Let's Chat Tuesday: Featuring Nicola Tweed {Web designer}

Today on Let's Chat Tuesday: Meet Nicola Tweed - web-designer, fitness enthusiast and new inspiring blogger!!

1: Tell us a bit about you, your business and what you do?

My name is Nicola Tweed and I am a freelance web designer & developer. I provide online web services enabling creatives to carve out their own little (or Big) corner on the interwebz.

Question 2: What 3 words best describe your business?

Personable, reliable, understanding

Question 3: How long has your business been running for?

My blog started at the beginning of 2013 and has changed direction several times during the course of it's existence however it still maintains and portrays everything that I am truly passionate about. My site is currently in the changing rooms but will be launching very soon with details of all the services I offer and examples of the sites that I have worked on.

Question 4: What does a normal work day look like for you?

At the moment everyday is totally different. The freeeeeeelancing day is new to me so I'm still setting my own rules for how I run my business and organize my day. I am enjoying discovering how to get the most out of my working day and grow my business.

Question 5: Where do you work from, an office or from home? Tell us a bit about your work space.

In the mornings I work from home, in my little corner and when I say little I mean it... but I love it because it's completely my space. Above my workspace I've got 3 clipboards on which I use for different projects. If I have an idea I'll write it down and clip it to the board - somehow I find pictures and words get lost on a computer. Old fashioned paper still works best for me. When I work at night I always light a candle and ensure that I have a jug of water by me. During the afternoons you'll find me behind the counter at The Ruby Orchard.

Question 6: What do you consider your business’s greatest strength to be?

What I've come to notice is that not everyone talks my nerdy code language and unfortunately a lot of other web design & development companies take advantage of this then over charge and under deliver. I see it way too often and it breaks my heart when people are taken for a ride like that. I've worked in several various customer facing roles and really understand where creatives are coming from and never use nerdy code or hectic IT language on them. I like to think I'm also a creative and on the same journey as them.

Question 7: Apart from your business, what else are you passionate about?

Running, yoga, green juicing, breakfast in bed and feather duvets in the winter.

Question 8: What’s one thing you’ve learned since starting your own business that you wish you could share with every creative out there?

Never under value your service and under sell yourself, even if you are self taught. If you are self taught and good at it then that shows true talent. Pricing can be an awkward topic but if you have a worthy service then by all means charge for it and make a good living out of it. You are worthy!

Question 9: If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you take with you?

My yoga mat, my juicer (I assume there will be plenty of fruit on this island?!), one massive journal and a pen with never ending ink - the peacefulness of the beach always inspires me to write.

Question 10: Where can we find more info about your company & what you have to offer?

                  Website           Facebook         Instagram         Twitter

Let's Chat Tuesday: Meet Miss Milly :)

Today on Let's Chat Tuesday, meet Miss Milly, AKA - Theresa Welgemoed!! This creative, inspiring woman has recently launched a stunning new blog and creative business, all centered around the things she loves most!!!

Question 1: Tell us a bit about you, your business and what you do?

My name is Theresa and I am the owner of Miss Milly. My love for washi tape turned into stationery, and pretty girly things and my love for words and writing; turned blog.

Question 2: What 3 words best describe your business?

Miss Milly is all about craft, dedication and prayer.

Question 3: How long has your business been running for?

I have been dreaming for the past 6 years of having my own business, but only started Miss Milly the business in November last year and the blog in January this year.

Question 4: What does a normal work day look like for you?

I leave home at 7 in the mornings to go to my day job and then return in the afternoons – I normally take a 30 minute break, just to putter around the house a bit before I get to Miss Milly. I check emails and reply to them, and work on orders going out. In between I spend time on social media to add updates and posts, and of course on Pinterest *blush*, to get some inspiration. Once a week I try to develop some ideas for new products, send out orders, work on my blog and network.

Question 5: Where do you work from, an office or from home? Tell us a bit about your work space.

I have a beautiful craft space at home; inspired by all the prettiness found on Pinterest and blogs. I have a trestle table (serving as my desk), in front of a large window with a nice view.

On my desk there’s a gorgeous orchid in bloom, vintage frames with photographs of loved ones, my diary and notebooks from Typo. I keep my craft supplies in different size boxes, neatly stacked on a bookshelf. Up on the wall on my chalkboard, I write inspirational quotes and draw pictures from time to time…

The colours used throughout are a combination of pastels with pink and turquoise and mint accents, and there are hints of my love for pretty things in bunting, bunnies, owls, and various trinkets. I am very sentimental and a bit of a hoarder – but in an “Obsessive-compulsive” kind of way.

Question 6: What do you consider your business’s greatest strength to be?

Miss Milly is still in her baby shoes, but I would hope that her greatest strength would be my love for craft and the finer details that add a subtle beauty to lives. And of course my faith.

