Maria Lourdes C. Capilitan

SysAnal(O0A)

July 29, 2008

Case study

James Hong

Cofounder, Hot or Not

            James Hong and Jim Young launched the website Hot or Not. This site enables the user to submit their photos. I learned that they also have difficulties in solving problem regarding porn and naked pictures so they decided to have a motto “Fun, Clean, and Real”.  Also, I learned that their previous name was AM I HOT OR NOT. Lastly, the best thing that I learned is the moral value of spending money wisely, because he said if once you get to used of spending money it is hard to get unused to.

Their first idea is their client would call the web service, get a picture and have it randomly float across your screen during the day. After Jim was hired by Ph D and James graduated then, they decided to build it.

During launching their site they got $40,000 hits. They have fear in their survival. Their site was XMethod with a lot of problems, this problems cost them a lot. Their turning points of the first eight days are: first, they solve the problem which getting rid of bandwith by submitting URL’s of peoples pictures. Second, their survival mode.

They became public figure even though they don’t have money. Their moderators are being instructed to reject pictures that is not appropriate. Lately, they realized that they need to allow people to meet each other with out allowing porn pictures to be on site. They have this Meet System. Lately, their ad rates were dropping so they decided to charge $6 per month to be belong to Meet System

Hot or Not by that time is just a new concept that is why they instantly became popular. One of their funny moments was they was invited in a party in New York and a writer wrote about them.

James Hong advices for people who will start a startup is: First, a starter must have people that will understand the products. Second, the starter must hustle because you need to know your path. Third, do start ups while still young. Fourth, spend money wisely. Fifth, remember no easy entrepreneurship.