Oxley hasn’t slowed down after selling hosting business.
When HostGator founder Brent Oxley sold his company to Endurance International Group in 2012, he did what a lot of entrepreneurs in Texas do after selling a business: he bought a ranch. Oxley found his new home in an 18,000+ acre ranch about two hours west of San Antonio in Uvalde, Texas.
But unlike many people who cash in on a big sale, Oxley isn’t slowing down with his entrepreneurial endeavors. Not only is he churning out more internet businesses (more on that later), he has also turned the ranch into a business.
I traveled to Ox Ranch this past weekend to see what Oxley has developed on the massive property.
As I entered the ranch, I saw dozens of small animals on both sides of the road. About a quarter of a mile later I was suddenly surrounded by much larger animals: giraffes. The ranch is home to dozens of exotic animals including wildebeest, buffalo and camels. Although my attempts to feed the giraffes failed, it was still remarkable to get so close to these animals.
Seeing the animals was nice. But what I really came to the ranch to experience was driving a tank.
Oxley set up a business with a domain name that DNW readers will appreciate: DriveTanks.com.
The ranch has nine tanks (and growing) that you can drive. Many of the tanks can be shot as well.
I chose to drive an Abbot FV433 through the tank course, which traverses a steep decline and creek.
If driving a tank isn’t enough to get your juices flowing, you can also crush a car in a British Chieftain tank and shoot a live round from one of the tanks.
Those that prefer smaller weapons can fire off rounds from machine guns from across the world. If you like heat, you can shoot a flame thrower:
That’s not me in the picture. Watching from thirty feet away was close enough for me.
Ox Ranch has a number of overnight packages available with stays in its luxury cabins. There’s also an airstrip if you prefer to fly in than to make the drive.
While developing an 18,000 acre ranch must be a full-time job, Oxley is still working on building internet businesses.
Two of the companies he’s working on right now have excellent domain names. Help.com is an Austin, Texas-based customer support system. Oxley is also working on launching a real estate site on the category-killer domain Realty.com. He bought the domain for seven figures.
Very cool. Usually a couple grand to drive a tank, so hopefully Brent gave you a good deal. 😉
I believe he also acquired Broker.com last year? Realty.com is a killer domain. My brother owns Listings.com, which is also pretty good… 😉
Yes, he also has Broker.com
First, start a blog about the domain name industry. Only a matter of time before that leads to hunting giraffes with tanks.
Haha… I was wondering how that transition happens. (Feels a strange urge to jump in a tank now, but then realizes he lives in Texas and it’s a common thing here) 😉 🙂
18,000 acres – WOW !!!
Living in the Wash, DC area, 18,000 acres is mind boggling.
I realize everything in Texas is larger.
18,000 acres would be a full time job for a large work crew.
Doing a rough estimate – to walk the property boundary, the min. is 64 miles. And, goes up from there , depending on the shape of the property.
I tip my Stetson to Oxley.
It just dawned on me, the ATF must visit the ranch at least once a month considering his weapons inventory.
ATF is always monitoring machine gun ownership. (requires special license plus an excise tax)
I could not begin to figure the steps through the gov’t bureaucracy to own operational tanks plus flame throwers.
I imagine they have a lot of paperwork to keep up with.
18000 Acres this is crazy man, Hostgator founder living life like king size with his domains.
18000 acres!! Just wow. He is living life king size
I can get behind this! Still use HostGator to this day. Maybe I’ll need to go check out Brent’s tanks sooner than later.