A Half Decade in VoIP

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Five years. More specifically, the last five years. Where have they gone?

It dawned on me earlier this week, that this week marks my five year anniversary at VoIP Supply and as a part of the VoIP industry. For most people, a five year anniversary is a little more than a yawn. Not for me. When you couple the fact that I have the attention span of a kindergarten student on meth and that five years accounts for almost 20% of the total time I have spent on this planet,  it is pretty easy to see why this five year mark is special to me.

I still remember my first day in this industry like it was yesterday. I have seen a lot, done a lot and thankfully accomplished a lot - all while having the most fun of any period in my life (yes, IP can be more fun then, say, keg stands). In thinking and reminiscing about the last five years, I thought that it would be fitting to take a trip down memory lane and share with you some of my most memorable moments. Some of these are random events, some are insightful comments, accomplishments and awards. They aren’t listed in any paritcular order (except maybe date of occurence) as all of them have played an important role in getting me to where I am today.

So, if you are interested in a little peak as to the moments that stick out in my mind over the last five years, please read on.

• November 2003 - I make my first VoIP call that I actually know is a VoIP call.
• November 2003 - Built the first racks in the warehouse; as a commission only sales rep.
• December 2003 - Learned the story of the baby bull and papa bull. If don’t know it, don’t ask.
• December 2003 - Made my first Skype call. Pretty cool, but why wouldn’t AIM just add calling?
• January 2004 - Finally realized I made the right decision in a career choice.
• June 2004 - Got a taste of the American dream. It was then tastefully reigned in.
• August 2004 - Launched VoIPSupply.com. I laughed as it had more networking equipment then VoIP equipment.
• August 2004 - We get an order the first day. Everyone is amazed.
• December 2004 - VoIPSupply.com is taking off. VoIP becomes the sole concentration
• January 2005 - Attend my first IT Expo. I wore a suit. How un-Smith-like.
• January 2005 - “You don’t have to be old to be great.” Great advice Ben, thanks.
• Febuary 2005 - Get promoted to Director. My friends think the CEO is crazy.
• Spring 2005 - Brett Crandall joins us. Great guy and upgrade to the organization.
• June 2005 - I “depoly” my first ever Asterisk server all by myself.
• Fall 2005 - I go to my first VON. Wow.
• Fall 2005 - We exhibit at an IT EXPO. Man, these tradeshows sure are hard work.
• September 2005 - “That’s not a phone system, that’s a PC.” The statement that shape my thinking about marketing.
• November 2005 - I start a VoIP blog. No one notices. Well, maybe 20 people.
• December 2005 - Wow. We have like 30 people now.
• January 2006 - Hugely successful IT EXPO.
• February 2006 - We need VoIP appliances. Ones that don’t look like PC’s. Talk to Chris.
• March 2006 - Great time at Spring VON.
• April 2006 -Launch first ever Vonage kiosk in local mall. It was my idea start to finish. Learned a lot about business.
• June 2006 - We make Entrepreneur magazine’s HOT 100 list.
• June 2006 - We are named the fastet growing company in the area.
• August 2006 - I write the post that changes the game.
• August 2006 - Alec Saunders “discovers” me.
• September 2006 - I attend my first Andy Abramson dinner. Can’t believe I am dining and debating with these guys.
• October 2006 - We exhibit at our last IT EXPO. 50 x 50 booth makes a huge statement and is a huge success.
• December 2006 - I can believe 150 people a day read my blog.
• January 2007 - I go to my first CES. Learn all about OEM and what VoIP companies use them.
• April 2007 - I now have 10 different IP phones and three different phone systems in my house.
• May 2007 - 1,000 people are now subscribed to my feed. How the heck?
• June 2007 - We make the INC 500 for the first time
• August 2007 - This year has been a blur to date.
• September 2007 - Get to talk with Russell Shaw for three hours at one of Andy’s dinners. Cool dude.
• November 2007 - I poke and prod everyone all the way to launching IPCameraSupply.com. It is a huge success.
• December 2007 - Best. Year. Ever.
• April 2008 - We are named a Best Place to Work. Best award of all.
• June 2008 - Two year’s in a row on the INC 500.
• November 2008 - Meet Steve Wozniak.
• November 2008 - What a great five years. I hope the next five are just as fun, enjoyable and prosperous.