DomainInvesting.com

Donna Mahony is the founder of DomainBoardroom.com, a recently formed domain community made up of great minds in the domain business. Donna will tell you that she’s a “dumb bored housewife,” but in my opinion, she is far from dumb, and I can’t even imagine that she is bored! Donna comes from a hard working family from Boston, and she learned at a young age that a person must be guided by strong work and business ethics to be successful.

After she was injured in a car accident in 1997, Donna turned to her computer to help make a living. Turns out, it was one of the smartest things she did. Donna built a strong portfolio based on a PPC model, and she never looked back; However, she frequently would give back to people looking to get into the domain business. Many people remember the early days on the forums where Donna would give advice to people struggling in the business. This is one of the reasons why people like, respect and admire Donna. I am glad I know Donna, and I hope this interview allows others to get to know her better.

1.) EJS: A few months ago you built DomainBoardroom.com, and it quickly filled with some of the smartest people in the business. What sets Domain Boardroom apart from other professional domain discussion forums?

DM: “DomainBoardroom.com is different in that a domainer needs to earn their way in. A person need only be willing to learn, share and have a great reputation for admittance. Feedback I get tells me the “no noise” atmosphere is the biggest attraction for those wanting a place to meet and greet with like minded folks.”

2.) EJS: What was the first domain name you ever purchased, and do you still own it?

DM: “The first domain I ever registered was winfreecash.net . It was just a banner farm all centered down the middle 🙂 In an interview with Ron Jackson here he tells the whole story.”

3.) EJS: If you won a $10 million lottery, would you retire or invest it back into the domain industry? If you choose the former, where would you like to retire, and if you choose the later, in what area of the domain business would you invest?

DM: “Well, if I chose retiring somewhere..it would be right here on my mini-ranch in Arizona! Actually, I would just cut back in my time at the computer and keep doing what I do! I would probably by a large portfolio or a few stellar domains.”

4.) EJS: Do you regret ever selling a domain name? If so, which name was it and why do you regret it?

DM: “I have always enjoyed doing a little selling and never regret the sale. If I see it eventually worth more than I sold for…well, I am just happy that somebody knows they got a good deal!

5.) EJS: There have been several articles about parents purchasing the .com domain name of their newborn baby. Do you own the .com of any of your horses’ names?

DM: “I had a good laugh at this one. No horse has his own domain, but one of my dogs does! And a little stud colt born here this past spring is named for an exec at my favorite parking company, DomainSponsor.com The horses name is Pistols Ron.”

BONUS QUESTIONS!!

6.) EJS: What do you think is the biggest threat to the domain investment business, and what is your recommendation to eliminate the threat?

DM: “Wow, lots of answers to this but bottom line is that we need a united front. An organization run by folks that are squeaky clean and devoted to the industry for the love of the industry, not the love of the cash flow.”

7.) EJS: What personal accomplishment are you most proud of in the domain business?

DM: “I have 2 answers here. I am proud of my success with DomainBoardroom.com. A successful forum is rare and for DBR to be the big immediate success that it is, speaks well of all of us who started it. Less tangible answer is my proudest moment…Ron Jackson approached me at a DomainFest and told me he often hears about my ethics and willingness to help everyone. It doesn’t get much better!”

8.) EJS: What is your least favorite aspect of the domain investment business?

DM: “What I refer to as “Domainer ADHD” . There are so many exciting avenues to explore everyday that I have a hard time focusing on any one of them and find myself spread too thin all over the place!”