The easy answer would be that we were started in Seattle......

The more accurate answer goes something like this. Jonathan Washburn, one of the original founders always used the moniker rainmaker in his early online user names. And at one point he purchased a ton of domain names relative to that moniker. A rainmaker of course is someone that creates business opportunities for those around them. In the very beginning ActiveRain was actually a lead management system for our real estate brokerage and then became a lead management platform for a number of brokerages in the PNW. In those days it was ActiveRain.net. When we launched this site, it made sense to use ActiveRain, with the idea that we could actively help people become Rainmakers in their own businesses. The idea of blogging to reach the search engines quickly evolved after the site launched. In the beginning our aim was to get agents and others in the industry sharing ideas with each other and create a community out of the idea of sharing what works. We though if people were active, they would be able to make it rain in their own business.



And it also happened to be a domain name we owned. And we are all from Seattle. So it all made sense.....at least in our heads :-)

Excellent question and Bob Stewart thanks for the answer.

Actively making droplets of effort to make things happen in real estate. The idea could be born out of a rainy day....

PS:

I sold a coffee house where SunMicro developer launched a software product.  They decided to name after the tasty Java coffee. 

I have heard the story and it is a good one.

Well--we want to be active and it rains in Seattle--ACTIVERAIN BAM

I learned something new from your question. Thank yoy Bob Stewart for the answer.

Since Bob Stewart has already answered and he was involved at founding time, I will adopt his answer.

Thanks Bob for the great insight.  I always loved the concept of "rainmaker"...and the movie.  It's a great business term.

 Good Friday morning Kathleen. I guess now we know the rest of the story – via. Bob Stewart.

It just shows that people in charge pay very close attention and read most of the entries.  Thank you Bob Stewart 

I always though it had to do with all the rain in Seattle, combined with it being an Active community.

Kethleen, this is very good question.

I believe it has something to do with the company being in Seattle. 

Like the other answerers - i don't know this either - Can't wait to hear! 

LOL maybe because it was founded in Seattle.  - Debbie

Who out there knows?  I'd love to hear the answer myself!

You know, I don't think I know the answer to this question, Bob Stewart can you fill us in?

Seatle does have a lot of rain.  And Rainmakers.