As a dad, I value nothing more than time with my kids. Watching them grow, sharing laughs, and being there for the little moments—it's what makes life truly meaningful. But as the year 2025 begins, I've been reflecting on how I got here, balancing the work I love with the freedom to be present for my family. My journey into digital marketing has been long, challenging, and incredibly rewarding, and I hope by sharing it, I can inspire other dads (and mums) to pursue their passions and find their path to freedom.
How It All Began
My story starts like many immigrant stories—humble beginnings, a family with little money, and a strong desire to help. Growing up, I had a knack for tinkering with computers and designing. In the late '90s, I was playing with Photoshop at a friend's house, and before long, I was building websites for family and friends. At first, it was just for fun. I had no idea this passion could one day lead to a career, let alone a life where I could support my family while being my boss.
But as I kept at it, I started to notice something: I loved creating value for others. Helping someone establish their online presence gave me a sense of pride and fulfilment. Back then, I didn't charge much—sometimes nothing—but those early experiences planted the seed of my calling.
Discovering SEO: A Rabbit Hole Worth Exploring
After building a few websites, I kept hearing the same question: "This looks great, but how do we get more traffic?" Honestly, I didn't know at first. But being naturally curious, I dove headfirst into learning how Google works. Back then, there were no clear guidelines—just forums and endless trial and error. I started experimenting with my websites, testing what worked and what didn't.
It wasn't always smooth sailing. Some of my sites ranked; most didn't. But every failure taught me something valuable. I learned that niching down was key. Instead of trying to rank for broad, competitive keywords like "injury lawyer," I focused on smaller, more targeted phrases like "injury lawyer in Melbourne suburbs." It was less glamorous but far more achievable, giving me the confidence to keep going.
The Power of Owning Your Assets
One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the years is the importance of owning your digital assets. For me, websites are like digital real estate. Each one has the potential to generate traffic, inquiries, and revenue. Just like a physical property appreciates over time, a well-maintained website becomes more valuable as it grows its audience.
Building my portfolio of websites has been one of the smartest things I've done. Some sites generate leads I rent out to businesses, others earn through affiliate commissions, and some are sold for profit. This approach has given me financial security and freedom I never thought possible. And the best part? It's scalable. Whether you're managing one site or one hundred, the process remains the same.
The Agency Model: Finding Joy in Helping Others
Running a digital marketing agency has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. I love the relationships I've built with clients and the sense of accomplishment from delivering results. There's nothing like the excitement of a client landing their first big lead through a campaign you've built together. But it's also deeply personal for me. Every project feels like my own, and I pour my heart into ensuring my clients succeed.
For those thinking about starting an agency, my advice is to find your niche. Specialize in one industry—be it dentists, arborists, or accountants—and master the nuances of that market. This will simplify the process and allow you to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
Delayed Gratification: The Secret to Success
If there's one thing I've learned from building and ranking websites, patience is essential. The delayed gratification of seeing a site climb the search rankings is both challenging and rewarding. In today's world, where instant results are the norm, committing to a long-term strategy sets you apart.
The good news? The initial steps have never been easier. Tools and AI can help you set up a website, research keywords, and write content. But the hard part—the consistency, the tweaking, the sticking—is where the real magic happens. The rewards are worth it if you're willing to play the long game.
Why I Do This
At the heart of it all, my "why" is my family. Everything I do is to create a life where I can be present for my kids, support them, and show them what's possible when you follow your passion. Digital marketing has given me the freedom to do that. It's not just a job—it's a way of life that aligns with my values.
If you're a dad (or mum) looking to break free from the grind and build something meaningful, know it's possible. Start small. Build your first website. Learn the basics of SEO, Google Ads, and Facebook campaigns. Fail, learn, and try again. You can create a life that gives you fulfilment and freedom with time and effort.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I'm grateful for the twists and turns that brought me here. The journey has been incredible, from designing websites on a friend's computer to running multiple digital marketing agencies. And the best part? It's not over. I'm still learning, growing, and finding new ways to help others.
If you're ready to leap, know you don't have to do it alone. There's a whole community of us out here, building, experimenting, and cheering each other on. Let's create a life where we can spend more time with the ones we love, doing work that truly matters.