Ambush Interview #66 Spw Guru (Karups)

Hi All,
I would also like to add that when the 3rd party processor that we used to use went under(and its not DMR) and held all of our money we still paid affiliates out of our pockets. We then switched 3rd party processors to CCBILL(until we could get our own merchant account) and I want to clearly state that I think CCBILL is the best 3rd party processor in the business and always have felt that way. We then got the merchant account and still till this day use CCBILL as our secondary processor. Merchant accounts are not for everyone and they do incur lots of hidden risks and bullshit, etc...However, its still the best option for us.


Lou

I've always said ccbill rocks

29.How did Erica Rode Cambell almost end your marriage?

Can I plead the 5th on this one? Jeff who only some of you know as he is not at the shows as often as Lou and myself was seeing Erica during one of the vegas shows. Those of you that know Jeff know he has many passions but on the top of the list is cars and poker. Coming out of the venetian he spots a new model lambo and walks away from Erica drooling all of the car while she stands there all dolled up for a night out. After dinner he wants to hit the poker table so she was bored and we start chatting. We hit it off she really is a nice girl and can be very funny. Jeff decides to call his trip short and the next night her and I decide to get a bite to eat. We develop a friendly relationship and decide to keep in contact. Some time goes by and we talk via email and phone from time to time and one day my wife grabs my phone instead of her by ?accident?. While she is out with a bunch of friends Erica calls and my wife picks up. Instead of saying something like wrong number or I am a friend of Charlie is he around she says ?oh Shit its his wife? laughs to her friend and hangs up. This lead to my wife hacking my email account and reading some emails between Erica and myself that were a bit inappropriate in her mind. She moved out for about 3 months to live back in NY. Lucky for me she decided to forgive me and come back to work things out. Now we have a child together and are very happy with our relationship that is all that much stronger for having made it past this hurdle.

30 If you couldn't work for Karups - which other companies would you want to work for in this business. discuss in detail why.

I can truly say before you asked this I never even considered it. Lou and Jeff are more then just owners here they are like brothers to me. I have never met 2 people that were more warm or welcoming. They made a move away from all my friends and family something I could actually handle by including me in their family here.

If I had to work somewhere else it would need to be in a place were I still had opportunity to learn. I am 28 and have experienced a lot but in order to make it to a multi millionaire I need a lot more experience and opportunities. Few places in the adult industry I think would offer me the opportunity to do what I do now which makes the choices slim pickings. Nat net would be a top choice for sure. As I described earlier Tony M is someone I look up to and his negotiating skills as well as his ability to asses the worth of companies before he acquires them is second to none and I would like to learn more about that. With my financial background and experience in handling our merchant account getting back into the finance side of things with somebody like CCBill or Epic would not be a bad move either. However my dream was always to write and produce porn movies and picture series. If I had to leave Karups chances are now with the financial stability I have going out on my own to start that is the most likely choice.

31.Why does it seem to your friends that you've had every fucking job in the world?
Cause I have. Money can be made everywhere if you look at the supply and demand. Depending on the climate of the market depends on which opportunity will net you the most. You have to try them all over time or in different rotations to know where your best assets are. I believe in working and working hard. My dad raised a family of 4 on 15k a year in NY suburbs to this day I have no idea how. He worked hard every day of his life and made us work hard if we wanted something. These principles are so simple to me and I am glad it is so hard for the majority of Americans to understand it other wise I would have to work even harder.

late night bump.

great answers so far charles!

We are two wild and crazy guys!!!

Great Interview. Sorry I am so late in catching up on this.

Matt

Charles is an awesome guy. I have finally finished reading all the posts and I am always amazed how much learn, even about great industry friends like Charlie.

You Rock Chuck!! Another great Ambush Interview Sleazy!

Matt

32.How the fuck can someone who controlls such a large, organized site be such a fucking unorganized messy pig?
LOL its like in the usual suspects, it all makes sense if you pull your self back from it. There is no question I am a bit of a disgusting pig. When my head is down and I start wrapping myself around a problem I won't leave my desk. So coffee cups, McDonald's cups, McDonald's wrappers, and cups filled with cigarette buts tend to gather. I guess I should take the time to clean it up but the fact is in my office looks like this because we control such a large, organized site and thats what I focus on.

33.Do you feel threatened by Mack being in the office now?
Not at all for 2 reasons.

1.He has been a huge asset to us already and he has barely had a chance to spread his wings. Mack is a great guy who was brought on to help us achieve our goal of launching a new affiliate program to replace our old more outdated system. He has done wonders already on getting our free sites up to par and increasing traffic to our current programs.
2.The second reason though is more why I am not worried. Dave is to smart to want my job. I may not be a doctor but sometime I feel like one. If there is ever an issue that needs to be resolved it goes through me. So when a 2 am call comes in I get to handle it. My job is to make it so Lou and Jeff don't have to worry about the business and can focus on what they do best ideas and content. .

34.How come you've had like 50+ careers and have finally stayed with Karups for 4+ years now?
The short answer is the people. I have already raved about what it is like to work her and the answers to your questions earlier all point to this. Lou and Jeff make it so I can't leave. They pay me well treat me with respect, let me bring my ideas to the table and let me make the day to day decisions that are designed to achieve the long term goals they have set for me. I have worke for myself and I have worked for others. Never have I been happier then now here at Karups.

I love you, baby... You are a class act!!! Anytime you need more therapy, just let us know. Btw, I just looked up your invoice and it hasn't been paid yet.

great job!

awesome interview

Excellent interview Charlie. I learned a couple of things I didn't know about you, and I thought I knew you pretty well.

There's nothing better than having a great customer who is also a very good friend. One of my favorite shows was the Phoenix show where Charlie and I rented a couple of Harleys and rode up in the mountains. Awesome time that was (although Tony was a nervous wreck. He was worried that I would take one of our best customers out on the road and get him killed )

Charlie is a class act and I'm proud to call him a friend

-- Bill

The whole NATNET family is amazing and we are so glad we got the chance to host with you guys and get to know your crew on a personal level.



Louis

Awesome interview, nice pics too.