5 ms·

I agree with the idea of openness. But, if that much money started coming in for something I made, I'd feel awkward reporting on the numbers.

• cwan 17y ago
  Not sure if he'd thought it through that far, but it seems like a pretty good and calculated risk that's paying off. The fact that he is as open as he is (though hopefully he knows better than to report numbers that appear worse to the IRS), I think makes his customers want him to succeed that much more. Broadly, it's a tool that enables others to build their own sites but also their own businesses (and I think entrepreneurs like supporting each other as it helps prove that the rewards do indeed exist). It lets users share, in a sense, in the success to be associated with a product they've used while also being inspired. Of course, there can be a thin line between sharing and bragging/offending his user base, but I think he treads it quite well.
  • kevinherron 17y ago
    I think they moved HQ to Italy. Would they still have to report to the IRS?
    • cwan 17y ago
      Hmmm that I didn't know. That could be complicated if they moved in the last year (e.g. deemed disposition of shares and all that). I guess as long as they're reporting to whoever the appropriate reporting authority is though I doubt Italy's tax department is as sophisticated as the IRS (they're known to have checked out facebook profiles).
    • balsamiq 17y ago
      We have HQ in Italy but most of our business comes through our US presence, so yes we report to the IRS...AND to the Italian taxman. We're a micro-multinational! :)