Question 7: Apart from your business, what else are you passionate about?

God. Pink ice cream. Instagram. Love. Vintage. Lace.

Question 8: What’s one thing you’ve learned since starting your own business that you wish you could share with every creative out there?

To not be afraid to take the leap. Just start somewhere. And to really dream big.

Question 9: If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you take with you?

My leatherman, Redeeming love by Franice Rivers and a suitcase full of craft supplies.

Question 10: Where can we find more info about Miss Milly?

Website                              Facebook

Let's Chat Tuesday: Featuring Anton Vorster from Cloudfusion

Today I have privilege of featuring Anton Vorster, who owns his own premium web solutions company, Cloudfusion, in JHB, South Africa.

Question 1: Tell us a bit about you, your business and what you do?

My name is Anton Vorster, age 32, married for just over 3 years and we have a little baby girl of 10 months. I always wanted my own business, but never quite knew exactly what this business would be about or where to start.

Coming from a pure technical background, I had very little business or marketing skills, but seemed to have a way with people. It always brings me great joy to serve people and to see them happy, this was and will always be my biggest driving factor for doing what I love, and the only way to achieve this is to under promise and over deliver.

My business (Cloudfusion) have had many names and faces over the years. I suppose this was as a result of me trying to find who I really am.

Cloudfusion is all about Premium Web Solutions: Web Development, Creative Design, File & Web Hosting, Domain Registration, Hosted Exchange Email & Software Development.

I specialize in setting up Web services for start-ups. I generate content regularly for clients when they don't have much to show which gives them a significant head-start. I generated the entire website from the ground up, all content, Images, logos, everything for Neotan as an example: Click here to see my work!

!!

Question 2: What 3 words best describe your business?

Premium Web Solutions

Question 3: How long has your business been running for?

9 Years.

Question 4: What does a normal work day look like for you?

I am permanently employed as Senior Software Engineer at an Engineering Firm in Sandton Johannesburg. I have always been fortunate enough to manage both day job and private business without one interfering with or neglecting the other.

Question 5: Where do you work from, an office or from home? Tell us a bit about your work space.

My main office would be my study; this is where I do 60% of my work. I often find inspiration sitting and working at a coffee shop, some of my greatest ideas were fathomed there - in fact, that’s where it all started. The rest of the time is spent in the office or on the road.

Question 6: What do you consider your business’s greatest strength to be?

Fast turnaround times and superior communication with the client.

Question 7: Apart from your business, what else are you passionate about?

I am really passionate about family, friends and coffee, spending enough time with them and making sure they get all the attention they deserve. I also love spending time in the garden and buying the latest gadgets on the market.

Question 8: What’s one thing you’ve learned since starting your own business that you wish you could share with every creative out there?

I've learned that starting a business is extremely tough and time consuming, always put family first, never give up, trust your instincts and do something that you are truly passionate about and it will succeed.

Question 9: If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you take with you?

My Macbook Air, Solar Powered Charger and Espresso Machine.

Question 10: Where can we find you?

Click on my logo below to access my website.

                   

Let's chat Tuesday: Featuring London Photographer Maxeen Kim

Today on Let's Chat Tuesday, I had the privilege of interviewing London-based photographer, Maxeen Kim. Maxeen is an old friend of mine, however we drifted apart over the years, and this re-connection through our common love for creativity & entrepreneurship has brought me so much joy!!

Question 1: Tell us a bit about you, your business and what you do?

I’m a photographer, originally from South Africa, based in London.

I specialize in weddings (both in the UK and abroad – I will go anywhere to photograph your special day!) as well as lifestyle and family shoots. I’m professional but relaxed with my clients. I feel that the better I know you, the easier it will be to capture the real you in every moment of your big day or shoot.

Question 2: What 3 words best describe your business?

Personal, Creative & Unique

Question 3: How long has your business been running for?

My business has been running since April 2012.

Question 4: What does a normal work day look like for you?

A week day starts with a breakfast shake, gym, answering of emails, morning photo editing session, lunch, social media updating/marketing, followed by any client meetings or an afternoon photo editing session. If I have any maternity or newborn shoots booked, these will usually take place in the afternoon.

Question 5: Where do you work from, an office or from home? Tell us a bit about your work space.

I work from home. I have a lovely little pigeon-hole cabinet that I use as a desk – as well as home to my marketing and filing things. I like to keep things clean and clear (I find clutter distracting) and I have all the thank you cards I get from clients attached to a piece of ribbon on the wall to remind me that what I’m doing makes people happy.

Question 6: What do you consider your business’s greatest strength to be?

