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

Inspired for more - Networking in KZN

Are you a 20 – 30 something girl, who has her own creative business??

I’m talking anything from owning your own pilates studio or coffee shop, running your own fashion design, life coaching or even events company. If you own it (or part own it), then yes I’m talking to you!!!

You are enough!! You are beautiful. You are incredibly talented. And you have what it takes to make this business a success!!

This is what so many of our hearts long to hear, and yet our inner critic so often takes over & points out our faults, echoes our fears and causes us to doubt ourselves.

Owning your own business is hugely empowering, it gives you the freedom to do what you love everyday…but what it can also be incredibly lonely which often leads us to self doubt. And self doubt has the potential to box you in, and prevent you from taking your amazing business to new and greater heights!!

It is with all this in mind that I present to you...

“Inspired for more”

Join me and other inspiring creatives for a morning that is all about inspiration, networking and rekindling the fire within you that first got you to start your own business.

Date: Saturday, 24^th May 2014
Time: 9am – 11am
Place: 20 Impala Road, Kloof, KZN

To keep this event intimate, there are only 15 spots available. 

Sign up here to find out more about this inspiring morning, what content will be covered and to what extent this event will give you space to grow your network & inspire you to keep you doing the awesome work you were created to do!!

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.