When interviewing potential HubPages employees, our CEO Paul Edmondson always likes to ask this question: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Though there are many promising responses to this question (you may have encountered some in HubPages’ numerous job interview guides), the “right answer” at HubPages is to have a vision of someday launching one’s own company. While HubPages is primarily designed to be the ultimate place to craft long format, media-rich articles online, it also has a strong underlying mission to help people pursue their unique passions. This mission manifests itself in the resources we provide, as well as an internal company culture encouraging employees to follow their dreams.
As you might guess, I provided that “right answer” when I was interviewed three years ago, and starting in June, I will deliver on my promise (a bit early, yes, but I’m a compulsive over-achiever). My last day as HubPages’ Director of Marketing is May 31st.
The business I am starting has been inspired, to a great extent, by the HubPages community. On a daily basis I am humbled by the talented Hubbers I encounter and want to do more to support their online ambitions- both with regard to content creation and general entrepreneurship.
It is for this reason that, with the help of a comrade at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, I am launching a training center for online careers called Gigaverse. Our mission with Gigaverse is to help you craft your ideal life and career by using readily-available online tools and resources. We provide help in the form of information, credentials, guidance, and connections.
In addition to free courses on a variety of online pursuits (ranging from community management to freelance writing, journalism, entertainment, business, and sales), Gigaverse will offer vetting, credentials, mentorship, consulting, recruiting, and workshops.
The site is currently in development and will launch this summer, however you can learn more (and sign up for early access) at Gigaverse.com.
It was not an easy decision to leave HubPages. To be honest, I am pretending that May 31st will not be my last day! That said, I have learned from the HubPages community again and again how important it is to take the leap and move on to new things- to test oneself, take risks, try to contribute something valuable to the world, and see what happens.
I will truly miss the excuse to spend all day, every day, poking around the site (though I shall certainly swing by to say hello). I will also miss working with HubPages’ staff- I wish all of you could get to know these level-headed, kind, patient, persevering people- they are AMAZING.
Thank you for three amazing years of enlightening Hubs, new friendships, inspiring success stories, fun programs and contests, lessons learned, Forum freakouts, social media chatter, mind-expanding dialogue, and general shenanigans. If you ever want to chat, stop by Gigaverse and drop me a line!
HubPages Blog 
Simone – thank you for your contribution to Hubpages and your help in making it the best place to write on the web! Good luck with your new website!
Oh, no, Simone! I am so sad to hear that you’re leaving. You have been such a great mentor to me and so helpful in the forums with everyone! I love your style–and your headpieces and funny faces!
I’m happy for you, though, and I may just have to visit Gigaverse to hire your services! You had better come back and visit us, as you say.
Gosh, I just selfishly hate to see you go. I’m sure a myriad of others feel the same.
You will do great things. You’re so smart and talented. We will miss you so much!
Best wishes Simone as you launch Gigaverse. It’s exciting to watch you pursue your unique passion, though you will definitely be missed at HubPages!
Hi Simone, thank you for the support that you have given me, for the short time that I have known you.
I am going to be visiting Gigaverse.com.
I do wish you success with the new site.
Good Luck now!
Ah, you will be missed Simone! Congratulations on your Business and I wish you the best.
Who knows, I may sign up for one of your courses. Especially if they can be taken at a self-pace…to allow for after work hours.
Hi Simone Smith,
It is painful to note that you leave HP. Yet joyful to note that you go for another mission with some great aims. I am sure you will succeed there also as you always go well with your target or even go beyond the calculated plan. It is sure that whatever success you have achieved is just because of one simple reason: Hard work. You always worked hard and achieved your goals. I wish you all the best in your new journey also. I have often quoted at many places that “Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win”. You always being a Winner, I am sure, will never quit. My prayers are there for you. Hope I can hear more positive news from you in the nearest future. With love……..
Hey Simone,
Happy for you that you’re moving on in your life and leanings and sad that we’d miss your musings, suggestions , help and your ever smiling presence.
And yes, I’ll be checking out Gigaverse for writing tips and the like.
I wish you all the best in this new venture of yours! God bless!
Dear Simone,
I’ve not been the most active of members on Hubpages for a while now, but trust me when I say that you will be missed.
Thanks to you I learnt how to use CC images correctly by crediting them to the source. I was looking forward to closer association with you when the new apprenticeship program launched.
However I totally understand that you are moving on to better things and I wish you well in your new endeavor.
All the best for Gigaverse.
So it’s true. Adieu Batman. Will check out Gigaverse. You’ll make it fly, no doubt. Sniff.
Good luck Simone!
What a wonderful good-bye letter. Wishing you much success.
Oh my, you shall be sorely missed, but I wish you good luck on your new endeavor and will be checking out Gigaverse.com.
You have always been very professional, friendly and supportive and I want to thank you for all the help you’ve given me these past few years.
Best Wishes for a Successful New Business Venture,
Happyboomernurse
Hi Simone, I just want to wish you the best of luck in your newest endeavor. You truly are a wonderful inspiration to so many of us on Hub Pages, and I feel fortunate for having you be such a big help to me in so many ways. I love the name Gigaverse, and I have every confidence in you, that I will see you at the top.
Best of luck with this exciting new step you are taking.
Rhonda
Gigaverse soounds like a major project and with plenty of willing participants willing to uptake its services, Simone. Congratulations on taking this bold new step in your career. Filling your shoes after leaving the best Writing Community on the web won’t be easy. Hub Pages had grown with you, and gained because of you. And that means we all gain as writers here.
Best of luck from Astra Nomik – aka Cathy Nerujen.
Long may you shine, Simone.
We will miss you.
Cathy.
I for one will miss you Simone. As a “baby” on HubPages, I have certainly learned from talented writers such as yourself and have enjoyed reading your tutorials in the forums. You have been an inspiration to me and I wish you all the success in the world.
Ho’omaika’i ‘ana & Pomaika`i
Aloha `oe,
Lisa “Pulelehua”
Way to go Simone! You will reach your goals, your vision is solid! I am looking forward to learning more from you, will go and get my early access from Giagverse today!
barbara b
Hey sweets!
Haven’t been around the computer lately and I am shocked-yet pleased-that you are moving on to bigger and better things! You will be so very missed, my dear, and I’ll not forget all your help.
Much love and best wishes,
Laurel
Thanks for all your help in the A program. Have success and fun on your new adventure!! Aloha and mahalo nui loa.
kawikachann
I am really moved by your kind words, everyone!! Thank you so much, and please keep in touch!!
Simone, a great big handshake, hug and thankyou for all your wonderfully good work – especially your swift and relevant replies when I (and plenty of other hubbers) needed help. First class responses at all times!
The absolute best of luck with your new venture into Gigaverse.
Talent is an extremely rare commodity on the “nets“, however I’ve taught, trained, & tenderly guided many high profile individuals on their eager quest for enhanced skills and would confidently say your unique “flair” for theatrics combined with general knowledge and titillating affability should entitle you to become the recipient of a fair share of success within the unlimited reaches of the “INNERVERSE” –
Stay well, stay focused, & always re-define what makes you tick –
Love Always,
– A. Prime –
BTW
“GIGGLEVERSE” ??
Name change contemplation?
Just a thought
Simone, congratulations on you new venture. I’m happy for you but will miss your posts on HubPages.
I have already signed up for early access to Gigaverse.com as I am getting ready to take early retirement and leave my present full time day job to develop a new career online.
Good luck and I will be looking forward to seeing Gigaverse launch.
Chuck
More success to you, Simone.
Thanks for all your help.
Thank you!!! thanks for your contribution to Hubpages..have a great luck Simone!…