Erick Arbé
Golf Web Design
SwingLoft
Avenue Three Media
Golf’s Entrepreneur
MO:
Let me see:
- Card-carrying member of the PGA of America
- Software Designer
- Founder of a Web Design company
Any other skills we should be aware of?
Erick Arbé:
Well, not any that I can say in this interview. I would like to think my management and personal skills are strong points as I continue to grow my businesses.
MO:
When I first met you on the golf course in Myrtle Beach, I thought you were nothing more than a . . . damned good golfer. So I was a bit surprised to later discover you had created video software for golf swing analysis, specifically for the MAC, for golf professionals to use while providing golf instruction. Can you tell me a bit more about SwingLoft and how you came to the decision to target the niche of golf instructors who use a MAC for the video swing analysis of their sessions?
Erick Arbé:
I have always had an interest in graphic design and art. My love for golf seemed to overtake that interest and led me to become a golf professional – first a teaching professional; then my focus shifted on playing professionally. I have always had an interest in computers too. After I got my first Mac computer I was hooked. After teaching golf for 2 years in California, I realized that there were no good video analysis applications for Mac computers. Golf professionals and other sports coaches were stuck with using Windows for their operating systems. I figured, Why not create a software specifically for Mac that any sport professional could use to give a video lesson! I would use it myself, so why wouldn’t other professionals have the same need?
MO:
You’ve been doing web design work for companies in the golf industry. You surprised me yet again recently when you told me you had gone out and acquired the domain name GolfWebDesign.com (GWD) for your business. You know I’m a big fan of that strategic acquisition, but how much do you believe it will play into your efforts to continue to grow your business?
Erick Arbé:
Funny story about how we got that domain name. I asked a good friend and fellow PGA Professional if he wanted to get into the web design business – specifically focused on the golf industry. We had done some work beforehand together on a few web design projects, so I figured why not. We called ourselves PGA Web Design and bought the domain pgawebdesign.com. We figured this would be OK since we are both members of the PGA of America. Unbeknownst to us, the PGA didn’t like us using this name! So after several days of research and deliberation we found out that the most generic and to-the-point URL was already purchased. We contacted the individual who owned GolfWebDesign.com and made an offer. He had the name for sale and never really did anything with it prior to our offer. The rest . . . is history.
MO:
You’ll have a booth at the huge PGA Tradeshow coming up very soon in Orlando, Florida. I attended the show back when I owned GolfCourses.com and my other golf related Internet properties. It’s a big show, and I recall leaving there with bags full of brochures and pockets full of business cards. It was a great way to pack in a year’s worth of networking in just a few days. Have you put a booth together for a tradeshow before? How is that experience? Will you focus on promoting Golf Web Design or SwingLoft, or both?
Erick Arbé:
I actually just returned from the PGA Merchandise show – it was a blast. We were approached by a company called V1 Pro to form a strategic partnership where GWD would provide the website design for customers who needed it. V1 Pro is actually the main Windows competitor of my software, SwingLoft. I had to set aside my goals for SwingLoft in order to make this partnership happen with GWD. We shared a booth with them at the PGA Show and it turned out great. V1 Pro already has a fantastic reputation and only helps our web design company by being associated with them. We met a lot of incredible contacts at the show and we’re excited about the coming months. This was my first time at the PGA Show as an exhibitor, and it couldn’t have been better.
MO:
When I’m launching new ventures, I tend to get what I consider “good insomnia”… I just can’t sleep because the opportunities are big, and I want to go after it 24 hours a day. I like it. How ‘obsessed’ do you get with building and promoting your product offering? I guess the good news for you is a day on the golf course is ‘research’ for your business.
Erick Arbé:
Haha, I wish that was the case. I am playing much less golf right now and sitting in front of a computer much more! Once our business gets big enough to hire a full time programmer, I will hit the links much more often. I am right there with you on the good insomnia – I haven’t worked this hard in my life. I am constantly thinking of new ideas for Golf Web Design and how we can continue to get new clients. I love designing and building great looking and functioning websites, so to see the end product and make clients happy is truly satisfying. Almost as satisfying as winning a golf tournament!
MO:
So you’ve had the great pleasure of seeing my golf game a few times now… should I pursue a career in the Senior Tour or do you recommend I continue to bask in the glow sitting in front of my computer monitor?
Erick Arbé:
Ha! You typically have a good time on the golf course, and I would hate to see you raise your standards any – that would only lead to more frustration! Although that little draw you play would definitely help you out on the tour…
