ICA Member Profile: Brian Harbin

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Brian Harbin has been an independent domain broker with GritBrokerage for over 4 years. He is also the Director of Sales for NamePros for the past 3 1/2 years. Brian has been in sales since he was 18 (about 20 years now) when he started selling educational books door to door as a freshman at the University of Georgia. He then transitioned to building an insurance agency which he ran for 14 years. About 4.5 years ago a friend introduced him to brokerage in the domain name industry, which turned out to be a perfect fit based on his background in sales and it allowed him to work from home, which was important at that time.

Brian has been married to his wife Jen for almost 13 years. They have 3 boys Stone (10), Max (6), and Charles (2). They have lived in Jacksonville, Florida now for 12 years.

Profile Questions

Name: Brian Harbin
Company: GritBrokerage
Favorite Industry Blog(s): NamePros

Tell us a little bit about your background and your personal story.
I’ve been married to my wife Jen for almost 13 years. We have 3 boys Stone (10), Max (6), and Charles (2). We have lived in Jacksonville, Florida now for 12 years. I have been in sales since I was 18 (about 20 years now) when I started selling educational books door to door as a freshman at the University of Georga, and then I transitioned to building an insurance agency which I ran for 14 years

How did you get involved in the domain industry?
About 4.5 years ago a friend introduced me to the industry and it was a perfect fit based on my background in sales and needing to work from home more at that time in my life

What is your current role?
Domain Broker/Owner (GritBrokerage) and NamePros (Director of Sales)

Why did you choose to support the ICA?
I believe in what the organization stands for.

Can you share a prediction about the future of the domain industry?
The best is yet to come.

What do you like most about the domain industry?
It’s exciting to be a part of an industry where the best is yet to come. I think there is more and more awareness of the value of domain/internet assets, and I think we are all positioned well for when the demand becomes even greater.

If you could change one thing about the domain industry what would it be?
That people relied less on email and utilized more phone and face to face interaction.

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges the domain industry is faced with?
Credibility and integrity. I think groups like the ICA will help put a face to the internet/domain industry which is needed. Certain people are drawn to our industry by being able to work behind a computer, and even though they sometimes can/do add value to our industry, others exploit that ability and there remains the issue of maintaining a level of ethics that this industry will need in order to garner a wider respect for exponential growth.

What do you wish other people knew about the ICA?
The need for organizations like this one and the greater initiative they are serving.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the ICA?
For me, it just made sense to support the overall industry.

What unexpected doors opened for you because of your involvement in the domain industry?
The sale of ICE.com earlier this year.

What’s the best advice ever received (domain related or otherwise)?
Don’t heavily invest in domains when you first jump into the industry. Use the time to study and learn from those that are successful before you spend your hard earned money.

What are your main interests outside of the domain industry?
I buy, renovate, rent, sell homes and properties locally. I also have coached both of my sons’ flag football teams the past few years

Favorite place to get away:
Hotel at the beach with my wife.

[message type=”information”]The views expressed here are the personal views of the member and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ICA.[/message]