested in computers, what was it specifically about the internet that made you direct your efforts there (rather than, say, writing software)?

To be honest, I don't know what exactly attracted me to the internet, computers in general, or business! I was generally a normal kid otherwise--I played sports, rode bikes, loved camping, and preferred to be outside. I've been using computers since Windows 3.2 although I remember I really gained more interest when I was in 4th grade. Since I was a young kid, my role model was Bill Gates, and I always admired his work and what he was able to accomplish from his life. When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade I had dreams of building my own software company called "EagleCOM."

When I moved back to Chicago from Texas, I remember the first winter I endured and I couldn't go outside. I spent the entire winter on the computer learning the ins and outs. When I was in 5th grade, I made my first website from scratch by reading HTML for Dummies. When I was 14, I made my first money online. When I was 16, I was catapulted into massive success from websites that I had created and never looked back.

2. Why did you decide to shift your career from affiliate marketing and ad-based income into a "tangible business"?

I started doing affiliate marketing in 2005, and after closing my last affiliate marketing based business I wanted a challenge. I didn't want to default to my comfort zone knowing that it would make me quick money fast. I wanted to develop new businesses in new sectors that were a challenge to me; I wanted something new; I needed a new challenge.

3. In your experience, what are some of the challenges for someone with a long history in online business to move into a very different field?

For me, the biggest challenge was basically starting from scratch and learning something from the ground up. I learned huge lessons from my last companies that I pulled into new businesses, but when transferring to completely new sectors, it was quite the challenge. At times, I wanted to jump back and get right into affiliate marketing again for the quick money, but I remained determined. I refused to give up, and like every time in the past, it paid off.

4. How do you currently balance your time between your companies and your philanthropic work?

To be honest, I could do a lot more than I currently do. I take the easy road out by doing things like donating my money rather than actually getting involved. Instead of committing funds to specific foundations, I've been trying to invest into individuals by paying for scholarships and things along those lines. This question reminds me that I need to get a lot more involved, both financially and physically.

5. You describe materialism as being a good motivator, but what would you say keeps you grounded--or to put it another way, what makes you happy at the very end of the night when reflect on how your day went?

Material things are far less important to me than they used to be. At the end of the day, all of those flashy things are simply metal objects or clothing with cool symbols on them--they come and go, just like money itself. Nowadays, I live a lot more modestly than I used to, and I prefer to keep a lower profile than I ever have because all of that does nothing but build a false ego. At the same time, I don't deprive myself of the rewards of working hard--it's just not as important to me.

To keep grounded, I pray to God and give him thanks for anything that I've been given. I also value my relationships with others far higher than anything material. My family, my girlfriend, and my true friends mean more to me than anything I can buy. They are the ones that stick through the tough times--and like any person I’ve endured those times, too.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me! I really appreciate the opportunity.

Thanks, Ryan!

Meet Harry Bettencourt of BarStools.co.uk

Harry Bettencourt runs an ecommerce store dedicated to selling bar stools. With a background in design, he sources his stock from the best designers around the globe, importing them back into the UK, and then re-selling them via www.BarStools.co.uk.

1. What inspired you to start a website focused specifically on bar stools and related products?

It was my time spent working with Italian interior designers during a year in Rome. These guys are hugely talented and opened by eyes up to how different shapes and forms could make a difference to the feel of a room. I was interested mainly in kitchen design, and at the time in Italy, the breakfast bar was quite popular. Of course, an integral part of these installations are breakfast bar stools or kitchen bar stools. When I got back to the UK, I kept some of those relationships open with the Italian guys and brokered a deal to import their bar stools back to the UK.

It grew from there, and I haven't really looked back since!

2. Why do you think that bars/bar stools have become a popular for home decor?

It's funny, because in the 1970s and 1980s, having a small bar in your home was actually quite popular, but then seemed to disappear during the 1990s and early 2000s. I am not honestly sure why there has been a renaissance in using bar stools with interior design, or having home bars.

What I would say though is that nowadays there is a huge amount of choice on the market. Kitchen bar stools can be retro, modern, contemporary--you name it, there will be a bar stools to suit a design or style.

3. I've noticed a lot of retro styled furniture lately, but what do you think are the prevailing trends today?

In terms of trends, I can only go on which bar stools sell in the highest volumes via my website, and the last six months it's mainly been the more classic stuff. So bar stools which incorporate wooden and leather elements, that kind of thing.

In the UK at least, it seems like people are harking back to classic design, and I don't mean retro by that, but just timeless pieces that complement a high quality kitchen refurbishment. Those types of bar stools are selling very well right now.

4. How do you decide which designs/products to feature in your shop?

I tend to subscribe to most of the leading interior design magazines to see what type of trends are developing. Based on that, I can get a good idea on what bar stools will suit the forthcoming designs and then order on those lines.

