Content area
Full text
When asked, Joe Firmage states his age matter-of-factly: 26. But after a second or two, he adds, "It's the mileage. Not the years."
He should know. He's spent about a third of his life in the computer business, beginning with a software start-up in 1989 and then working for Novell. A year ago, he launched US Web, an ambitious attempt to cash in on the huge demand among businesses for Internet and intranet services.
In practice, US Web is a franchisor. US Web offers its name, marketing efforts, purchasing power and other benefits to companies that are accepted as franchisees. The franchisees pay a one-time entry fee of $25,000 to $50,000 and an ongoing 7 percent of their service revenue to US Web.
Firmage says US Web has received more than 3,000 applications from prospective franchisees. Roughly 2 percent have been accepted. US Web now has 60 to 65 U.S. offices, which is in line with the company's goal of 200 to 250 domestic offices by 1999. Profitability is another goal, and one that Firmage expects US Web could reach late this year. In a recent conversation with associate publisher/editorial Richard March, Firmage explained how he wants to push the franchise model to a new level. The only regret he has since launching US Web is that it was initially characterized as "McWeb" or a Kinko's of the Internet. Instead, Firmage sees US Web more as part of a network of consulting and services companies that provide businesses with Internet, intranet and extranet solutions. Much like Price Waterhouse and other upmarket consulting firms, US Web wants to put a premium on innovative and technical expertise.
VARBusiness: Do you know what the aggregate revenue would be for the 60 companies that you have already signed up?
Firmage: We know exactly how much revenue there is, and we know it every 30 days. It's not something I can share, but it places us easily as the largest Web consulting company in the world that is dedicated to this kind of business.
VB:Just for a reference point, would it be more than $100 million?
Firmage: Probably less. But it's a figure we'll cross before too long.
VB:You now figure, say two years from now, you'll be in...