Launching an Internet business not always smooth surfing

February 2, 2000
Web posted at: 1:22 PM EST (1822 GMT)

By From CNN San Francisco Bureau Chief Greg Lefevre

SAN FRANCISCO -- With all the buzz about the booming Internet economy, launching an e-commerce business that sells computer software might seem a sure bet to lure millions of dollars in venture capital funds, right?

Well, not exactly.

"It's a lot harder than I thought," said Mike Kurt, one of the founders of eMacsoftware.com.

Kurt, along with Steve Organ and Tony Guerrero are having the time of their lives -- and hanging on to their business by their keyboards.

"Every day we're just amazed that we're staying alive and making it happen," said Organ.

Last year, Kurt, Organ and Guerrero decided to launch their own dot-com company, a business selling Macintosh software over the Internet.

"I just wanted to do my own thing," said Organ.

They built it themselves: three guys, two iMacs, one telephone and lots of nerve -- but no venture capital for these e-commerce entrepreneurs.

"If you have any idea what you're going to get yourself into you won't do it," Organ said.

They work on do-it-yourself workstations and the iMacs were on discount -- 50 bucks off if you bought tangerine. The capital for this venture: credit cards, their own money, a family loan and tips Kurt earns bartending on weekends.

And it's working -- barely.

"We're doing enough sales to pay the bills," said Kurt. "We can pay the rent," Kurt laughs. "Can't pay any salaries, but we can pay the rent!"

Their big break came when they dumped five grand for space at the MacWorld computer expo in San Francisco. The Mac faithful beat a path to their booth.

"It's been rough going. But we're getting there!" said Kurt. But he's not giving up the bartending job just yet.

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