5. What's your best advice to people who are shopping for furniture and want to choose something that will last for many years?

I always go by the mantra that if you buy cheap, you buy twice (although we do have some items currently on a promotional sale). All of our bar stools are made of the best materials with real attention to detail--plus we have long guarantees, so come check us out!

Thanks, Harry!

Meet Charlotte, Co-Founder of Save On Tapestries

Save On Tapestries is a leading provider of high-quality fine European wall tapestries. The company offers deeply discounted fabric tapestry pieces at great prices. Our interview below is with Charlotte, the co-founder of the company.

1. I noticed that Save on Tapestries was founded in 1998. How has the company grown in the 15+ years since it was first started?

Our formula has been quite simple in that we have always tried to provide quality customer service and deeply discounted prices on high quality hand-woven European tapestries.

2. How do you choose the tapestries to feature on your site, and could you tell us a little bit about the types of designs people can expect to find?

We typically attend trade shows and exhibits as a way to find the latest and most interesting tapestries available. Shoppers will find a wide range of tapestries including French, Belgian, and Italian wall tapestries. Each handmade piece is unique and perfectly suited for a variety of interior spaces.

3. Do you have some suggestions about choosing a good place to hang a tapestry?

Virtually any room in the home is well-suited for a beautiful European wall tapestry. Typically speaking, rooms that require an added splash of color or rooms that stand to gain from 3-D textile art are usually the best places to hang a tapestry.

4. Who are the craftspeople who make your tapestries?

Artists who have spent years perfecting their craft produce these beautiful pieces throughout Europe. Belgium is especially noted for producing some of the finest tapestries in the world.

5. How do you manage to offer such quality products at such discounted prices?

We work with manufacturers in Europe as a way to get the best prices possible for our customers.

Thanks, Charlotte!

Meet Danny Bravin of Berber Gold

Danny Bravin, a California rancher and Mr. Hafid Al Hourti, a Moroccan Berber gentleman, have teamed up to fulfill a little Berber boy's childhood dream--a vision of helping his people who are facing crises of squalor, disease, and illiteracy. The key is liquid gold, the oil extracted from the Argan tree; the gold that will free the Berber Nation. See their website, Berber Gold, for more information.

1. What is Argan oil, and where does it come from?

Argan oil, called "liquid gold" by the Berber, is extracted from the kernels of the Argan tree which grows in Morocco only. The Argan forest is the domain of the Berber tribes, and only they can harvest the Argan kernels and extract their oil.

2. How is Argan oil useful in beauty products?

Argan oil is 80% essential fatty acids including Omega 6 and Omega 9, twice the vitamin E as in olive oil, prostaglandin, and other elements critical to skin and hair health. Working in concert, these nutrients hydrate, regenerate, and nourish skin and hair cells; repair damaged cells; and help the body manufacture new ones. Argan oil is so beneficial to cellular health that Lancome and other giant companies are now using it in their beauty products.

3. What makes your Berber Gold products unique?

I'm glad you asked that, Mandy. I just read a horror story about the reality of olive oil sold in the U.S. It seems that 67% of olive oil sold in the U.S. is not pure, not cold pressed, not virgin, and is old and rancid. We know that the same merchants dealing with olive oil are dealing with other oils including Argan oil and that the risk of getting Argan oil blended with cheaper oils such as sunflower oil, apricot oil, and olive oil is ever present. This is what sets us apart from all other importers. Berber Gold is driven by a dream and a vision, not by greed and the lust for money. With us, it's about fulfilling a promise a young Berber boy made to his people: to free them from the squalor, illiteracy and disease that dominate their lives.

4. How does your company partner with the Berber people?

One of the two founders of Berber Gold, Mr. Hafid El Hourti, is Berber as are Brahim and Omar who are supervising the operation in Morocco. This allows us access to the innermost circles of the Berber Women's Co-Ops. We deal directly with the women and are able to get the absolute purest Argan oil at a price other merchants can only dream of as well as the endorsement and support of two of the world's leading authorities on the Argan tree and its fruit: Dr. Zoubida Sharouf and Professor Mohammed Shafshouni.

5. As an artist and rancher in California, how did you first hear about Argan oil, and what inspired you to start your company?

Music, health, and serving mankind are passions that have fueled my life. I read about Argan oil in one of the discussion groups I'm subscribed to and for some reason was compelled to order some. It proved to be just as wonderful as advertised and this is where it gets crazy, Mandy: I got on Craigslist, "went" to Morocco and posted an ad. Twenty minutes later I received a response from a Moroccan Berber gentleman, Mr. Hafid El Hourti, who is now my brother and partner in importing 100% pure Argan oil to the U.S.

Thanks, Danny!