Web DesignerDo you know, some months ago I nearly walked away from this website.
It wasn't that it had failed in terms of popularity, but more that I wondered if there could ever be anybody out there, with the enthusiasm to support me. Whilst also using their own creativity, thus allowing a designer and writer to progress, together, commercially?
After all how can a non profitable website work otherwise and vice versa?
After walking away from the stubborn brick walls surrounding me, I diversified by tackling the property ladder. And. I must admit, the challenge and pressure quite literally consumed all of my time and resources.
However, little be known to me, The Courier Newspaper Group, were making pleas in their weekly paper, for me to find a brand new web designer!
Realising this, only after numerous emails began to appear in my mailbox applying for the position. At first I thought it was spam/junk mail, or a joke... as being a comedy writer this would be expected!
Then, totally out of the blue, one email in particular, grabbed my attention. It was girlie style and keen, and she sounded familiar. Her name was Kate, so I took a peek at her website.
To be honest it didn't tell me much, but I still had this gut feeling that there was somebody out there who may be just what I am looking for?
I considered whether to wait until I had finished my building projects, or... find the time to go back in to my secret world of Tee Foley.
As by then, I had lost a great deal of self-confidence. For years I have been making the wrong choices via Internet representation. It has cost me a great deal of time and money, not to mention the frustration and disappointment.
But, I knew only one thing; I owed it to the hundreds of people who were still staying in touch with me, to not give up.
Finally I mustered up the strength to call Kate. We got on really well and, I was most surprised to establish that Kate was of a similar age to me. Cough, cough, now come on we are not here to talk era.
As you know, the Tee Foley website is all about being creatively stupid and there are no rules or boundaries as to age or gender. But I did get the impression that Kate would be a lot younger, which is the sort of youthfullism I was perhaps looking for? After all, us Geminis are renowned for not growing up!
Kate and myself agreed to meet for coffee in Leamington, and we were both 'probably' a little nervous. As neither of us had established just what the other required from this project.
Kate's husband Ian, also came along, and I can remember waffling on about complete rubbish, I was a bag of nerves. This was due to the fact that for the last few months I had been covered in plaster and paint & hadn't really had a normal conversation with anybody other than the tradesmen, and most of those were arguments!
After a pleasant lunch, Kate and me agreed that there was no pressure on either of us. Kate still in full time employment and also a busy Mum. Myself with my two building projects etc.
Now... on reflection, I suppose our situations were far more similar than we knew at the time. Kate had been stuck in a career that really wasn't for her, whilst I had lost my ability to write, whilst feeling somewhat of a failure. So I guess together we helped each other without realising.
And as time has gone on, I see that I have so much more in common with Kate. It's hard being a woman and trying to juggle everything whilst not letting anything drop and break... it really is. And for Kate to take the plunge just as I had done, was to me, a real attribute towards Kate's plight for her own creative ability.
Anyway... some weeks later, feeling totally despondent towards the laziness of tradesmen around me! I logged on to see my website, trying to remind myself that, in my past life, I was indeed a more happy go lucky Tee Foley.
To my amazement, before me is this absolutely glistening new website!
Contacting Kate, she said, 'I wasn't sure whether you would like it!
'Like it Kate Brown, I cannot fault it My Dear!!!' Ha Ha...
And it was amazing how after, months and months of trying to work with previous designers, achieving nothing. That, Kate had just gone into her own special world - creating a site that blew my socks off!
She helped rekindle my own creativity, and dared to do something completely new. Without a constant need for my attention or approval. And I know that Kate Brown will go a long, long way. Well, actually she already has hasn't she!
Please; note that Kate has not used any fancy web building packages. Exclusively Kate has designed all of the work you see on the site. Using her own expertise and knowledge, acquired over the years, in the world of real Internet Technology!
Like me Kate walked from a mundane office job, but what is a few less quid in the bank if your just not happy with your life. Good on you Kate for finding the article in The Courier and keep walking as it's out there waiting for you!
Since then, I have met Stephanie, Kate's daughter, namely Agiel Intelligence featured on my website.
We all meet up regularly and have some really good chats, nice grub and a good old chill out. A refreshing change from bricks & dust!
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With a Great Big Thank You & a Very Warm Welcome to our Very Own Kate Brown!
Also acknowledging and sending our best wishes to The Courier Group!
