CSUH Alumnus Making Dot-Com Business Work

Every year hundreds of college graduates descend on the job market, unaware of where to start the hunt for that $40,000 a year job that is promised as a reward for years of muddling through college.

Tom Wilson, a Cal-State Hayward alumnus, has created his own Web business to tap the ever expanding pool of job seekers, and he believes his services can benefit graduates.

Wilson hit on the concept for his business while working for Sontirol Security Systems after graduating from CSUH in the late 80's. As was required by his job, he would make contact with potential Sonitrol customers, and in the process realized that not only was he making potential sales for the company but also gathering information, and more importantly - in the business world at least - contacts. Through these contacts he realized there was a gap in the sales market for information, better known as sales leads.

"I noticed I was discovering information not only concerning companies that needed security systems, but also prospects that were in the market for commercial real estate, interior design and other types of services," said Wilson. "I conducted a test market study on the information that I received, and people subscribed.

"Thus, TMW Diversified was established."

With TMW Diversified in business, Wilson's next move was to find his own office.

"In the beginning, there was no office and clients would let me use their space," said Wilson. "I would use their phones and copiers, hand write specific forms then mail them off from the post office."

The late '90s brought the onslaught of the computer age, and Tom Wilson knew it was a medium he could use.

By August 1997 TMW Diversified was computerized. As TMW's clients caught onto email and faster service it could provide them, Wilson decided it was time to create his Web site. In March of 1999 TMW Diversified became TMWCommerce.com and Wilson's company joined the Internet era.

"I don't consider myself a dot-comer," said Wilson. "TMWCommerce.com is a 'niche market' Web site that provides primarily hot sales leads to sales and marketing professionals."

Subscribers to TMWCommerce.com receive sales leads that included company names, titles and contact names. The Web site also features a sales diary, networking advice, referral networking and jobs and career information.

"TMW Commerce.com is real great about digging up leads," said Pearl Regis, customer and principal of Regis Communications. "In the near future we will be implementing a thorough telemarketing program, as suggested."

Wilson encourages visitors to use the information gathered to make contacts and establish relationships. He also encourages students to utilize the service to find "hidden" job opportunities.

TMWCommerce.com is open to anyone who wants to utilize the sales diary or networking advice, but if the desired result you crave is the sales leads section, the subscription price is $195 a month.