By JESSICA BALANZA

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Westchase resident Dan Eassa started a Web site with a goal in mind – to help customers save money while providing businesses an outlet to advertise on the Internet.

The Web site, What a Deal Tampa Bay, was launched in October. In its first month, the site has already had 2,500 hits, said Eassa.

The Web site provides customers with discounts to businesses in the Westchase, Odessa, Town ‘N Country and Lutz areas.

Eassa said he hopes to continue to expand the business. His next step is working with businesses in the downtown Tampa area. Ultimately, he’d like to franchise the business, as well.

On the site, customers can enter their ZIP code and a list of business types is displayed for the area with coupons available. The coupons can be printed and taken to the merchant to be honored.

While Eassa runs the business, Web site maintenance is done by Scott LeVeque.

Although the business is on the Internet, Eassa said, customers do not have to worry about personal information being shared.

“Biggest challenge will be to change everyone’s habits,” said 38-year-old Eassa.

Traditionally, customers would receive their coupons in the mail. But with the Web site, customers have the opportunity of getting the coupons they need, and printing them before they leave the house, he said.

Danielle Williams, general manager of Let’s Eat, said the business signed up with What a Deal Tampa Bay in October. Since then, the number of customers using coupons have increased.

“We definitely keep track of what works for us,” she said. “This is a great little niche and it’s very easy for customers to use.”

Although the dot-com boom is over, Eassa said, he is not concerned the Web site will not be a success.

“The Internet has become a more acceptable mean to advertise and use as a means of conducting business,” he said.

Starting a business was not something that needed much consideration, Eassa added. In his opinion, corporate America does not have the perks it used to.

A husband to Laura and father of 4-year-old Andrew, Eassa had a goal in mind when he started the Web site – to spend spend more time with his son.
Freetime was a luxury he hadn’t been able to enjoy during his 12 years as a TV sportscaster.

“I am now taking a leap of faith,” he said. “I want to have more family time.”

Eassa graduated with a bachelor’s in marketing from Pace University in New York. The native New Yorker said he has tried out many careers, including once trying out as a punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For information, visit http://www.whatadealtampabay.com.