8 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Ae Wednesday, January 20, 1999 Sunset Marine (continued from page 1) Arnone worked 20 hours a day, for months, developing the Harveys Lake Sunset Marine (HLSM) web site. Parts catalogs were scanned in, labeled, and linked to order forms. Pictures of wet suits and boating accessories were added. Programmers created a ‘complex program that built linked web pages that allowed customers to quickly order needed fuel pumps and Sea-Doo sandals. Arnone relishes having a com- pany based in Harveys Lake. “Ev- eryone thinks we're hicks,” he says, with a laugh. The location has been key to his success. “There's a lot of good reasons to be here,” says Arnone. He notes that transportation is one of this area’s strengths. Northeastern Pennsylvania lies within five hours of the entire Northeast corridor, from Washington to Boston. Arnone also believes that pro- spective employees here have a strong work ethic and are driven hy personal success. Local young people are educated and don't want to leave the area, he says. Arnone admits difficulty in find- ing. computer-educated people, but he willingly trains eager ap- plicants. Running the Internet business has added seven em- ployees so far, with many more expected. In addition, real estate in the Back Mountain is inexpensive in comparison with other areas on the East Coast. These factors, in combination with Arnone’s skills and dedica- tion, have made the future of HLSM.com bright. Most new Internet businesses have yet to make a profit, and Arnone’s is no exception. “What is comes down to is market share,” says Arnone. HLSM offers more than 400,000 parts for sale, and hundreds of accessories for waterskiing, snowmobiling, all- terrain vehicles, and sporting pursuits. Arnone’s next target is the esti- mated 8,000 motorcycle repair shops nationwide that don't have direct relationships with manu- facturers. He figures he can sup- ply them with parts more quickly and cheaply than their present access sites. A familiar Internet example is Amazon.com. Although Amazon MAC The largest recreations] Pecks and Accessories catalog in the worid. RR 3 Box 3019 & Harveys Lake, PA 18618 800-996-9435 If you eh e a dealer ID lick here Shipping ~ Hours of Operation Lovet xt n HLM To get a dealer ID, click here LOOKING FOR SCROLL DOWN AND DOUBLE CLICK THE ICONS BELOW i If you know your part numbers, click here. | MICROFICHE PARTS BARGAIN BASEMENT BLOWOUT! Savings Like These — NTA | Volvo Penta $20. 00 minimum order Your Internet Parts Superstore 1s finally hierelll Everything for your recreational needs including engine parts, boating needs, skis, equipment and accessories all at a sells more and more books online, the company has yet to make a profit. Right now, Harveys Lake Sunset Marine is the only site selling similar parts and accesso- ries, and profitability is expected within a year or two. Like Ama- zon, HLSM sells products at a discount from retail prices. The business is growing expo- nentially. In 1998, during the sec- ond week of January, HLSM sold $500, while this year HLSM has already sold $15,000. On Janu- ary 11, 1998, the site had 478 contacts, or “hits.” On January 11,1999, that number was 1,050. Harveys Lake Sunset Marine re- ceives 25-30 orders per day. Forty PRICES LOW, LOW POST PHOTO/RON BARTIZEK Steve Novakovich worked at one of the PC's at Harveys Lake Sunset Marine. A budding international Internet business has the owner planning for a major expansion as word of the website gets out. SHA VERTOWN O STORE ONLY! percent of orders come in over the Internet, and the remaining 60 percent come from people who saw the web site and then phoned in their order. “We're doing last year’s peak season business right now,” said Steve Novakovich as he worked at one of many terminals. International sales represent 10 percent of Arnone’s business and are growing. He recently sold $80,000 in parts to a South Afri- can, who wired the funds first to ensure delivery. A customer called from the Ukraine Saturday, and Novakovich said HLSM regularly receives orders from Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The com- pany deals at both the wholesale and retail levels. The HLSM web site offers many features that contribute to its success. Web pages are built on the fly, which makes the site run fast. Users reach information on what they want within four pages; as a result, they are quickly re- warded with their goal. The site automatically tracks superseded parts; that is, when a part re- ceives a new part number, the web site lets shoppers know. “My system is designed to make people come back,” says Arnone. “This is a functional site,” says Novakovich, which results in most customers receiving their order in 7-10 days, even overseas. Arnone advertises in national magazines, on the net, and de- signed the site to be easily found with search engines. Within two to five years, HLSM hopes to be a multimillion dollar company. To reach that goal, Arnone is recruiting venture capi- tal investors. “We are looking to raise $3 million,” says Arnone. The boating supply market is a $5 billion market, and Sunset Ma- rine is planning to get $50 million of it. Arnone is the father of three children: John, 18; Nicholas, 17; and Sarah, 10. His sons have already become involved in the business. They scanned and in- putted catalogs and parts infor- mation and work in the marina. They also help in shipping and receiving. “It has taught them re- sponsibility,” says Arnone. To reach Harveys Lake Sunset Marine, point your browser to HLSM.com:. DAY SALE Fresh Ground Round Whole or Half Boneless 3 Lbs. or More Rib Eye (Delmonico Steak) Cut FREE! Whole Boneless Pork Loin Whole Bottom Round (5-8 Lb. Average) (12-14 Lb. Average) Ey Cut FREE! Cut FREE! iE Whole Beef Butt Tenderloin (6-8 Lb. Average) Cut FREE! Sheet Spare Ribs Whole Eye of the Round (3 Lbs. or More) (6 Lb. Average) 2. = LL hii vee Lb. > Great Deals! Frozen Turkey Breasts 2 Convenient Locations! Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks Peeled & Deveined Cooked Shrimp Savings Pack 41-50 Count Back Mountain Shopping Center 550 Washington Avenue, Larksville Monday thru Saturday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. * Sunday 8 a.m. -9 p.m. e
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