Above Business Solutions

11Apr10

By Se7en Wirsing

CEO Neo7899 Collins wasn’t impressed with Second Life® as a social networking venue, but later, armed with a business plan, he re-entered SL with a vision. The self-described “insider” has worked for many top companies in SL, Red Door and Moolto.com to name a couple. Now, he is the CEO of his own company, Above Business Solutions.

His French (Canadian) “accent” barely noticeable, Mr. Collins outlined his business credentials chronologically, as systematically as he appears to approach his actual business. He is well-prepared for success in business, with a Master’s in sociology, a certificate in marketing and public relations and 10 years of real life experience in the field.

There.com was his first virtual world experience and he worked in-world at a university. He found There.com appealed to a different market, being a 13-years-old and up social networking site. SL is more business oriented, due to the adult market.

In SL, Collins first worked at Ewing Fashion Agency as marketing director. “The money was low,” he stated, but he wanted to learn about how to work in SL. He began to work in sales and marketing at ICON lifestyle magazine in December 2008, learning how a magazine is put together. In March 2009, he joined Metaverse TV and took it upon himself to market it. He still works with them currently. It has expanded to a full sim with wonderful architecture. The bi-weekly news show, which covers events in SL, has become a daily show. He has watched as the Frolic Mills show grew into highest rated show in SL.

Waiting only to establish his name in SL, he started his business solutions firm in June 2009.

While others may or may not have real life experience, his company is different because Collins and his associates have experience. He offers not only advertising, but focuses on working a strategy for up to two weeks for each client. Because Above Business Solutions isn’t his main source of income, he offers solutions at an affordable rate, using the profits to pay his tier and SL expenses and give to SL charities. Other companies charge real life rates because it’s their real life employment. Collins’ primary goal isn’t making real money; it’s research and development of SL market and economy in an effort to assist SL businesses. He beats everyone else in price, due to this philosophy.

The only time Collins earns “real” money is when he works in sim development, taking an empty sim and building it from scratch for a company.

He began to work with Best of Second Life (BOSL), a top commercial company in SL, in September 2009. He worked in sales for Frolic Mills and was able to see the day to day operations. Mills made him manager of Casablanca Hotel, which includes stores in the lower level, suites for rent and hosts events. “They have many projects and it’s a good company to work for,” Collins stated. BOSL also owns Patch Thibaud Auditorium, a top theater.

One of his clients, BeReal (fashions), owned by Ricko Dasgostino, is one of the top classifieds. He mentioned a few of his other clients, his passion for his work evident. He handles marketing for Aleida Rhode Designs, a top designer. He has worked on a wedding sim, Vesta Amor, and Brightfield Virtual with Amethyst Jetaime. He subcontracts about 75% of his building projects to Brightfield Virtual as they specialize in building sims.

His office at ZI Ocean View is small, but he likes it. He doesn’t think it’s necessary to have a large office since he spends so little time there. As for publishing and graphic design, he has about 10 staff members. Wanting to offer the client the best of everything, he chooses the designer that is right for the job, whether that designer is in-house or a contractor. “Not every graphic designer would be right for every job,” he explained.

When asked how he has time for his varied interests, he revealed his philosophy regarding SL. You won’t see him dancing in SL or meditating. SL is a business venue and a complement to his real lifestyle. He does his playing in real life.

Find out more about Above Business Solutions at abovebusinesssolutions.com. IM Neo7899 Collins in-world for information on his free business consultation.

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