From MarketWatch to Vator.tv

Vator.tv began as a little garage project that I started last year to help me vet startups' pitches and to give exposure to those I'd invariably overlook as a columnist.  It was always understood that if and when the company showed some traction (potential conflicts would therefore invariably arise), I would have to make the choice to stay at MarketWatch and cut ties with Vator.tv or run my venture. The time came. MarketWatch asked me if I wanted to stay full-time or if I wanted to run Vator.tv. On Friday, I decided to run Vator.tv full-time. With much regret, I'm leaving MarketWatch, my employer for eight years, as a full-time columnist and correspondent. I do hope to maintain ties.

I'm going to try my hand as an entrepreneur. I think I'm making the right decision. If I didn't make this decision, I would always regret not trying.  Go to MarketWatch to read the rest of the column.

Note about vator.tv:  It just launched Jan. 1, so the current site is really alpha rather than beta. The new and more improved site launches this month.

Comments

[Henrik Andersson]

Good luck with vator.tv. I have much enjoyed your columns at MarketWatch.

[In Awe]

Is there a free online archive where one can read all your coverage reports while at MarketWatch?

[TheMuse]

Congratualations to Bambi on her new venture and shame to the reporters at C/net and the WSJ for totally botching the story. I guess in the end, it's great free publicity, and I can only imagine how many hits her website has received this weekend because of it.

Did Bambi tell her boss at Marketwatch that she was working on Vator.tv on the side...yes

Did her boss approve of it...yes

End of story

Did she do anything ethically challenged while she was at Marketwatch? Of course not! Vator.tv has been in beta for only a few months and it's not generating revenue, so for them to accuse her of profiting somehow from it is simply ill informed (and shows how little research they did). The fact that she stayed at Marketwatch as long as she has (8 years) and didn't leave as soon as the site was up shows she was dedicated to her company, and everything she was doing was disclosed to them. Marketwatch even posted a story supporting Bambi yesterday.

Maybe the only mistake she made was to not password protect the site while it was in beta, but then again, if she did that, how could they test whether posters could get their videos up to make sure it all worked?

Anyway, good luck with the new project Bambi, and I just hope all your readers will stop by Vator.tv when it officially launches to show their support.

[Tom Anderson]

I will sorely miss your input on the MarketWatch website. Your beauty was always equaled by the quality of your journalism. It takes a great deal of courage to walk away from the position you've had at MarketWatch and I want to wish you the very best of luck with vator.tv

[Jayson Blair]

Bambi, I feel your pain...

[David Marashlian]

I'm an avid reader of MarketWatch.com and I came across your article
today. I just wanted to send you a quick e-mail and wish you the best of
luck and congratulate you on this big step you're taking. You said it
best at the end of your article...if you didn't try it, you would regret
it. Just run with it full force and take no prisoners. If you love what
you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life. Again, I wish you
the best and congratulations.

[Chris Nolan]

When I left the San Jose Mercury News they said the same mean things about me. Good luck!

[Henry Straw]

Good luck on your new venture Bambi! I enjoyed reading your insights,
but will also miss your pretty face that brightened up the page...

[S Jonathan]

I think its a good move and a brave one at that. Good luck with your
venture! Your column on MarketWatch will be
sorely missed!

[aldamiz]

Congrats Bambi, I am sure you wont regret this decission.

Gabriel

[David Marashlian]

I think it is paramount that you know that you truly are entering into a market that has the potential to make a lot of money. I have been an Online Media Planner & Buyer for ad agencies for years, and I know the trends...and people. And the latest trend people are thrilled about is video via the internet. It is definitely the optimal time to launch a site such as vator.tv. For comparison sake, look at YouTube. Different market but people all over the world are in love with the idea. The whole trick is lining up the right people at the right time to be on vator.tv. And advertising the site itself of course via Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, and banner advertising. Forget about any other medium of advertising...waste of money in my opinion, more expensive, and performance is not even measurable. Anyone else have any ideas for how Bambi can get her site to market?

[Ernesto Mendivil]

Good luck and thanks for the prior articles.

[Andrew]

I (and I believe others too) have appreciated your columns and fresh perspective while at MarketWatch! One day others will admire your career path diversity and venture out too into entreprenuership. Start your own brand and make your own mark. I encourage you to maintain a healthy mind and body above all. Best wishes and Happy Easter! The journey is where it is at according to those in the know and not enough time to retrack! vator.tv is forward.

[Carol Charron]

Hi Bambie,

I was examining your pet project, vator.tv and I was having a hard time grasping the mission and vision of vator tv by examining the entry points of the site.

I have the info that's been posted online, but can you tell me more?

From what I can see, you've found a real niche, and this project should take you in some very exciting directions. Also as a woman finding her way in the world of E-Commerce and Web Development, cheers to you for having such an exciting concept!

Carol Charron
carolanncharron@yahoo.com

[Frank Vaughn]

A short note to wish you the very best in your new endeavor. I do think that you were unfairly criticized and hope that you will prevail in the end as the business woman you have demonstrated to be while at marketwatch. I wish you the very best and if you are looking for investors - please drop me a email. Thanks for many great stories and many hours of valuable and entertaining reading -the best of luck to you.

Frank Vaughn

[Mark Coker]

Bambi, good luck with the new venture. I've enjoying following your great work at Marketwatch for many years and am sure we'll see more of the same at Vator. Also enjoyed sitting on that investing panel with you in San Francisco back in 2001 when I was doing BestCalls.com.

Too bad your tenure at Marketwatch came to such an abrupt end. I would have liked to see you stick around to clear your good name.

Keep climbing those mountains and never give up. Peace.

[John Hugunin]

You'll be missed. You are a true fox and pretty good journalist too.

Hope I see you around.

[Terry Ahern]

Bambi,

Good Luck in your new endeavor. Hope to hear of your success during the next couple years. Take the opportunity when you can and run with it!

I caught up on several video interviews today. You tackle your subjects and present such confidence with such ease, I'm sad to say is lacking with other journalists. You will be missed but good luck on the new adventure.
Terry Ahern

[Kevin]

Good Luck, your readers will miss you.
Great decision to try something of your own creation, I have alot of respect for people who do.

[Andy Beal]

I wanted to wish you the best of luck with your venture. If I can be of any assistance, or if you'd like to guest write for Marketing Pilgrim, please let me know.

The best of luck!

Andy

[Shawn Plaster]

Hi, Bambi,

Best of luck with Vator.tv!! While you will be missed at MarketWatch, we are excited about your new venture.

Take care!
Shawn

[James McGlynn]

Bambi
Good luck. Too often journalists/critics say that businesses are no good and they could do a better job so easily. Congratulations on being daring enough to attempt your new venture.

James McGlynn
Summit Everest Fund

[Rob Wyse]

Bambi:

I first started working with you when you were in NYC and helped you with stories on tech trends. You always got it and always will. You know the world of the private technology start-up to major public companies. It is your keen insight that has led to reporting trends and issues before others. In a new platform that is your own, I am sure you will break and remake news.

[Peter]

Hi Bambi,
Just saw this news over the weekend. I have really enjoyed your articles at Marketwatch over the years. Best of luck on your new venture. Maybe you can start a vator.tv blog and gives people some insights from the point of view of an entrepreneur.

[Michael Nash]

I jumped out of the plan myself in January with no parachute. That's the first step and congrats on taking it. It takes some stones. Although I will miss your reporting via conventional media I am looking forward to keeping up with you via Vator.