The Online Auction King: Pierre Omidyar is Born
The Online Auction King: Pierre Omidyar is Born
Omidyar has come a long way since being born on June 21, 1967, in Paris, France, to Iranian immigrants. When he was six years old, his family moved to Washington, D.C., so his father – a physician – could take up residency at John Hopkins University Medical Centre. His parents separated when Omidyar was just two years old, and although he lived with his mother, his father was always a part of his life. It was while attending St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland that Omidyar first developed an interest in computing. After moving to Hawaii to finish grades eight and nine, Omidyar returned to Washington to finish high school.
Because his family always seemed to be moving around, Omidyar was never in one place long enough to make a lot of friends his own age. “There weren’t a lot of kids around, and when I was younger I ended up hanging out with adults a lot more, because I had to,” he recalls. “I kind of grew up very quickly and became a little more mature more quickly than I see some of my relatives these days.”
Omidyar admits that he was the typical geek growing up. “I was actually interested in gadgets, little electronic gadgets,” he says. “I always managed to break them for one reason or another, of course, as kids do, and then I would take them apart and try to fix them, which I was never able to.” It was in third grade that Omidyar saw his first computer – a TRS-80 with 4K of memory. That would mark the end of the beginning.
From that point on, Omidyar did everything he could to spend time with computers and learn how to program them. “I was one of these guys that didn't really study, so I don't think I was a good student,” he says. “I used to actually cut gym and sneak into the computer room – which wasn't really a room, it was a closet where they kept the computer between classes – and played on the computer.”
Following high school, Omidyar enrolled in Tufts University, where he would graduate in 1998 with a degree in computer science. “I am very proud to say that I graduated from Tufts University with better than a 3.0 average. It was actually 3.01,” recalls Omidyar. “During my entire four years there at Tufts my GPA improved every single semester, which gives you an idea of where I started.”
Despite his less than stellar academic performance, Omidyar had little difficulty finding a job, and was promptly hired by Claris, a division of Apple Computer. Here, he worked on developing software for the Macintosh and helped write MacDraw. The position allowed Omidyar to indulge his passion for computers, but there was an entrepreneurial instinct within him that would not rest quiet for too long.
The Online Auction King Pierre Omidyar is Born
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“I started eBay as an experiment, as a side hobby basically, while I had my day job,” recalls Pierre Omidyar. An unexpected success, that side hobby has today become the world’s largest personal online trading community. The website hosts nearly four million auctions every day, with almost half a million new items being added for sale every 24 hours. Omidyar’s personal net worth is estimated to be roughly $10 billion.
Omidyar has come a long way since being born on June 21, 1967, in Paris, France, to Iranian immigrants. When he was six years old, his family moved to Washington, D.C., so his father – a physician – could take up residency at John Hopkins University Medical Centre. His parents separated when Omidyar was just two years old, and although he lived with his mother, his father was always a part of his life. It was while attending St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland that Omidyar first developed an interest in computing. After moving to Hawaii to finish grades eight and nine, Omidyar returned to Washington to finish high school.
Because his family always seemed to be moving around, Omidyar was never in one place long enough to make a lot of friends his own age. “There weren’t a lot of kids around, and when I was younger I ended up hanging out with adults a lot more, because I had to,” he recalls. “I kind of grew up very quickly and became a little more mature more quickly than I see some of my relatives these days.”
Omidyar admits that he was the typical geek growing up. “I was actually interested in gadgets, little electronic gadgets,” he says. “I always managed to break them for one reason or another, of course, as kids do, and then I would take them apart and try to fix them, which I was never able to.” It was in third grade that Omidyar saw his first computer – a TRS-80 with 4K of memory. That would mark the end of the beginning.
From that point on, Omidyar did everything he could to spend time with computers and learn how to program them. “I was one of these guys that didn't really study, so I don't think I was a good student,” he says. “I used to actually cut gym and sneak into the computer room – which wasn't really a room, it was a closet where they kept the computer between classes – and played on the computer.”
Following high school, Omidyar enrolled in Tufts University, where he would graduate in 1998 with a degree in computer science. “I am very proud to say that I graduated from Tufts University with better than a 3.0 average. It was actually 3.01,” recalls Omidyar. “During my entire four years there at Tufts my GPA improved every single semester, which gives you an idea of where I started.”
Despite his less than stellar academic performance, Omidyar had little difficulty finding a job, and was promptly hired by Claris, a division of Apple Computer. Here, he worked on developing software for the Macintosh and helped write MacDraw. The position allowed Omidyar to indulge his passion for computers, but there was an entrepreneurial instinct within him that would not rest quiet for too long.
