Interesting story today in Vice.com about the o domain name Milk.com which is still owned by the original registrant Dan Bornstein who registered the domain way back in July 1994 when domain names were free.
In an interview with Mr. Bornstein he revealed he registered Milk.com just to use as a cool email address, never thought it would be worth a lot millions and he would probably sell it for ten million dollars but it “wouldn’t be an easy decision.”
Here are the other highlights from the Interview:
“The reason I got a domain at all was for email. Back in those days, everyone used their work email address as their personal address, and I was unsatisfied at work. I realized that I’d have to switch email addresses every time I switched jobs, so that’s why I got my own site. Once I had the domain I figured I’d might as well have a website on it.”
“What made you choose the domain “milk.com”?
It was a running joke between a friend and me. At the time, dan.com was available, daniel.com was available, and in retrospect those would’ve been valuable domains to have, but I didn’t want to be “dan@dan.com.” This friend of mine, for vaguely justifiable reasons, called me “milk boy.” So I was like “oh, milk.com is available.” It was a short word and kind of memorable, so that’s why I picked it.”
At the time you must have had no idea that the internet would grow like it did and dairy companies would end up gunning for the name, right?
No way. I certainly wasn’t like, “This thing is going to be worth millions!”
Could you ever see yourself selling it? Do you see yourself going to your grave with milk.com?
On the one hand, I’d love to say that I’ll have it forever and I’ll die with it. But on the other hand I do live in the real world and life is expensive. If someone came forward with a $10 million offer, and they were really serious, I’d probably go for it. I mean, that would be enough for me to retire on. It would make a significant impact on my lifestyle. It would represent a certain amount of personal freedom and it’d be hard to turn that down on principle.
You sound like you’d struggle with that though. It seems like it’s important enough to you that it’d be a difficult decision no matter what.
Oh yeah, it would not be an easy decision. Even at $10 million.
Trading in a vanity @milk.com email address for $10,000,0000 shouldn’t pose much of a dilemma. Especially since he could stipulate keeping it as part of the sale contract.
If this domain owner ever turns down 10 million bucks, then it won’t be for any sentimental attachment; it will be in the hope of getting a later higher offer.
At that level and at their ages turning down $10M is quite the selfless act because if it was to get more down the road you’d be dead already and your estate (heirs) would be the beneficiates. So don’t call it greed, call it selfless. lol
The guys certainly no entrepreneur.
Actually, I *am* an entrepreneur. Just not a domain speculator!
Does not sound like he’s serious or needs the money. On the other hand, maybe this interview was his way of getting the attention of buyers/offers.
Who else is sick to their stomach right now, knowing they missed out on free .com regs on the 90’s? 🙂
I’m 100% serious about liking the domain and about not being particularly interested in selling it. FWIW, Luke (the author of the article) contacted me out of the blue for the piece. My only agenda is getting a bit of recognition as the pioneer-of-sorts that I’ve been.
I’ve consistently found it amusing how different my world view is from those embedded in the domain speculation business.
Hey Dan, thanks for clearing that up. Not every “domain speculator” has the same view tho. For some people, trading names is their bread and butter…others have online business and etc etc.
You get mad recognition from having a story featuring you, on The Domains 🙂 be blessed.
Also, it’s always fun to see oneself talked about in the third person, as if one is not also on the internet.