One of the most dissapointing features to the Newsweek article is that, despite my pleading, the editors chose not to feature any of the photos which included Matt & Kat - nor were they mentioned in the article, prompting Matt's mom to exclaim - "you got robbed!"
Indeed they did, and, although it's a small condolence prize, I've got a leftover polaroid used by Gabriela (our photographer) to measure light levels, that can serve as slight recognition:
Left to right: Gillian Muessig, Rand Fishkin, Matt Inman & Kat Ortland
Their individual efforts are worthy of at least the attention given to me by Newsweek.
Gillian - Along with being my mom, she's also the founder of the company, and had been doing print and identity design work, as well as branding and advertising consulting, since I was born. Not too shabby for a lady raising three kids. Today, she manages the financial, administrative and client relations of our firm with exceptional skill.
Matt - Matt joined us in 2003 and is responsible for the design, development, programming and hosting of our clients' sites. His amazing work is also being used for SEO - he's building a new suite of SEO tools right now (in addition to managing the technical side of at least a half dozen other websites). His first prototype is the newly re-built keyword difficulty tool (note the GUI and functionality improvements).
Kat - Kat joined us literally the day of the photoshoot, but has fit in perfectly. She's repsonsible for several SEM campaigns right now, in addition to managing ad buys for our clients and starting on some link building campaigns. In fact, it was her recent efforts that have boosted Avatarfinancial.com (mentioned in the article) back up since Jagger.
Without great people behind me, there would be no company. I couldn't operate this business or experience success without them. I wish everyone the luck I've had in finding co-workers like these - dedicated, intelligent, capable and willing. Thanks gang.
Nice to see your team, Rand. :)
Way to go with the article Rand (nice yellow shoes)! You and Earl Grey both taught me a lot about SEO back in the days of SEO Chat. Good to see you finally getting some recognition, and hopefully some new business. Do all of these new clients know about your $19.00 SEO prices? Don't go jacking the price up now that you've gone big time. I heard you're on the other forums now, I tried it out for a minute, but it wasn't my thing. You should stop by Refugee every once in a while if you ever have free time again.
I could easily fit in, already two of you are my age :-)
I had found you already through a site:seomoz.org search some time ago and even though Rand explicitely asked to leave you out of the interview I do credit you girls (and guy) ;-)
I never imagined you all to be so young and pretty ! ;) Its always nice yo put a face behind the name.
Wow, 50% of female on a SEO firm, that's huge! Personally, all the SEO companies that I know only have males, how sad! Your team looks great Rand, that's weird to see your real face, I always thought your Avatar was your real picture until you said the contrary on cre8!
Thanks, guys. I hope to have them meet everyone in person during the San Jose SES show in 2006. We'll empty the office and get a few hotel rooms for that one.
It's nice to meet the team.