The Online Auction King Pierre Omidyar is Born
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My preview of Woz’s book, I, Woz, got me thinking of engineers who embody purity. Another outstanding example of this is Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay. On September 5, 2000, I did a “fireside chat” with Pierre... |
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“I started eBay as an experiment, as a side hobby basically, while I had my day job,” recalls Pierre Omidyar. An unexpected success, that side hobby has today become the world’s largest personal online trading commu... |
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In 1991, Omidyar joined forces with three friends to launch his first startup, Ink Development Corp. A pen-based computing company, Ink was later renamed eShop Inc. and Omidyar continued to work as a software engine... |
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“I was raised with the notion that you can do pretty much anything you want,” says Omidyar. “I always kind of just went ahead and tried things.” |
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“When you look at the accomplishments of accomplished people and you say, ‘Boy, that must have been really hard,’…that was probably hard,” says Omidyar. “And conversely, when you look at something that looks easy, t... |
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Bernard ReberBack in late 1992, MS Access hit the streets. About that time the company I managed needed new software to handle their growing client base and I decided to try this new product. I had little difficulty writing and adapting a database to suit us and discovered a hidden talent for programming. A business was born. With business studies and 25 years of management experience in three different countries under my belt, I could offer a unique combination of skills and my customers agreed. From these humble beginnings my software 'invoiceit' emerged in 1999 and has since been taken to 49 states (hello Wyoming, won't you join us?), all across Canada and more than 70 other countries. From the very beginning the program included cashbook accounting, the simplest form of keeping financial business records. The Dictionary.com defines 'cashbook' as "A 'book' in which to record money received and paid out". For 'book' substitute 'simple software' and that's what I'm about. Now I have published Simple Accounting, an inexpensive spreadsheet solution which even you can master. For just $14.95 it costs less than a takeout meal! More at http://www.scrambled-card.com/simple_accounting_main.htm - Visit Bernard Reber's Website |
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Jay Kubassek(Jay's Full Bio: EvanCarmichael.com/jaykubassek) Jay Kubassek is a Canadian born entrepreneur, internet marketing genius, professional speaker, international real estate developer/investor, executive film producer, extreme sport enthusiast and a passionate supporter of several charities worldwide. In 2007, Jay's vision and dedication to help other entrepreneurs and business owners duplicate his marketing success led to the creation of his fourth company CarbonCopyPRO, an internet marketing firm already worth over 15 million dollars that has over 20 employees and contract workers with clients is 12 different countries. Jay resides in NYC with his girlfriend Jamie, three year old son Milo and dog Cooper. As executive producer he recently premiered his first film in the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. As an adventurist he is racing the 2008 Baja 1000 off-road race and is a member of the 2008 U.S. National Elephant Polo Team, The New York Blue who will be representing the US in the 2008 World Championships in Nepal. Visit Jay's Blog: www.JayKubassek.com - Visit Jay Kubassek's Website |
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Michel NerayMichel Neray has over 25 years of experience as an award-winning copywriter, an Internet pioneer, a tradeshow pitchman and a senior sales and marketing executive. An online pioneer, he was one of the first marketing professionals to embrace the Internet by building websites as early as 1993. In 1994, Michel co-authored a book entitled "The Great Crossover: Personal Confidence in the Age of the Microchip", which made it to Jack Canfield's Achiever's Recommended Reading List. Michel founded Portfolios.com in 1995, the world's first online source directory for creative professionals and one of the first websites based on community generated content. Since creating The Essential Message in 2003, Michel has helped thousands of independent professionals and entrepreneurs as well as growing corporations find a better way to differentiate, position and brand themselves. In 2005, his chapter "Everything Starts With A Conversation" was selected as the lead for the book, "Sales Gurus Speak Out" and re-published in 2008 for 'Awakening The Workplace Volume 3'. He is also a co-author of "In the Company of Leaders" (2008) with 40 top North American leadership experts. - Visit Michel Neray's Website |
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For an online Car Loan Calculator and finance for a cheap car loan. Get approved on car loans or car finance in Australia with cheap bank car loans and finding a car finance broker. Commercial car loans including business car finance and car lease. Car Loan Calculator has information on finance companies and getting the right cheap car loan from banks at best car loan rates and a online car loan calculator for all finance in Australia. Get the best car finance with our help at Car Loan Calculator and Finance Ezi. - Visit Richard Jefferies's Website |
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Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
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My preview of Woz’s book, I, Woz, got me thinking of engineers who embody purity. Another outstanding example of this is Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay. On September 5, 2000, I did a “fireside chat” with Pierre...
“I started eBay as an experiment, as a side hobby basically, while I had my day job,” recalls Pierre Omidyar. An unexpected success, that side hobby has today become the world’s largest personal online trading commu...













