Late in 2008 I found myself at a crossroads in my career. After working as an employee for almost 20 years, the company I’d been working for was sold and most of the employees were having their career paths “opened up.” The decision I was being forced to make was to either seek alternate employment or to start my own business. I decided to try my hand at self-employment because I didn’t want to start working for someone else again, always wondering “What if…?”

Employers and co-workers had always told me that I had a unique ability to understand problems quickly, to methodically determine the cause and to communicate technology issues in terms that anyone could understand. I thought that maybe, just maybe, I could use that ability to help other business owners solve their technology issues.

Designing, developing and implementing database applications and websites was the type of work I’d been doing for many years. During my final years of employment, working for a branding and marketing company, I was exposed to many business and marketing issues while being part of a team building a successful company from the ground up.

I was responsible for the IT requirements of the business. This included working with web developers to design, build and maintain an effective website. I learned from this experience how frustrating it can be working with solution providers that do not return email or voice mail messages. I learned how easy it is for requirements to get ignored, missed or misunderstood and for costs to steadily creep up.

Most importantly, I learned that once a website is built there is usually no follow-up from most companies. You are left on your own! I remember thinking that if I was running a website design business that things would be a lot different.

So when I was standing there wondering what to do with the rest of my working years, I knew I could use that technological knowledge to help small businesses become more successful in a way I could feel good about.

I created Your Digital Coach after reading a blog post by Seth Godin, a well-known marketing guru, where he talked about Digital Coaches – people who help others learn to use today’s high tech tools. I want to help my clients’ businesses become more successful using technology – making their work easier and increasing their income.

The original vision for Your Digital Coach was to help clients use information technology (hardware and software) to make their work easier. That included hardware support and troubleshooting, software installation and training as well as network maintenance. Since starting the business, however, I have learned that the most common frustration and need among Island businesses is in the area of building and maintaining their websites and marketing their businesses online.

For that reason, I started focusing my time and energy on helping the owners of emerging and expanding businesses develop an Internet strategy with the goal of making their businesses more successful.

Another area I have been spending time in is the development of my network of expert strategic partners in business planning and development – from concept, to brand development, to marketing, copywriting and graphic design. Your Digital Coach has connections with highly knowledgeable people that can help you make any business more successful.

Check out my Work Samples page to see what I’ve done as Your Digital Coach.