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Web entrepreneur, Richard Gianforte, following father’s footsteps

The 13-year-old is the founder of a new Web-based business called http://www.neverforgetadate.com With the help of his dad, Greg Gianforte, founder and CEO of RightNow Technologies, Richard created the site that offers a free service for forgetful folks.

By KAYLEY MENDENHALL Chronicle Staff Writer

"I was just looking for a company to start," Richard said, "Me and my dad started looking around for an idea."

They realized that many people have trouble remembering birthdays, anniversaries and holidays including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. So they created a site where people can sign up and receive free e-mail reminders.

Not only can customers sign up to remind themselves of important dates, but Richard said they can send e-mail messages reminding others when their own birthdays are coming up. Susan Gianforte, Richard’s mom, said Greg is so bad at remembering his parent’s birthdays that Richard’s grandfather was one of the first customers to sign up for the service.

He rigged it so Greg will get an e-mail reminder of his birthday at least a few weeks in advance.

"How bad do you feel when you forget your parent’s birthday?" Susan Gianforte asked, explaining why she thinks the service is a good idea.

Complete with a few free graphics, the Web site is colorful and easy to use. Richard said he already has 113 customers and is hoping to eventually sell advertising to flower shops and gift stores in order to keep the service free. On average most people need reminders for five or six dates, but Richard said some sign up for as many as 16.

"More people will sign up if it’s free," he said. "I already spend a half-hour each day just answering e-mails."

The bright-eyed middle schooler said he’s received some funny stories from his forgetful customers as he proudly hands out business cards he bought off a different Web business.

When Richard gets home from school at the Petra Academy, Susan Gianforte said the first thing he does is check the site to see how many new customers signed up during the day.

The site has been running for about a month and in the beginning, Greg was doing most of the work while Richard watched and learned. A transition has taken place now and Richard is doing the hands-on maintenance of the site, while his dad coaches him on the technical aspects of computer programming.

"It’s a really good outlet for Greg working with Richie," Susan Gianforte said. "He’s such an idea person."

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2003/02/11/news/backroads+gianfortebzbigs.txt

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