Most people take pride in doing a job themselves instead of hiring someone to do it for them. Whether it is repainting your bedroom wall, landscaping a garden, or putting that shelf together, you should be empowered to take ownership for your property. BobVila.com, the comprehensive home improvement website that emerged from the popular TV shows This Old House and Bob Vila has worked its way up into an indispensable resource for home improvement aficionados and casual do it yourselfers alike.
Today we sit down with the CEO of Vila Media, Gretchen Grant, to discuss Bob Vila Products and how the company has harnessed technology to provide the knowledge to improve anything from your bathroom to your kitchen in a few clicks.
Tell us about the product or service.
BobVila.com is a home improvement website where we help homeowners and renters find inspiration and information to tackle do-it-yourself projects.
How is it different?
With the launch of Bob Vila Products, we’re aiming to create a “one-stop shop” where we give our readers the answers they’re looking for and supply them with everything they need for their repair or renovation.
What market are you attacking and how big is it?
Our primary market is American homeowners and renters, which is over 300 million people.
What is the business model?
Most of our revenue comes from ad sales and partnerships, and we invest a good amount of that back into website development.
What inspired the business?
Bob built his brand over the course of 30 years in television. The website started as a complement to the TV series, but it’s expanded exponentially since then.
How has Coworkrs helped foster the growth of your business?
Coworkrs has a very involved community, and their perspectives and feedback has helped us grow. We love meeting new members, and attending and hosting after-work networking events.
What are the milestones that you plan to achieve within six months?
We’d like to continue publishing high-quality content, expand our social following, and reach an even wider audience.
Why did you launch in New York?
For startups, setting up shop in New York City is a no-brainer. Logistics aside, we love being close to historical landmarks and great architectural design.
Where is your favorite summer destination in the city?
Visiting the Cloisters is the perfect way to spend a summer day. Once you leave the museum, you can wander around the grounds and check out the view.
