Meet Michael Berkens, 2009 Domainer of the Year, publisher of TheDomains.com and owner of roughly 75,000 domain names. WHOA, that’s an estimated $525,000 just in renewal fees every year. You can view and place offers on Michael’s domain names at MostWantedDomains.com.

Q. What is your educational background and do you believe this education helped you with your domain business?
A. I’m a graduate of the City University of New York Brooklyn College, I have a law degree from Stetson College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida and a masters in Tax Law (LLM) from the University of Florida. A Legal education certainly helps in any business including this one, so yes I think it has helped me very much. I also have a ton of very good legal domains. But you certainly don’t have to have a formal education to be successful in this or any other business. You do have to keep yourself informed. You do need to keep learning. I’m constantly reading, watching TV, news, sports, seeing what’s new, going on, not only in the domain world and not only in the tech world, but in the overall economy and in pop culture, music, movies, TV, advertising, etc. The wider your knowledge, the broader your interests, the better your going to do. Pay attention to whats going on and opportunities will present themselves.

Q. As you mentioned in the previous question, you have a law degree. What is your field of expertise and do you still hold an active practice?
A. I stopped actively practicing law 15 years ago or even more. When I did practice I did mostly business and corporate law. While I was still practicing, Judi and I got into the 800/900 business and we produced TV commercials, bought ads on national TV and in most of the top media markets everyday, so I started to slowly wind down the practice, stopped taking any new clients and then gave it up completely. I’m still a member of the Florida Bar, but inactive.

Q. When did you begin domaining and why?
A. I started registering some domains in 1997, with no particular reason or goal, but coming from the 800/900 business, I knew the value of a really good vanity phone number and thought domains would likewise be valuable. It wasn’t until 1999 that I really went into the business of domaining and started mostwantedomains.com, which has been our main sales platform for the past 10 years. When we started MWD we had the goal of selling enough domains to cover the annual renewal costs of the entire portfolio and we have been able to meet or exceed that goal every year since.

Q. How many domain names do you own and what was your largest sale?
A. We own somewhere between 70-75K domains. I try to constantly upgrade the portfolio each year. Our largest sale would be $475,000 for Adult.com.

Q. How much do you make from domaining every year?
A. The company grosses in the seven figures.

Q. I asked both Rick Schwartz and Latona this question. What’s in your garage?
A. I have 3 cars. 2005 Hummer H2, 2004 Cadillac XLR convertible with a retractable hardtop and a 2006 Bentley Flying Spur. They are all are paid for, none were leased and I plan on keeping all 3 for a long time. I think the 3 vehicles combined have less than 60K miles on them.

Q. Your blog is simply amazing. How do you find the time to blog with everything else you are doing?
A. I have no idea. Well, I work 8-12 hours a day, pretty much everyday year round wherever I’m at. On some days, the blog only takes an hour or so, but some days it can take a lot more time. My wife is very understanding and I have no children other than bandit.

Q. Which brings me to, what is a typical day for Michael Berkens?
A. Get up around 9, hop on the computer until 1, run errands, see doctors, go to the vet etc, most of the afternoon, eat dinner out usually around 6-7, if its nice out we try to eat outside so bandit can sit with us and then I get back home and hop back on the computer, and usually go to sleep around 2am.

Q. Are you hand registering domain names and if so what tools do you use?
A. I am absolutely hand registering domains. I read newspapers, magazines, blogs, and if I see something that sounds new or cool I’ll see if its available, if I see a domain that’s taken I look for alternatives to see if they are available. To register available domains I don’t use any tools as such, I just rely on what I see or read and my gut feel for if it.

Q. How does it feel to be named 2009 Domainer of the Year?
A. It’s truly amazing. The list of people who were nominated were simply remarkable, and to even be considered in that group was a privilege. Its a huge honor and I appreciate all the support of the domain community. It was made even more special getting the award, in the place of my birth, Brooklyn, especially since that looks like that will be the last TRAFFIC show in NY for a while and it was great getting the award from Rick and Howard, who I love and have great respect for.

Q. Is there anything else you want to share or words of advice?
A. There are so many ways of approaching the business and making money with domains. There are lots of right ways. You have to find your own niche, something that works with your personality, skill set and financial situation. Work hard. Develop a plan for acquisition, the holding and sale of domains. Work within the rules. Don’t piss your money away on crap. Read, learn and keep your eyes open.

If you enjoyed this, I’d suggest reading another article about Michael written by Ron Jackson of DNJournal.com from July 09.