jiwire.com

Wireless and Wi-Fi. They're today's hottest buzzwords. Wireless technology is exploding onto the scene and now everyone from serious business professionals to home computer users and even coffee shops rely on some kind of wireless technology.

And that's where JiWire comes in. JiWire offers a comprehensive wireless and Wi-Fi information anywhere on the planet. Need to find a hotspot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, or London, England? No problem.

Your name: Kevin McKenzie

Position / title: Founder & CEO

Company name: JiWire, Inc.

Website: www.jiwire.com

Your company / website vision statement / goal:

To facilitate Wi-Fi and wireless broadband connections for the mobile workforce.

What you sell / services you offer (brief description of your company):

JiWire maintains relationships with more than 400 individual Wireless Internet Service Providers, which enables the company to offer users the world’s most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to free and commercial Wi-Fi hotspot locations.

JiWire offers the most comprehensive Wi-Fi and wireless broadband information anywhere on the planet. We're the first and last place to look regarding any wireless question wireless users might have. Need to find a hotspot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, or London, England? No problem. JiWire features the worlds most comprehensive and up-to date directory of free and commercial Wi-Fi hotspot locations. JiWire also offers unbiased authoritative how-to guides, product reviews, and industry news that demystify the hype and enable mobile professionals and wireless enthusiasts to leverage a Web without wires.

We currently sell two products to the Wi-Fi industry:

1. Information on where people can connect to Wi-Fi worldwide. Companies such as Yahoo, Intel, Avantgo, and CNET Networks license this information for their websites and mobile devices.

2. Online advertising to Wi-Fi manufactures and service providers that want to reach a Wi-Fi enthusiast audience.

Have you always wanted to run your own business?

I have always been curious about running my own business. I knew that I didn’t want to do it until I had operational experience and an idea around something that I think people need.

What were some of your previous jobs / companies?

Prior to starting JiWire, I was the senior vice president of CNET Networks' Shopping Services, which include its three Web sites developed to support tech buyers through every phase of the purchasing process: CNET, ZDNet Shopper, and mySimon. The sites integrate trusted editorial, including news and product reviews, with a powerful technology product data engine to fuel the decision-making and buying processes for a variety of tech audiences, from IT professionals and business decision makers, to people who rely on technology in their personal lives.

Prior to heading CNET's Shopping Services, I was senior vice president of CNET Channel, a business unit of CNET Networks and a provider of online technology product data, sales tools, and services for companies throughout the IT supply chain.

Prior to joining CNET Networks, I held the position of online marketing manager at Internet Shopping Network, the first online computer superstore in the world. I joined ISN as the third employee in 1994 and pioneered some of the first e-commerce marketing on the Web.

Have you got any qualifications?

A lot of operating experience in product management and running internet business divisions for public companies. I learned just about everything I know by playing an entrepreneurial and product management role for CNET and the Internet Shopping Network.

Please tell us about yourself academically?

Not much to tell. I have an undergrad from California State University Chico in Business. I really developed my passion and expertise for the Internet after college and learned most of what I know about running my business after I was out of college. The industry was so new at the time, and being in the middle of it all as it was being created, I felt that there was really no reason to go back to graduate school.

How / when did the idea of your website / company come about?

In 2002 I became fascinated with what was happening with Wi-Fi and the fact that big companies like Intel and Cisco were developing products to put Wi-Fi in everyone’s hands. When I went looking on the Internet for information about Wi-Fi, I really didn’t find any services that could describe Wi-Fi for the end consumer and really educate them how to use it and where to connect.

If you could give readers of this book one piece of advice what would it be?

Don’t over-think things to death. If you have a good idea follow your passion, stay focused, and build your vision. There are a lot of people out there with good advice, but some times they make everything sound too difficult. Don’t get discouraged.

Who are your role models / mentors and why?

The founders and Senior Executives behind CNET. Shelby Bonnie, Halsey Minor, and Matthew Barzun definitely taught me a lot about running a company and building great products. They always built products with the philosophy that passion for the users’ needs will drive the foundation for a good product.

Excluding yours, what company / website do you like / admire the most?

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