Ten years in business is an amazing achievement. I am so proud of what I and the team have achieved.
As a small business owner, I have experienced plenty of ups and downs. Small business life is tough and it’s certainly not all rainbows and unicorns, but with that being said I would not change a thing. Hand on heart, my cup is well and truly full and for that I am grateful.
So where did it all begin…….
My love of web design started way back when I was in high school, my dad was starting a business and needed a website. At that stage, I knew NOTHING about websites. So I got in touch with a good friend, secretly hoping he would build a website for my dad…..but instead he told me he would show me how to build it. That moment in time literally kick-started my career!
In high school, I studied web design and was awarded DUX for my VCE IT class! I graduated with a couple of certifications under my belt (Certificate III in Media, Certificate I in Information Technology & Certificate III in Interactive Digital Media). Whilst still in high school I got my very first client (my brother’s friend’s stepdad). My mum even had to drive me to my client meetings… thanks, mum!
Word of mouth is powerful, and I was fortunate to secure a few more clients. In 2012 when I was just one year out of high school, Payneless Media was officially launched!
After High high school I went on to study for the next 2 years at Swinburne, completing Certificate IV in Web-Based Technologies, Certificate IV in Programming & Diploma in Web-Based Technologies. Six months after graduation I took a leap of faith and went full-time with the business. This was a huge decision, but not one that I’ve EVER regretted.
Running a small business is HARD no matter what age or stage it is in. I hustled! I knew I had to make it work, so I went door-knocking at industrial parks to try and find new clients. I got a lot of NOs, I mean I was basically still a kid. Who wants a kid working for them? Luckily one person took a chance and hired me and the work has snowballed from there.
The team has grown over the years, to include 2 developers that I work with on a project basis. Lee joined the team last year, she helps build websites when my plate is just too full and Pedra manages our content and social media channels.
I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, to my amazing clients, for being genuinely beautiful people and sticking with me on this journey.
Here’s to the next 10 years! Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing you in 2023.
– Carley
