Spokane Valley man’s online business hot on high-tech gadget

Spokane Valley resident John Happy III saw the future in November 2002. He was watching Bill Gates unveil Microsoft Corp.’s Smart Personal Objects Technology initiative, dubbed SPOT for short.

The initiative introduced plans for a new line of digital wireless products that would display constantly updated information, including stock reports, headlines, weather and sports scores.

Tom Bowers
Staff writer

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/news-story.asp?date=012404&ID=s1477218&cat=section.business

After he heard the news, Happy decided to start snatching up Internet addresses, also known as URLs or domain names. A self-proclaimed "domain name investor," Happy thought he’d make a buck by selling SPOT-themed URLs once the movement caught on.

But when Microsoft teamed up with Fossil and Suunto to release the first line of watches, Happy saw bigger dollar signs on the sales horizon. Now his online Spot Store, http://www.spotstore.com, boasts one SPOT watch model in stock so far, and offers tech heads access to a variety of others.

"I thought, if the products work as they’re advertised," he said, "and Microsoft continues to spend its millions on development, this could become a good business for years to come."

The watches tap into MSN Direct, a new wireless service using what Happy describes as "a hardly used segment of the FM band."

Happy says the SPOT technology recognizes changes in location as the wearer travels from city to city and can provide local information. The watches can be used for instant messaging and can access Outlook’s appointment calendar on home computers.

Everything can be customized, from the face display to the information provided. If people live in Spokane Valley but want to receive the news and weather from 10 different cities, they just have to visit http://direct.msn.com and adjust their personal settings.

MSN Direct charges $10 per month or $60 per year for use of its service, Happy said.

The watches come in various styles. Suunto’s are sports-oriented, while Fossil watches are on the slim and dressy side.

Happy is an authorized dealer of Suunto SPOT watches. The only available Suunto model so far is the N3, which costs $299 at http://www.spotstore.com. Spot Store is also an online affiliate of Fossil SPOT watches, and shoppers can be directed to more options at the Fossil home page.

Happy has many other similar domain names under his control. Shoppers can turn to http://www.spotwatches.com to find the same products listed at Spot Store. At http://www.spotluck.com, people can enter a drawing for a free SPOT watch. Happy also owns spotsource, spotsmart, spotshop, spotexpress and the list goes on.

Those without Internet access can contact the Spot Store at 922-7746 (local), (866) 259-SPOT (toll free) or by fax at 928-4330.

For more information, call 928-9622.

•Do you have a tip about a new business that’s opening in the Spokane Valley? Is your own business expanding, moving, remodeling or branching out into new ventures? Call Tom Bowers at 927-2168 or E-mail or contact us by fax at 927-2175 or by writing to Business Notebook, Valley Voice, 13208 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane WA 99216.