It’s hard to believe that thirteen years ago I quit my day job to start flyte.

It wasn’t called flyte back then…the original name was b1 communications. I designed web sites out of my apartment in Jamaica Plain (Boston, MA) and worked part time for another Internet startup.

Soon I met my wife Cybele through mutual friends in Maine and moved up here. I started to get busy, added people, and moved the business out of my house and into the Old Port (Portland, Maine.)

Along the way we added search engine optimization, email marketing, blogging and more recently social media to our offerings.

Over the past 13 years I’ve been blessed with great co-workers, a steady stream of clients looking to grow their business, and a patient, supportive, beautiful wife.

It hasn’t always been easy. I remember many times putting my paycheck into my desk drawer week after week so I could make payroll and keep the lights on. I remember considering unpaid time off for everyone (although thankfully it never came to pass.) I remember moments where I wasn’t such a great boss (although hopefully I’ve grown from them.)

I know a lot of businesses are struggling right now, and a lot of entrepreneurs are doubting themselves. I can’t promise that you’ll succeed with your goals, but I will tell you that persistence and hard work will get you there 99% of the time. Just remember that it’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

In the Jewish tradition 13 marks the point in your life when you become a man (or a woman, depending on how you started out.) I’m not sure what adulthood will look like for flyte, but I know it will be challenging, fun, and constantly changing.

The first 13 years have been everything I could have asked for and more. I can’t wait to see what the next 13 brings us.

Thanks for helping us get here.

Rich Brooks
Maine Web Design