GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 5 - May 2008

20 INTERVIEWWITH Andy Follin | Fortune Palace The driving force behind Fortune Palace? Make it convert better! How long have you been working in the online gaming industry? Since October 2006 (about the time of UIGEA!). What first drew you to the business? Al- though I’ve been self-employed for over 15 years, I wanted a business that was more of an asset, one that could generate income over and above the time I spent on it. I was checking out a few options when I saw someone pitching an idea on Dragon’s Den. It was some sort of Pub Poker League, but with an online presence. Sounds strange now, but I couldn’t believe that a Web site owner could get 25% of money lost at an online casino just by re- ferring players. I had to try it for myself! Rumor has it that you like to gamble? What are your favorite betting activities? I’m worried that you’ve heard that rumor! Yes, I like to gamble, but it’s mostly bet- ting on the horses. My brother (who helps me out on the site) is a big horse fan and he spends hours poring over stats look- ing for trends. He’s the archetypal ‘status’ better – he does it for kudos, not just for profit. I’m purely for profit! Online, I like the slightly more obscure games like Tri-card Poker and Caribbean Hold‘em. My favorite, though, is Sic Bo. It’s a very easy way to lose money, but I just like the feel of it. It’s also a great game for trying out betting systems and strate- gies, which is what attracted us to casino gambling in the first place. I’m not a great fan of slots – I find them too repetitive – and I prefer to play poker with friends. Is there one bet you wish you had back? And if so, what was it? None, to be honest. If I were superstitious, I’d take back the bet on Saints (my hometown Rugby League team) to win last year’s Grand Final as I’m sure my ‘lumping on’ caused them to get beat! You’re currently a vocal coach. What have been the best and worst parts of that job? The best part of teaching is knowing that you make a difference in people’s lives. Over the years I’ve seen pupils go on to have careers in music, succeed in their ambitions to be the lead in their local am- dram show, or just enjoy the process of gaining a skill. The worst part is that it can get a little repetitive. I can generally assess people quickly and explain what needs to be done, but getting them there can some- times be a bit of a slog! With singing, peo- ple have a lot of habits and preconceived ideas. If they’re wrong, it can be a long process of stepping backwards before you can start to make any real progress. Unlike the piano or violin, a voice is a very per- sonal thing – it’s literally part of the pupil – so any criticism can be taken to heart. I’ve just finished performing after 20 years (part time, then full time). Being an opera singer is a little like being an athlete – you have to be in top physical shape at all times. I sing at a professional level too infrequent- ly now to warrant that level of dedication, so I’ve decided to stop. But I never regret singing. I had some great times and I met my wife that way – our eyes met across the stage of the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin…but that’s another story! When no one’s listening, I’ll more than likely be singing a very poor version of ‘Hamburg Song’ by Keane. I love that song, but it’s a great example of what I tell my pupils – you can always improve your technique but a voice like Tom Chaplin’s is a rare and unique gift. Between your full-time job, your family and your affiliate business, you must be stretched pretty thin for time. How do you manage it all? And what time manage- ment tips can you offer your fellow GPWA members? With great difficulty! I’d like to say that I always get it right, but things can sometimes get squashed. Generally, I work late at night and early in the morn- ing. When there’s a lot of work to be done on the site, I’ll work weekends too, but I try to ring-fence essential family time. Re- ally, though, there’s never enough time to get everything done. It’s relatively easy to City currently residing in: St Helens, Lancashire, England Age: 43 Favorite food: Lamb and ginger Balti. I’ll often go to Bradford (120-mile round trip) just to get one! One book everyone must read: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – despite its apparent simplicity, I only really appreciated it as I got older. Site: FortunePalace.co.uk Continued on page 51 GPWA TIMES | GPWA Affiliate Interview Series