The Network
While the Cafe was at the heart of the business, the Network was its engine.
Here are the stories, news, and events that tracked its growth from a local internet cafe to a national independent broadband service provider.
Superfan Turned Crew
I had always been a super-fan, lived in Ballard, came to Belltown all the time, used the terminals,
From NetDesk to VP
I started off doing tech support in the evenings on the weekend and found I had a lot of interesting
Press: Covad Plans To Offer Speedy Dsl Service In Puget Sound Area
Partnering with Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Covad, Speakeasy launches its broadband services
Somehow We Made a Company Happen
My favorite memories of working at Speakeasy all have to do with how ridiculous all of it seemed. We
Ask Lynx
One rainy evening in the largely industrial neighborhood of Georgetown, Speakeasy crew member Jason
Improvisational Confidence
Mike actually had a printed out PowerPoint deck with our executive summary and overview. He was
From Arcade to Tech
I was working at an arcade in Seattle when a regular (bnelson) called to me from a mezzanine above
From Russia, with Love
In late November, several of Speakeasy's web servers were compromised by a hacker based in Russia.
Press: Soul Providers
Entrepreneur profiles several start-ups, focused on more than just making a buck.
Ellis Island
I started off on the sales team. I wasn’t the best sales person on the team, however, I was good at
Hardware Hoochie and System Salvationist
I was hired on as a technical support representative, but I was then quickly transitioned into
A Sense of Community
I think that sense of community and togetherness is one of the best things I took away from my time
Press: Speakeasy Acquires Jet City
Speakeasy expanded its customer base by acquiring another local ISP, Jet City.
Press: Covad Declares Bankruptcy
In a brief setback, Speakeasy's partner, Covad, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
We Were a Family
I lived right next door to Speakeasy, and I loved waking up, stumbling down the stairs, seeing my
Something for the Smarty Pants
you | wonder whether if | with eyes closed | we could bend spoons | or ascend stairs | by desire
Go Do It
What I remember is that we had to move quickly. If you knew how to get the job done, the job was
Competing with Napster
I did a couple of music content ‘deals’ for Speakeasy, bundling eMusic and Rhapsody digital music
Guinness is Good for You
The first time I had seen Mike Apgar was when my manager walked our training group through the Blue
Lateral Memories
A lot of my favorite memories are sort of lateral, involving people I met at the Speakeasy, or
The Oldest One Here
I was hired at Speakeasy as a Controller in January 2001. Having spent my career at more
We All Pulled Together
I always loved the old building(s) we were in, but being in the 2nd Ave office during the Nisqually
A Great Face for Phone Support
I started in billing and then tech support. I learned that I could Google steps to solve tech issues
September 11th
One early Autumn morning, American’s perception of its place in the world was irrevocably
Press Release: DirectSwitch – Speakeasy Offers Customer-Friendly Transition Program for Stranded DirecTV DSL Subscribers
Speakeasy grows exponentially through the launch of their DirectSwitch program.
All About the People
It's rare that you work with a group of folks that you want to spend the rest of your evening
You Can’t Train Attitude
I have always thought that myself, you can teach anyone anything if they are willing to learn, but
Press: Speakeasy is adept at evolving
Finding success as an upstart Internet Service Provider in the early days of the web wasn't easy.
My Views Were Valuable
At a meeting one morning after about six months or so of starting my job, Mike Apgar turned to me
Fight the Fight Against Misogyny
It was so offensive, I asked Jesse Harris (who was my AS at the time) if he would take the call and
Press: Speakeasy Debuts at No. 47 on Inc. 500
Speakeasy debuted at number 47 on the Inc 500 list of the US's fastest growing private companies in
Press: Speakeasy’s secret formula
The success of Speakeasy was often written about; this piece tracks the history of the company as it
Press: DSL Headbangers
DSL Headbangers Metallica strikes Speakeasy Deal by Karl Bode Metallica, the band that created
Press: Metallica’s online strategy is ‘St. Anger’ management
Through a partnership between the band and Seattle-based Internet service provider Speakeasy, music
Anti-Metallica DDoS
After their infamous battle with Napster, Metallica decided to take the reigns of how their music
Press: Launch of NetShare
Speakeasy launches the Wi-Fi sharing service, NetShare, to its customers.
Focusing on the Right Thing to Do
Jay Hollett was newly hired, and I was his mentor, so he sat next to me and asked a lot of
Press: Speakeasy names new chief executive
Broadband provider Speakeasy has hired Bruce Chatterley as its president and chief executive
Press: Capital time for cash hunt
Speakeasy successfully raises $24m in additional funding.
Press: Internet provider buys GameDaemons
Speakeasy expands its brand within the gaming community by picking up GameDaemons.
Press: Launch of OneLink – High-speed access without local line
Speakeasy's OneLink enabled customers to receive DSL services without requiring a land line.
Press: Internet provider reports new funding
Speakeasy receives funding from Intel in order to investigate the since-abandoned WiMax technology.
Press: Launch of VoIP
Speakeasy expands its product set to include Voice over IP services for their residential customers.
Press: Speakeasy to offer Firefox browser
Yes, there was a time when Mozilla's FireFox was considered an 'upstart,' and that's precisely when
Press Release: Speakeasy Launches Integrated Business Voice Over IP (VoIP)
Building on its success with residential Voice over IP services, Speakeasy launches a
It Could Only Happen at Speakeasy
One warm spring day, we lost our Internet connectivity in the 3rd Ave building, and I just happened
Full of Heart
Speakeasy was full of heart at all times. I have a million examples of this kind of corporate
Press: Space Needle a launchpad for ‘pre-WiMax’ service
Speakeasy sets up its first hardware in order to test out delivering WiMax within the Seattle metro
Press: Speakeasy moving to downtown site
Speakeasy departs Belltown for a new location overlooking the Seattle waterfront.
Press: Midsize companies beginning to mature
Founded in 1994, Speakeasy evolved into an Internet service provider primarily for residential
Press: Speakeasy founder leaves for new venture
After more than a decade developing Speakeasy from nothing into something, Mike Apgar was ready for
Knowledge in Spades
I don't think I'd ever had so much fun on the job, we laughed daily and the overall vibe was sincere.
Press: Speakeasy selling wireless assets to rival
After its experiments in WiMax didn't pan out, and in preparation for its sell to Best Buy,
Press: Speakeasy speaks to Best Buy’s business strategy
When you spend over a decade building a loyal customer base, you've got to do a little PR to allay