Starting My Own Business – SK Design Media
Petty Trading in Africa
I have always seen myself as a business-minded person, even from a young age in Africa. I started with petty trading—hawking ice water and selling drinks on the streets. When I moved to the UK in my teens, I completed my education from secondary school to university while working different jobs. However, my entrepreneurial spirit remained strong, and I was determined to start my own business.
At first, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Personal experiences and toxic relationships led me to develop an interest in blogging and online content. I started researching and learning more about blogging, watching WordPress tutorials on YouTube, and improving my skills in this field.
Blogging Platform – I Rep Salone Media
I launched a blogging platform called I Rep Salone Media, dedicated to promoting Sierra Leoneans and entertainers in the community. My passion for this grew, and I continued to develop my web design skills, creating a website where I posted content and shared it on social media. Over time, I built a massive following, achieved excellent engagement, and won several awards for my work.
University Education – University of East London
I studied at the University of East London (Docklands Campus) and graduated in 2013 with a degree in Business and Business Information Systems. After university, I worked as a security officer. Before that, I had the opportunity to work as a steward at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, which enabled me to complete my SIA security training and obtain a security badge to work in the industry.
Initially, I wanted to pursue a career in Human Resources, but things didn’t go as planned due to personal responsibilities. So, I continued working as a security officer with top security companies in the UK after finishing university.
The Birth of LB Internet Consultancy
Setting up my business was challenging due to personal circumstances, work commitments, and financial constraints. Despite having many business ideas, none seemed strong enough at the time. I started as a blogger and affiliate marketer, making numerous mistakes along the way. However, through extensive research and a steep learning process, I was able to refine my ideas.
To gain more expertise, I attended a three-day training course with Simon Coulson, earning a Diploma in Internet Marketing. Following this, I conducted additional research and decided to name my business LB Internet Consultancy.
Challenges in Setting Up My Business
With a business idea and a name in place, I registered my domain. However, financial struggles were a major setback. I had rent arrears and bills to manage, which made it difficult to fund my business. Since my personal credit history was poor, I couldn’t take out a business loan.
To support my business, I continued working full-time as a security officer while trying to allocate time and resources to grow my company. I also sought assistance from The Prince’s Trust, a charity that helps young entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, I had just turned 31 in July 2017, making me ineligible for their support.
Despite these challenges, I remained determined. I conducted my own research and set up the business with minimal external support. Progress was slow, as I had to finance everything from my personal income, working extra hours to cover business expenses such as promotional materials and office costs.
Rebranding to SK Design Media
By the end of 2019, I had grown tired of my security job. The long hours and low pay were unsustainable, and I wanted a career that aligned with my passion. I found an alternative role as a telephone customer service representative, but it didn’t pay well either, and I struggled to keep up with rent and bills. After facing unfair treatment, I resigned from that job.
Determined to give my business another shot, I sought mentorship and received valuable support from an incredible mentor named Bradley. He pushed me out of my comfort zone in a positive way, helping me make significant improvements in both my business and personal development.
I also decided to rename my business to SK Design Media to better align with the services I was offering. I officially updated the business name at Companies House.
About SK Design Media
SK Design Media is a web design company based in Hackney, East London. In addition to website design, we offer digital marketing, graphic design, and social media management.
Our target audience primarily includes Black and African communities in East London, particularly in Hackney. We focus on supporting start-ups and small businesses by providing high-quality services at affordable rates. Our mission is to help business owners establish a strong online presence without exceeding their budget.
At SK Design Media, we create websites that are not only visually appealing and professional but also strategically designed to convert visitors into customers. Our sites are mobile-friendly and optimized to deliver the best possible results.
Challenges in Running SK Design Media
After resigning from my customer service job, I travelled to Sierra Leone to visit my sick mother—my first time returning after 22 years. The experience was difficult, but it was important for me to see her.
Upon returning to the UK, I focused on growing my business. While I had some clients, it wasn’t enough to sustain me financially. Many customers expected high-quality work but were unwilling to pay what my services were worth. I found myself constantly explaining the value of my work and justifying my prices.
Frustrated, I decided to put the business on hold again and renew my SIA security license to secure a stable job.
Returning to Security Work
Due to financial struggles, I returned to security work, taking on shifts to pay my bills and business expenses. I also used my earnings to redecorate my flat and travel to Africa in 2024 to see my mother again.
Currently, I am working as a security officer while managing my business on the side. However, due to health challenges, I plan to transition into part-time security work so I can dedicate more time to growing SK Design Media.
In the meantime, I am taking training courses for self-development, with the long-term goal of leaving security work completely to run my business full-time.
Future Goals for SK Design Media
My ultimate vision is to:
- Run SK Design Media full-time and grow it into a successful and reputable business.
- Continue taking courses to enhance my skills.
- Expand my services and marketing efforts.
- Hire employees to support my business operations.
- Establish my own office space.
- Offer web design training and mentorship programs.
- Gain recognition for my work in both the UK and Sierra Leone.
I am confident that with hard work, perseverance, and determination, I will achieve my goals.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read my journey. I will continue to update my progress on my website and personal social media pages. Stay connected and follow me, Sally Kamara, on social media.
