Starting My Own Business: The Journey Behind SK Design Media
Introduction
Starting SK Design Media was not something that happened overnight. My journey into business started long before websites, digital marketing and branding. Growing up in Africa, I was introduced to petty trading at a young age, selling drinks and ice water on the streets while learning the value of hard work, consistency and communication with people. Those early experiences shaped my mindset and taught me important lessons about business, resilience and survival. After moving to the UK, my path continued through education, self-development and exploring different opportunities before eventually discovering the world of digital marketing and website design. Like many entrepreneurs, the journey was filled with challenges, learning curves and moments of uncertainty, but over time I realised I had a strong passion for helping businesses build a professional online presence. That passion eventually led to the creation of SK Design Media, a business focused on strategic website design, digital support and helping professionals position themselves confidently online.
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.
Graduate of the 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. During my studies, I also had the opportunity to work as a steward at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which later enabled me to complete my SIA security training and obtain my security licence to work within the security industry.
After graduating, I initially hoped to pursue a career in Human Resources. However, due to personal responsibilities and life circumstances, things did not go as planned. As a result, I continued building my career within the security sector, working with some of the UK’s leading security companies while gaining valuable experience in professionalism, communication, customer service and working in high-pressure environments.
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 London-based web design agency focused on helping service-based businesses, consultants, and organisations build professional, high-performing websites. We specialise in strategic WordPress website design, combining clear structure, user experience, and conversion-focused thinking to create websites that not only look professional but also support real business growth. Each project is approached with a strong focus on clarity, ensuring clients are able to communicate their message effectively and attract the right audience.
SK Design Media is a creative digital company founded by Sally Kamara, a London-based strategic website consultant and digital creative professional. The company was created to support businesses, organisations, and entrepreneurs with professional online solutions that help strengthen their digital presence and brand visibility. Today, SK Design Media primarily serves as the company behind Sally Kamara’s growing personal brand and digital work. Through a combination of website strategy, creative design, and digital support, the focus is on helping clients build a strong and professional online foundation.
After resigning from my customer service job, I travelled to Sierra Leone to visit my sick mother—my first time visiting the country 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 towards the end of 2023.
Returning to Security Work
Due to financial struggles and personal responsibilities, I returned to security work to support myself financially, cover business expenses, and rebuild stability in my life. During this period, I also used my earnings to redecorate my flat and travel to Africa in 2024 to see my mother again after a long time.
However, my experience within the security industry eventually became very challenging. In March 2025, I stopped working for the company after facing discrimination in the workplace, which had a significant impact on my wellbeing and mental health. As a result, I went on long-term sick leave, and this period became a turning point in my life and career journey.
Despite the difficulties, the experience pushed me to reflect deeply on my future and the direction I truly wanted to take. I realised that traditional employment was no longer the environment where I felt fulfilled, valued, or able to grow into the person I wanted to become.
At the same time, I continued developing my creative and digital skills by enrolling in a Creative Media Production course at college, alongside investing in self-development and professional training. These experiences helped me reposition myself, refine my services, and gain more clarity and confidence in the vision for SK Design Media.
After completing my Creative Media Production course, my focus is now on running and growing SK Design Media full-time. My long-term goal is to fully dedicate myself to my business, continue building my brand, and pursue my passion as a businesswoman, creative professional, and strategic website consultant.
Today, I remain committed to building a successful business that creates opportunities, supports organisations and entrepreneurs, and reflects the resilience, growth, and determination that shaped my journey.
Future Goals for SK Design Media
My long-term vision for SK Design Media is to build a strong, respected, and impactful digital brand that continues to grow both locally and internationally. My future goals include:
- Running SK Design Media as a full-time business.
- Growing the company into a reputable and successful digital brand.
- Continuing to invest in training and professional development to strengthen my skills and expertise.
- Expanding my services, marketing strategies, and online presence.
- Building a team and hiring employees to support business growth and operations.
- Establishing a professional office space for the company.
- Offering website design training, mentorship, and digital skills support to aspiring creatives and entrepreneurs.
- Gaining recognition for my work and contributions within both the UK and Sierra Leone.
- Creating opportunities that empower businesses, organisations, and individuals through professional digital solutions.
I am confident that with hard work, perseverance, and determination, I will achieve my goals.
Conclusion
Starting SK Design Media has been a journey filled with learning experiences, challenges, growth and determination. Like many business owners starting from the beginning, there were moments of uncertainty, mistakes and obstacles along the way. However, every challenge helped build more knowledge, confidence and understanding of what it truly takes to grow a business in the digital space.
Building a business is not something that happens overnight. It requires patience, consistency, continuous learning and the willingness to adapt as industries evolve. Through web design, digital marketing and online branding, SK Design Media was created with the aim of helping businesses build a stronger and more professional online presence while also creating opportunities for long-term growth.
Looking back, the journey has not only been about creating websites but also about developing skills, building relationships, improving confidence and creating a platform that continues to grow with experience. While there is still a long way to go, the lessons learned throughout the process have been valuable and continue to shape the future direction of the business.
For anyone thinking about starting their own business, the most important step is simply starting. Growth comes with time, experience and consistency. Every successful business begins somewhere, and each stage of the journey plays a role in building something meaningful over time.
Need help attracting clients through your website
Looking for a professional website or support with your online presence? Sally Kamara helps businesses, consultants, charities and service providers create strategic websites that improve visibility, credibility and long-term growth.
Work with me:
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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.
