46. The Creative Collective – StartupSmart
Founder: Yvette Adams
Revenue: $338,600
Year: 2007
Head Office: Queensland
Employees: 4.5
Industry: Sales & marketing
Website: http://www.thecreativecollective.com.au
Yvette Adams, founder of The Creative Collective, couldn’t have timed the launch of her online marketing services business any better.
While she originally started the business from home in April 2007 so it would fit around caring for her children, within six months the web marketing wave had transformed the company into a much larger operation.
“From the outset we have offered a wide range of creative services such as marketing, PR, SEO, website design and development, graphic design and social media,” Adams says.
“Initially I offered these on my own but within six months I had five contractors and now I have 25 contractors in addition to staff. We are servicing clients locally, regionally, nationally and internationally via our collective network of creative professionals.”
Adams’ biggest challenge has been managing the growth of the business with her two young children.
“I had to create a very strict time management regime, generally resorting to working when they were asleep or at night.”
Not surprisingly for an online marketing professional, Adams has used a variety of strategies to grow her business, including email marketing, SEO and SEM and aggressive use of social media.
In December 2009, the business was awarded Federal Government funding through the AusIndustry Small Business Online in conjunction with TRAC Consulting. By the end of the contract in June 2011, The Creative Collective will have researched, developed and delivered a total of 72 webinars, 16 full days of live events, 18 e-lessons and 24-hour computer labs to business owners in the Whitsunday, Bundaberg and Sunshine Coast regions.
Adams says her driving factor is what she calls “my eternal quest for the ideal lifestyle.”
“I love juggling the needs of my family and partner, with my own personal needs and combining time with my friends, fitness, rest and relaxation with the rigorous demands and rewards of business.”