“Passion, perseverance, quick decision-making, believing in myself and my team and a willingness to take calculated risks helped make me successful.

Bob Parsons
With more the 48 million domains under management, Valley-based GoDaddy.com is the world’s largest Web-hosting provider and top domain name registrar—and Parsons, a Scottsdale father of three, is the man who founded it all.

What does “power” mean to you?
It means having the ability to make a difference.
What impact do you strive to have on the Valley?
I am always looking for ways to make a difference, and I like to think Go Daddy’s charity work makes a positive difference here in the Valley. We’ve helped build the nation’s first shelter devoted to helping women who suffer from both HIV/AIDS and domestic violence, and it’s located in Phoenix. Go Daddy also helped build the Danica Patrick GoDaddy.com Domestic Violence Center here in Phoenix. We work to have an impact with helping those less fortunate with a focus on women and children who need help with healthcare and education.
What has made you successful?
Passion, perseverance, quick decision-making, believing in myself and my team and a willingness to take calculated risks helped make me successful.
What is one tip that everyone can use to become successful?
I have 16 rules I live by, rules I think can help people become more successful. It’s hard to pick one, but No. 5 is important and certainly everyone can do it. Focus on what you want to have happen. As you think, so shall you be.
How do you face challenges such as the recession?
We keep doing what we do: provide a great product at low prices and back it up with the best customer service in the business. Through the recession months, Go Daddy added hundreds of jobs and increased revenue substantially so we didn’t make any changes to how we do things.
Who is your mentor?
My dad influenced me a lot. And John D. Rockefeller taught me how important it is to know exactly where you stand in a business at all times. Measure everything because everything that is measured and watched improves. I also admire Generals Ulysses Grant and William Sherman who won the Civil War for the U.S. Alexander the Great, who conquered the world, and Julius Caesar, who was a brilliant leader. All were innovative, disciplined and focused on doing the job at hand.
Why do you choose to live in Arizona?
Because the weather is great. Life is short. It makes sense to be where the weather is good.
What one superpower would you like to possess?
I’d like to be strong enough to hit accurate golf tee shots out 300 yards—and also maybe make a putt every now and then.