1999: Where it all began...

Neopets, Geocities and a 12 year old kid with a penchant for building websites.

There was a bit of nostalgic reflection today as I realised it was 20 years since I first started coding. Yep, that's me in the photo above – using Neopets.com (if anyone can remember what that was). And it's where my passion for digital started, over 20 years ago!

I started to code when I was 11 years old with HTML and CSS – thanks in part to the Neopets website and the ability to edit your own profile with code. Think MySpace but with a bit more playful interactivity. But your profile was where you could flex your latest MIDI file while your <marquee> flashed with your favourite song lyrics of the day.

In 1999, I landed my first web design client when I was 12 years old. It was a $600 website for an industrial business my dad was working for at the time. Let's just say that once the job was done, this Under 13s cricketer had a very nice cricket bat for Christmas. It's been a tradition of mine ever since to buy myself a little something special every year as a result.

Digital is in my DNA and it's why I'm so passionate about what I do. SEO, search ads, social media and digital as a broader discipline touches on so much data and creativity that satiates both sides of my brain. It's a perfect mix for this creative who happens to be incredible data driven.

It's also why I want to support young tech/business minds on their particular journey – it's bloody hard when you go it alone and it's so exciting to see the amazing amount of programs out there to help with young people's growth and development. I could only have dreamed of the opportunities back then!

I love being able to give back to the wider community and sharing knowledge, know-how and the unwritten tips and tricks that have got me and more importantly, every client I have ever work on to where we are today.

With all of that said though, the journey started somewhere. I want to send a massive kudos to my Mum who let me use her credit card to buy my first ever hosting account and to my Dad for showing me what hard work and resilience is. It's really shaped the last two decades and hopefully it has an impact on the next two.

I'm always happy to chat digital and if you've EVER got any questions, feel free to get in touch with me via social media.