Monster mash: monster.com's founder moves on to his next big startup

Entrepreneur,  Nov, 2005  by Amanda C. Kooser

Tags: Monster

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TOP JOB-SEARCH site Monster.com's founder Jeff Taylor is looking to stake out some new internet territory with startup EONS (www. eons.com), a business geared toward the over-50 consumer. We caught up with Taylor during his brief semi-vacation while switching roles between companies to find out what it's like to live the startup life again.

ENTREPRENEUR: AFTER OVER 10 YEARS WITH MONSTER.COM, DO YOU STILL CONSIDER YOURSELF AN ENTREPRENEUR?

TAYLOR: I'm not sure you stop being an entrepreneur, especially in a company that has had the meteoric growth Monster experienced over the last 10 years. You continue to learn and do things that might be considered unexpected by normal business standards. I feel more entrepreneurial now than I ever have in my life.

IS THIS A GOOD TIME TO START AN INTERNET COMPANY?

TAYLOR: It's kind of like wave two, which is beginning to form on the other side of a pretty difficult downturn. I'm [building] a big brand in a space that doesn't really have any brands. The internet is moving to a wave where it's going to be much more inclusive for people who have been technology-phobic and that would classically be one of the biggest user groups, the over-50 consumer.

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE STARTUP CHALLENGES?

TAYLOR: Yes. I have a combination of a big pit in my stomach and absolute euphoria at the same time. I find myself waking up like a bolt at 4 in the morning with ideas that need to be written down.

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM MONSTER.COM THAT YOU WILL APPLY TO EONS?

TAYLOR: It's all about great people. I love building a culture where people love their jobs. I will absolutely try to replicate that as I go forward with the new company.

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