SharpNet Solutions, Inc
About the Company
SharpNet Solutions, founded by Chris Sharp, is a digital marketing agency that offers SEO, PPC, social media management, and website design services. The company focuses on providing high-quality, customer-centric solutions with a strong emphasis on client satisfaction and business results. SharpNet operates with a lean, conservative model, emphasizing organic growth without relying on outside investors or fast-growth tactics. Over the years, it has built a strong reputation for its ability to deliver superior results while maintaining affordability and integrity, which has contributed to its steady growth and sustainability.
SharpNet’s team of 38 employees works closely together to ensure the success of the company. The company’s culture prioritizes customer service, competence, and affordability. SharpNet operates on a philosophy that values both employee well-being and the satisfaction of clients. By focusing on strong customer relationships and continually refining its service offerings, SharpNet has attracted over 1,000 clients, including more than 200 agencies that resell their services.
Despite its success, SharpNet has avoided taking on investors, seeking an IPO, or expanding into a large corporation. SharpNet’s founder, Chris Sharp, remains committed to keeping the company small and personable, ensuring that both employees and clients experience the personal touch that has been integral to its growth and success.
Idea Behind Company
The idea for SharpNet Solutions came about when Chris Sharp, a former process engineer, realized the potential of the internet for business. After being inspired by his wife’s early attempt at building a family website, Sharp decided to pursue internet-based business. Sharp self-taught website building and also enrolled in software engineering courses to improve his skills. After creating his first website and experimenting with search engine optimization (SEO), Sharp saw the opportunity to offer internet marketing services, which led to the launch of SharpNet.
SharpNet initially focused on search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) marketing. These services were in high demand as businesses recognized the importance of search engine visibility. SharpNet’s success grew out of Sharp’s technical mindset, where he applied process engineering techniques to test and optimize SEO strategies, helping businesses increase their online presence. As SharpNet’s client base expanded, so did its service offerings, which eventually included social media management and website design.
The idea behind SharpNet was to create a service-oriented business that focused on delivering high-quality results while maintaining a strong work-life balance. Chris Sharp’s prior experiences in corporate environments influenced his decision to keep the company small, personable, and free from outside pressures like investors or IPOs. This approach has helped SharpNet build a loyal client base and maintain steady, organic growth.
Creating the Company
Starting SharpNet was a learning process for Chris Sharp. He initially operated the business as a sole proprietorship, handling all aspects of the company himself. SharpNet’s first major step was to secure its online business identity and set up basic infrastructure, such as the website, client management system, and software tools. SharpNet’s growth was modest in the beginning, with Sharp investing time in developing his skills in SEO and PPC marketing while working his day job at Hewlett Packard.
SharpNet’s product development was driven entirely by customer demand. After starting with SEO and PPC services, the company quickly adapted to emerging technologies, such as website design and social media management, based on client requests. The rapid evolution of the internet at the time, with new technologies and platforms launching regularly, meant that SharpNet had to be agile and responsive to these changes. Sharp’s background in process engineering helped him refine his approach to digital marketing, allowing the company to experiment and improve its services over time.
Chris Sharp’s approach to launching SharpNet was conservative. He kept operational costs low by doing most of the work himself and avoiding unnecessary expenses. This approach allowed SharpNet to grow steadily and organically without taking on debt or external investment. The company also focused heavily on customer service, offering exceptional support and ensuring that clients’ needs were met, which helped build strong, long-lasting relationships.
Launching the Business
Launching SharpNet involved the basic steps of registering the company and securing the necessary business identification, such as an EIN and a business bank account. Chris Sharp initially ran the business as a sole proprietorship before transitioning to an S-Corp after about 18 months. However, Sharp recommends starting a company as an LLC or S-Corp from the outset, depending on long-term business goals.
SharpNet’s launch was focused on keeping things simple. Chris Sharp built the website and client management tools himself, avoiding hiring external help in the early stages. This hands-on approach kept expenses low and allowed SharpNet to operate efficiently. SharpNet also relied heavily on its marketing efforts to drive growth, focusing on organic methods and reinvesting profits back into the business. The company’s first major marketing efforts involved using Google Ads and optimizing its own SEO to generate business.
In terms of customer acquisition, SharpNet’s approach was centered on providing value through strong customer support and delivering tangible results. Over time, SharpNet built a reputation for excellent service, which led to client referrals and steady business growth. The company’s focus on client satisfaction and a strong company culture helped it gain traction in a competitive digital marketing landscape.
Earnings
SharpNet Solutions has experienced steady financial growth since its inception, with current annual revenues surpassing $4 million. The company’s earnings have been fueled by its organic growth strategy, which emphasizes customer retention, referrals, and reinvestment in marketing. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, SharpNet’s growth accelerated as businesses increasingly turned to digital marketing to survive in the shifting business landscape.
SharpNet’s earnings are a result of its focus on providing high-quality digital marketing services, such as SEO, PPC, social media management, and website design. By maintaining a lean operational model and reinvesting profits into scaling marketing efforts, the company was able to grow its revenue consistently over time. Today, SharpNet serves over 1,000 websites and works with more than 200 agencies through its white-label marketing program.
SharpNet’s profitability remains strong, as the company continues to prioritize lean operations and wise investments. SharpNet’s growth has been consistent, averaging a 20% to 30% increase in revenue each year. Despite the challenges of the business world, such as the dot-com bust and the 2008 recession, SharpNet’s conservative approach to spending and its commitment to providing high-quality services have allowed it to remain profitable and sustain its growth trajectory.
