About Me
My name is Tyler Cruz and I’m a web entrepreneur, blogger, CEO, and all-around nice guy.
I make a comfortable living from the Internet through a number of means including running Merendi Networks Inc. (which owns and operates several dozen websites), blogging, and occasionally dabbling in other online entrepreneurial areas such as domain and website flipping.
I am in my late 20′s (God, I’m getting old!) and reside in Nanaimo on the beautiful island of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
What’s Your Blog About?
TylerCruz.com chronicles my day-to-day operations as a web entrepreneur and someone who makes their living entirely from the Internet. Post topics range from blogging tips, affiliate marketing, inspirational and motivational posts, contests and competitions, guest posts, in-depth articles, reviews, and the occasional personal post.
While categorized as a "make money online" blog, I’ve never proclaimed myself as a guru or expert in this field, even though other sources may label me as such. Instead, I simply try to share what knowledge and experience I do have, but never package it as the Gospel. While I do share tips and try to help others make money online, my blog is and always has been about my personal journey to wealth.
Full Time Blogger
I first created my blog in the fall of 2005 after a popular thread I created on a large webmaster forum I frequented at the time sparked numerous requests for me to create my own blog. The rest is history.
However, while my blog has made me over $60,000 (not counting affiliate sales), it is not my primary source of income. I make the majority of my income through my various websites, whether it be from direct income or by flipping them for profit. Some of the websites in my network can be seen at Merendi.com.
That being said, blogging probably takes up more time than any of my other projects!
How Much Do You Make?
Due to the fast changing pace of the Internet and being an entrepreneur, my income is always shifting. For example, in 2007, I made over $100,000, but in 2009 I spent over $100,000.
I also sold a site in March of 2011 for a pretty nice sum (which I have agreed not to disclose), but at the same time, that site used to be my largest money-maker, which takes a cut out of each month’s income thereafter.
My web income has allowed me to purchase a new car at 21, my own condo at 23, and I am currently in the process of looking to upgrade to a house.
At the end of the day, I make enough to live a modest and comfortable life. I’m not rich, but I’m not poor either.
What’s important to me is that I work for myself. I have no boss to impress and no clients to suck up to, and can work from the comfort of my own home.
You’re a CEO?
Technically, yes. In March of 2008 I founded the corporation Merendi Networks Inc. and basically handed all of my online ventures over to it mainly for tax and legal reasons. I am the Founder and CEO of the corporation, but I still work in a T-shirt and am the only employee!
Career Highlights & Accomplishments
Some of the more notable highlights & accomplishments I’ve encountered throughout my online endeavours in the past few years include:
- Netting $300,000 from owning and operating a poker site and then selling it
- Flipping a gaming site for 600% ROI, turning a $2.3K investment into $16.5K
- Brokering a domain name for $200,000
- Launching PublisherChallenge; 5 months later site members generated over $1,000,000
- Earning over $60,000 from my blog (not including affiliate sales and referrals)
- Expanding Movie-Vault.com into the world of Hollywood by attending world premieres and red carpet events, providing video coverage and interviews of celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Jack Black, Katherine Heigl, Sam Worthington, Michael Bay, Helen Mirren, John Hurt, Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Jason Statham, and even Justin Bieber
- Gaining friends and acquaintances with some of the top players in the industry
What Are Your Hobbies and Interests Outside of the Internet?
While making money online is actually one of my favourite pastimes, getting immersed into a good video game is a close second. I absolutely love gaming.
Some of my favourite computer games have been Starcraft, Civilization V, Fallout III, and TF2 (arena). I also more recently got into playing Rock Band 3 on the PS3, actually making it into the top 30 on the leaderboards for the pro guitar.
I love watching a good movie or TV show. I also adore food, and can’t get enough of it… which should be apparent from the numerous weight loss challenges I’ve had to compete it on my blog.
I love dogs to death, which is the main reason why I am selling my condo to purchase a house with a yard.
I also play badminton at a few clubs in my city 2-3 times a week, which is always very enjoyable.
When I am not doing any of the above, I’ll probably be out at a restaurant with my girlfriend.
