Secret Academy Episode - Jesse LakesIn 2009, Jesse Lakes launched a series of websites that used iTunes and Amazon affiliate programs, but he and his partner soon noticed that there was a problem monetizing geo-fragmented audiences due to the country-specific affiliate programs. Because the affiliate sites weren't optimized to be used in various other countries, there was a loss of potential sales that was occurring. After coming up with a solution to this problem, Jesse wrote a book about the Apple iTunes affiliate program entitled 'Mastering the iTunes Affiliate Program' and was slapped with a cease and desist letter; however, after Apple exec's reviewed his book, they ended up offering him a job to manage their affiliate program. He left Apple a few years later to pursue his own geo-targeting business, thus Geniuslink (formerly Georiot) was born and has served over 1 billion clicks.
- What is geotargeting and how his company is improving an existing solution
- What Geniuslink can specifically target
- How writing a book about Apple's affiliate program led to a job there
- Why he left Apple even after a great salary
- The biggest setback after starting Geniuslink
- Biggest personal challenge of starting/running his own business
- How it started as a "family business" and expanded
- Pros and cons of working with family members
- How persistence can be helpful for entrepreneurs
