David Rusenko of Weebly

By scott pike on January 27, 2018

Company Description

Weebly is a web hosting service that provides tools and storage for users to create and maintain their own websites. The service allows users to track analytics and can integrate with online payment systems like PayPal to provide ecommerce capability for users’ sites. The attraction to a service like Weebly has always been its simplicity. Drag-and-drop functionality, and the implementation of widgets as part of it design core, allow users to quickly and easily create and manage format and content. Aggregate storage for sites is unlimited, and the service is free, with the option to pay for upgrades. Weebly currently boasts over 30 million users.

Biography

  • Founder and CEO of Weebly since February, 2006
    • Co-founders for Weebly are Chris Fanini (also current CTO), and Dan Veltri (also current CPO)
  • Author for Packt Publishing (2005)
  • Penn State graduate in Information Sciences and Technology and Management Information Systems (2007)
  • Born in Paris and grew up in Morocco

Research into Rusenko turned up this 2016 article from Fox News in which he was asked questions such as what inspired him and what was the best advice he ever received regarding growing his company. From Richard Branson, Rusenko learned that trust in the people you work with is critical. In order to realize the potential of Weebly, Rusenko learned to hire the best people possible for the job, and trust that they would do their best work possible. I found this fitting with the focus of this week.

Crunchbase.com has a listing of the current team members for Weebly. Through this site you can track the make-up and progress of countless companies and ventures.

 

Personal Reflection:

While researching for this activity, I initially found it difficult to get up-to-date information on companies and founders. I came across Crunchbase and almost instantly found the majority of information I needed. For any assignment similar to the Founders Parade – where information on ventures and entrepreneurs are needed – I would definitely consult Crunchbase again.

Rating
Average: 4.7/5 Stars
 
 
 
 
 
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1 Apr Posted on David Rusenko of Weebly

Using Weebly quite a bit throughout this program, I feel Mr. Rusenko has made webpage creation easier and better. I think back to when I began learning HTML and how difficult it was. I only wished that there could be an easier way in which I could create a site by simply dragging-and-dropping and quickly making edits. I didn't need 100% customization, but something where if I could start with a template and work around with it, it could become mine. As a role model of entrepreneurs, I feel is it a great example of someone who has an idea and makes it work. It certainly isn't lost that Mr. Rusenko's project is now used by 30 million people as most don't want to take the time to learn coding or pay someone to build a website from scratch. Comparing Weebly to Wordpress, based on simplicity and time, I'd take Weebly any day. The business model used is fantastic because when creating sites I enjoy the basic features but every now and then get hit with a "premium" message. If I wasn't so cheap and needed a site for something more than just this program, I'd pay the extra costs.

1 Apr
0 Thumbs Up!
Stephen Tod @stodnlss

Using Weebly quite a bit throughout this program, I feel Mr. Rusenko has made webpage creation easier and better. I think back to when I began learning HTML and how difficult it was. I only wished that there could be an easier way in which I could create a site by simply dragging-and-dropping and quickly making edits. I didn't need 100% customization, but something where if I could start with a template and work around with it, it could become mine. As a role model of entrepreneurs, I feel is it a great example of someone who has an idea and makes it work. It certainly isn't lost that Mr. Rusenko's project is now used by 30 million people as most don't want to take the time to learn coding or pay someone to build a website from scratch. Comparing Weebly to Wordpress, based on simplicity and time, I'd take Weebly any day. The business model used is fantastic because when creating sites I enjoy the basic features but every now and then get hit with a "premium" message. If I wasn't so cheap and needed a site for something more than just this program, I'd pay the extra costs.

28 Jan Posted on David Rusenko of Weebly

Being familiar with Weebly, I like what David Rusenko has accomplished and find the product easy to use. As an inspiration to others, I am not sure. He started Weebly before graduation, he has 30 million users. However, I am unsure if there has been significant growth at Weebly for all years, or in recent years. I am also unsure of the amount of revenue growth seen as well. Based on my experience, it appears Weebly is in great hands, as I enjoy using it so much. Based on the information here, it is interesting, but maybe not inspirational (though David likely is inspirational). Adopting Richard Branson's philosophy on hiring seems to have been a smart move.

28 Jan
0 Thumbs Up!
Robert Remmerswaal @rremmers

Being familiar with Weebly, I like what David Rusenko has accomplished and find the product easy to use. As an inspiration to others, I am not sure. He started Weebly before graduation, he has 30 million users. However, I am unsure if there has been significant growth at Weebly for all years, or in recent years. I am also unsure of the amount of revenue growth seen as well. Based on my experience, it appears Weebly is in great hands, as I enjoy using it so much. Based on the information here, it is interesting, but maybe not inspirational (though David likely is inspirational). Adopting Richard Branson's philosophy on hiring seems to have been a smart move.

28 Jan Posted on David Rusenko of Weebly

I think that David Rusenko is a strong role model for future entrepreneurs because he has the technical background and is passionate and dedicated to what he does. It's interesting to see that he is both the founder and the CEO, as our readings this week highlight that great entrepreneurs are seldom great CEEos because a personal exit strategy should always be in mind. I like his focus on sustainable work schedules and dedication to a people focused team. Surrounding yourself with good people, and trusting that they will do a good job will promote longevity for his company.

28 Jan
0 Thumbs Up!
Kat @katcos

I think that David Rusenko is a strong role model for future entrepreneurs because he has the technical background and is passionate and dedicated to what he does. It's interesting to see that he is both the founder and the CEO, as our readings this week highlight that great entrepreneurs are seldom great CEEos because a personal exit strategy should always be in mind. I like his focus on sustainable work schedules and dedication to a people focused team. Surrounding yourself with good people, and trusting that they will do a good job will promote longevity for his company.

28 Jan Posted on David Rusenko of Weebly

I enjoyed reading the Fox News 2016 article interviewing David Rusenko. This article helped to highlight this entrepreneur's passion and dedication to his area of work. Even as a youth he was designing, creating, and innovating usable and relevant ventures, providing a solid foundation for his present role as Weebly's founder and CEO. His focus on a sustainable work schedule and dedication to a people focused team will promote longevity for his company and future pursuits.

28 Jan
0 Thumbs Up!
jessholder @jrholder

I enjoyed reading the Fox News 2016 article interviewing David Rusenko. This article helped to highlight this entrepreneur's passion and dedication to his area of work. Even as a youth he was designing, creating, and innovating usable and relevant ventures, providing a solid foundation for his present role as Weebly's founder and CEO. His focus on a sustainable work schedule and dedication to a people focused team will promote longevity for his company and future pursuits.

27 Jan Posted on David Rusenko of Weebly

Hey Scott, I feel your pain on finding out information about some of these guys. As I look at what you have shared about David Rusenko I think he qualifies as a good example for future entrepreneurs. He has the technical background, and business savvy that has led to the success of Weebly. He understands one of the most important things that all good entrepreneurs do, surround yourself with good people and let them do their work. Brian

27 Jan
0 Thumbs Up!
Brian Haas @bhaas

Hey Scott, I feel your pain on finding out information about some of these guys. As I look at what you have shared about David Rusenko I think he qualifies as a good example for future entrepreneurs. He has the technical background, and business savvy that has led to the success of Weebly. He understands one of the most important things that all good entrepreneurs do, surround yourself with good people and let them do their work. Brian

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