Ryp Walters founded Developing Virtual Realities, Inc., a web development firm, in September of 1995 in hopes of capitalizing on the growing interest in the ARPANet (the Internet). Although the technical community was adamant about keeping it private, it was evident that the Net was not going to stay hidden. The ARPANet became public in 1994 and officially became the Internet when the federal government pulled out its ownership in 1995.

During the next three years, DVR grew from a web development firm into a full-service Internet company offering dialup and dedicated Internet connections. As the business developed, Ryp separated it into two businesses. In early 1998, the telephony side of the business became MidWest Access and the web site design became OverCoffee Productions. MidWest Access was then sold to Van Meter Industrial in June of 1998.

For OverCoffee, Ryp reviewed the marketplace and determined a need to shift from a geographically based business to a national industry-specific business. After investigating several markets, the OverCoffee team determined that the Gifts and Collectibles Industry would offer the greatest opportunities and had the most need for expansion on the Internet.

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