Rich Schott
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Rich Schott "If you want to work the rest of your life that’s your business, if you don’t that’s my business."

Past Projects

Funtastic Marketing (1993 – 1997)

One of my greatest challenges was trying to do business with a non-educated marketplace. People weren’t ready to grasp the Internet’s “worldwide” concept. It was too complex and also lacked the crucial “human” elements of communication. Undaunted by skeptics, I pursued the new technology. People didn’t realize the Internet’s full potential. To be honest, neither did I. All I knew was that it was going to be a huge communication tool. I didn’t know I was getting in front of something so big.

I knew that I had to keep up or get run over. I wasn’t much of a computer guy. I had to become computer savvy, which was like learning a whole new language, and stay tuned to the evolving Internet markets at the same time. Also, technology was rapidly changing. The “latest and greatest” one day could be outdated the next, so every day presented new challenges. Change is generally where opportunities lie, so I embraced them all. That’s not to say it wasn’t frustrating.

By mid 1994, AOL was reaching one million members, and websites were gaining momentum. Technology that was once only available to large companies was now accessible to small businesses and individuals. I recognized the need for local businesses to have an Internet presence and moved on to website design, multi-media, search engine optimization, marketing, and project development.

Before long, many people could relate to online technology, and by 1996 the Internet had exploded and was taking on a life of its own. That is when I first understood the quote, “Timing Beats Talent”. Even though 9 out of every 10 things I did were wrong, the marketplace was expanding and evolving faster than I could make mistakes, and the things I did do right compounded quicker than I could have imagined. I learned the power of rapid growth and creating a leveraged residual income, and I finally realized what a former client meant by positioning myself in front of growth. I was on the fast track to success, and the timing couldn’t have been better. In the following years, I was able generate millions of dollars in business from the comfort of my home.

My business associates and friends picked up on the rapid success and wanted tips on starting an Internet-related, home-based business. Unfortunately, I couldn’t show them how to do it because it happened so fast, and timing was the key to my success. Looking back, I can see that I actually helped lay the foundation for the way the world communicates today.

I knew from the beginning that being self-employed wouldn’t necessarily give me more free time, but it would give me a flexible schedule, depending on family and business needs. Some days, I worked around the clock, other days I chaperoned school field trips, spent late afternoons coaching little league and soccer, and helped care for the kids when they were sick. One of the greatest perks was being there every day when my kids returned home from school.

Funmark Advertising, Inc. (1997 - 2013)

In 1997, I changed my company’s name to Funmark Advertising, Inc. and became incorporated for the many tax advantages associated with a rapidly growing company. The online market continued to grow. I knew as long as I could stay in the game and capture some of it I’d be okay. Funmark had thousands of clients and the business was on autopilot only requiring a few hours a month for accounting and daily check deposits. Unfortunately, due to a divorce this business was liquidated in 2013. Building residual based income streams is the key to financial freedom.

Budget Hosting (1998 – 2000)

By mid 1998, the masses were hitting the Internet and websites were becoming increasingly popular. People needed hosting space for web sites. With little competition at the time, I launched Budget Hosting, a subsidiary of Funmark and once again positioned myself in front of a growing market. I was soon servicing several thousand clients, including seven percent based in Southeast Asia. I never did any advertising. It just happened. Within a year and a half, I had thousands of competitors and decided to sell this hosting division for several hundred thousand dollars to generate revenue for my next project.

Marylandinfo.com (2000 – Present)

While the Internet offers access to the world, some companies have no use for national or international exposure. In 2000, I founded Marylandinfo.com which is a Maryland-based search engine providing online advertising and marketing solutions for companies that want to target local Internet users. I have helped over 8,000 local businesses set up targeted traffic generation. Each year, the site generates several million visitors and requires less than an hour a month to maintain. Again, a residual income stream with very little personal involvement equaling time freedom.

Equal Hosting (2002 – Present)

People still need hosting space for web sites. However with a much more competitive marketplace, I launched another hosting company to help new and existing clients as an added convenience. Equal Hosting services several hundred clients and was done without any traditional advertising.

Semi-Retirement at age 34 (2003)

By the end of 2002, I had built a leveraged residual income that came in with or without my daily involvement. I realized that it did not take age to retire and decided to semi-retire and spend more time fishing, a lifelong dream. In 2003, I fished on the Chesapeake Bay nearly every day. While on the water, I brainstormed for ways to support my passion and started a sport fishing charter business, Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing, LLC. I also took time to acquire my U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain’s license. I realized that even though I had financial independence and time freedom, I still needed something to do. I have never been one to stand still too long.

Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing, LLC (2003 – Present)

With a passion for fishing it only made sense for me to do what needed to be done to fish every day and have a fleet of floating mobile offices. Currently I own two 52′ custom fishing boats "Net Profits" & "Jessie Girl", 46' "Vagabond" and two 42' custom fishing boats "Retirment Fun" and ""Kathy C". I also purchased and restored the 60' yacht "Seafood", which is the original iconic yacht that Rodney Dangerfield drove in the movie Caddyshack. In addition, I have ten full-time captains and mates who run the boats. Even though I am a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, I would rather just show up at the dock with friends and go fishing allowing one of the captains to run the boat. Today it is the largest private fleet on the Chesapeake Bay.

VMdirect / Helloworld (Fall 2003 – 2009)

As a successful business person I have always been open to hearing about new things in the marketplace. As you have heard me mention before, timing has been a key factor in my successes. When I was introduced to this network marketing company and their vision about video communications I saw it right away. Over the six years as an independent distributor I built an organization of thousands of people and made over $1,200,000 in commissions. I have always said that I would never sacrifice my morals and integrity for money and found myself in a situation that I needed to make a tough choice. The company was making some very bad decisions and I became very vocal about what was taking place since it was going to effect all the distributors in the company. In August 2009, I decided to walkaway from this company to protect my morals, integrity and reputation. This included walking away from a nice six figure residual income that I had built, however I can sleep well at night knowing I did the right thing. It was not an easy decision, but the right one!

Attain Response (2008 - Present)

In 2004, I met a gentleman who shared a similar vision to offer online video communications to the masses. After lengthy research, I felt this premier technology was going to humanize the Internet with a simple web cam. Based on what I heard and saw, I knew this technology could be the biggest thing to hit the Internet. I’ve never been one to gamble when it comes to business, but I don’t mind taking risks if the potential outcome is worth it. As a lead investor and share holder I learned in 2011 that the risks became too great with little upside as a result of management decisions. Unfortunately, as a result of the company partnering with unethical management of a company named ComF5 it has proven to be a bad business investment. I am still a major shareholder, but 30% of nothing is still nothing. Maybe something will happen in the future, but I am not too optimistic on this one. You can't win them all!

Appreciation Marketing (2009 – Present)

Over the years I have become evangelical about marketing and found an incredible asset called Appreciation Marketing. This is revolutionizing the way people communicate professionally and personally with the written word, thoughts and feelings. And the timing is excellent, especially with the up-and-coming generation of digital-age consumers, “Generation Y,” which already includes a slice of the teenager and young adult population. At nearly 80 million strong, they’re craving the latest technology creating the biggest marketing opportunity since the Baby Boomers. It’s the market everybody is going to be chasing.

Firehouse Pub (2013 - 2017)

I have to say... this was one of my craziest impulse buys! Not sure why I got in the bar business, however it was a fun place to hang out. The pub was dedicated to firefighters around the world. Unfortunately, do to unethical landlords and them not renewing my 4 year lease I had to close the successful business. I lost $150,000 on this deal from no fault of mine or the business. This business venture taught me the value of owning and controlling the real estate. Another valuable business lesson learned. However, on a very positive note I did meet the new love of my life there. She has been awesome and I can now look back and say that having her in my life now is worth way more than the loss of the business. Even losses can have a positive outcome!

Flip Flop O'Clock (2017 - Present)

Now... this was my craziest start of impulse buys! While on vacation in the Dominican Republic with the new love of my life, I decided to buy a small beach bar. The small building just 50 yards by sand to the ocean needed a full 100% rehab. Needles to say, I speak little to no spanish. The following week of vacation was spent barefeet in the sand and beer in the hand all while directing local Dominicans through the rehab process. In one week they installed new concrete blocks, roof, awning, tile, electric, plumbing, painting, beer coolers, stools, outdoor furniture, new bathroom including the concrete walls and built the bar. WOW, I was impressed at how quickly it all came together. Then we had to stock the bar... game on! During this week I made some great local contacts.

A few months later, I bought a small 30' fishing boat and local fishing permit and started a fishing charter business. I soon found out that a 30' boat was too small and bought a 54' Bertram from Puerto Rico and brought it to the Dominican Republic. Now I have the largest fishing boat and best equipment on the North Coast. In addition, I have added a small 23' skiff for diving and snorkeling trips along with all the associated gear.

A year later, I bought a sports bar and restaurant just 2 minutes from the beach. This venture has been a fun ride allowing me to spend most of the winter months in the Caribbean. Caribbean life is awesome!

Out of Semi-Retirement (Present)

WHY? CLICK HERE to learn why I am more excited than ever about about Timing in the Marketplace.