Passion and a positive attitude; if you are passionate and positive about what you do, that will shine through into your work. As I provide a face-to-face, service based business, my success is directly related to how I present myself. Your wedding is a big deal and it’s important to have someone documenting your day who is going to be positive, happy and honored to be a part of it.

Question 7: Apart from your business, what else are you passionate about?

Art and travel – both at the same time if possible too! Luckily, I currently live in the UK so my travels can often combine the two. I believe travel is good for the soul. I love exploring new places, trying new foods and making new friends.

Question 8: What’s one thing you’ve learned since starting your own business that you wish you could share with every creative out there?

Don’t be afraid to ask other creatives for advice! It took me a long time to get up the courage to ask other photographers about how they do things, or what printers/designers/marketing tools they find useful - because I felt like I should already know this ‘stuff’… By getting up the courage to say ‘hi’ to some amazingly talented person, I not only learnt a lot about the business, but I have gained some really wonderful friends with similar passions and interests to me.

Question 9: If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you take with you?

My camera, the love of my life (sorry to get you stranded too, Lovie – maybe he will bring something ‘life saving’?) and ice cream. I may not last long but at least I would die happy. J

Question 10: Where can we find more info about Maxine Kim?

Website                                              Blog                                                        Facebook

Twitter: @MaxeenKim                                     Instagram: @maxeenkim

Let's Chat Tuesday: Greg Keal from Rise Up

Today on Let's Chat Tuesday, we're featuring Greg Keal, co-founder of the youth movement, Rise Up in South Africa.... AKA - my little brother!! 

Question 1: Tell us a bit about you, your NGO and what you do?

I am Gregory Keal, a normal 18-year-old boy that has had enough of the inequality, lack of provision of services and the many violations of the basic human rights promised to us by the Bill of Rights in our constitution. This led me and a friend, Tannagh Pfotenhauer, who shared the same views to start our youth movement "RiseUp" which aims to unite the youth of South Africa and to get them to collectively protest and petition against human rights violations in South Africa and to get involved in community work in order to set the example and to show that we are doing our part in shaping a better South Africa. 

Question 2: What 3 words best describe your NGO?

Dynamic, Caring and non-judgmental.

Question 3: How long has your NGO been running for?

Although we were only officially registered on the 13 December 2013, we have been running our projects, protests and cementing all our documentation since February 2013 - launching our website, Facebook page and Twitter handle in May 2013. 

Question 4: What motivated you to start this project?

As I said above, seeing the inequality, lack of provision of services and the many violations of the basic human rights motivated us to be the change we want to see in South Africa - rather than relying on the older generation that seemed to be doing very little to make changes. We wanted to show that collectively the youth have got power and can change the way our citizens are treated.

Question 5: What do you consider your NGO’s greatest strength to be?

I think our greatest strength is our power in numbers, and the enthusiasm and willingness of the youth in order to create a better South Africa. 

Question 6: How does one get involved?

Anyone under the age of 25 (including you) can join as a member - which just means that you will receive our weekly/monthly email and be notified about any events that we are having. You are able to decide whether you want to get involved or not. 

If you would like to volunteer for RiseUp on either a temporary basis in your area (help with community projects) or if you would like to have a permanent position - which would require between 3 - 5 hours work per week - then you can go onto our website and see what positions are available and you can email greg.riseup@gmail.com for further information. The positions are completely flexible - allowing the volunteers to work any 3/5 hours in the week - but they must send a summary of what they did in each of the hours every week.

People could also get involved in providing funding, which is desperately needed to continue our work. People can donate any amount and even specify which project the money must go to. We have a write-up of every project we do and what is required in terms of funding and physical assets.

Question 7: Apart from your NGO, what else are you passionate about?

Yoh, this is a very difficult question to answer without being linked to any "group of people". 

I am passionate about the community, and helping wherever I can. I am passionate about God and learning more about him and the ways to experience him. I am passionate about traveling and seeing the world as much as I can, especially the places that aren't common destinations, places that change what I believe and places that are not like my home country. I am passionate about people, learning from them and getting to know people from all walks of life. 

On a different note, I'm also pretty passionate about cars - different models and prices and I love a good car-selling magazine. And I love property, a passion I share with my dad.

Question 8: Want to inspire us with any last words?

Our biggest inspiration through the whole process (even when, at times, it seemed impossible to start an NPO at age 17) has been "Be the change you want to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi

Question 9: Where can we find more info about Rise Up?

Email: greg.riseup@gmail.com

PS - Greg has just been nominated by LeadSA and the Sunday Tribune as one of the candidates for LeadSA Hero, after being hero of the week a couple weeks back!!! 

To vote for Greg, please email tribuneleadsa@inl.co.za with "LeadSA Youth hero for December" as the subject, and "Greg Keal" in the body of the email.

                                          Website                Facebook