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I was fortunate enough to spend some time talking with Brian Harbin and Michael Law of Grit Brokerage.  In the interview, Brian and Michael discuss their backgrounds and entry into the domain brokerage industry, detailing their career paths and the foundation of their company, Grit Brokerage. Brian shares his early career in sales and transition from insurance to domain brokerage, eventually moving to a full-time role in 2020. Michael recounts his initial interest in domains in college, early experiments with domain flipping, and subsequent work on a domain-focused blog and a local meetup.

They emphasize the complexities of domain valuation, explaining that unlike physical assets, domains lack standardized pricing and depend on market trends, buyer resources, and comparable sales. Their approach to evaluation includes factors such as domain type, search volume, and similar domain pricing in alternative extensions.

A significant part of their work involves bridging the price gap between sellers’ expectations and buyers’ budgets. They prioritize relationship-building and adaptability in communication, meeting clients where they are most comfortable, whether through calls, emails, or messaging apps. Both brokers highlight the importance of managing client emotions and staying responsive, leveraging their team’s skills and market knowledge to drive successful deals. They observe trends like the rise in personal branding and increased corporate investment in online assets post-COVID, suggesting that domain demand will continue to grow alongside digital transformation efforts by businesses and individuals.

Thanks to both for sharing with us!