eHobbies.com Makes Inter@ctive Week's List of Top 10 Companies to Work For; eHobbies Becomes Only Tech Coast Company to Make List

Business Wire, April 10, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2000

eHobbies.com(SM), the ultimate online destination for hobbyists, has been chosen as one of the "Top 10 Companies to Work For," according to Inter@ctive Week. The magazine conducted its most extensive review to date with 5,000 responses to a survey of hundreds of companies conducted by Advantage Business Research to determine the top 10 list.

eHobbies received especially high marks for "ability to get involved in decision making," "management/employee relations," "company/customer relations" and "compensation package," among other categories.

Among eHobbies' numerous noteworthy perks are a new concierge service to help employees accomplish personal tasks while at work; a company-subsidized gym membership; catered lunches daily; Friday parties; group outings ranging from river rafting to stock car racing and ongoing training courses.

"My business partner, Brent Cohen, and I have tried to create the kind of culture that we've always wanted to work in," said Brad Sobel, CEO/co-founder, eHobbies.com. "That's the dream when starting your own company -- to make it a place where everyone enjoys coming to work everyday. It's a great feeling to be recognized for this so early in eHobbies' history."

Employee satisfaction was such a top priority when starting the company, the head of human resources (HR) was one of the first 10 hires. eHobbies' HR efforts have proven quite successful with retaining the best people. The company enjoys a 91 percent retention rate, 11 percent below the industry average. eHobbies currently employees 110 people.

"It's an extremely tight job market out there and we're all dedicated to finding and keeping the very best people in the industry," said Bill Scott, VP, HR and administration. "My team, as well as everyone in the company, is constantly striving to ensure people feel valued and enjoy their experience here. Of course, it helps our bottom line to retain employees but it's also a quality of life issue. For anyone working in the Internet space, work can become their life to a certain degree -- we want to help employees maintain balance."

Founded in March 1999 by two hobbyists -- Brad Sobel, a train and rocketry buff, and Brent Cohen, an avid plastic modeler and rocketeer -- eHobbies is creating a new world for hobbyists at www.eHobbies.com, AOL Keyword: eHobbies. The company is dedicated to providing a unique experience for millions of hobbyists in a "vertical destination" with hobby-specific communities, compelling content, one-stop shopping including auctions, all while also introducing the joy of hobbies to a new generation. eHobbies features six key categories: model trains; radio control cars, airplanes, boats and helicopters; diecast collectibles; plastic, wood and paper models; rocketry plus tools and supplies.

The company was chosen as one of the top 100 Web sites in 1999 by PC Magazine and was selected as one of the Feedback 50(TM), a register of the best online companies for customer service in 1999. eHobbies is the first consumer investment from eCompanies Venture Group, formed in June 1999 by Sky Dayton, founder and chairman of EarthLink, and Jake Winebaum, former chairman of Buena Vista Internet Group. eHobbies has headquarters in Santa Monica, California.