Until last summer, designing websites was a side hustle for 16-year-old Flynn Blackie. "In June 2019, I made one of the biggest decisions I’ve had to make: do I leave school and go full-time and or do I keep doing this on the side?" He chose to leave the classroom behind. Instead, he’s learning about the world of business first-hand: marketing, design, cashflow, time management, portfolios, email follow ups - the list goes on.
Since the outbreak of coronavirus, he’s created a specific resource for small businesses in need of fast support. "I’m building websites for businesses and turning them around in as little as seven days so that they can stay connected to their customers. I’m adding member-only chat rooms and forums to the websites and online class platforms so that businesses can continue to communicate with customers and offer their services online," he explains. "Everywhere you look someone’s business is affected, like myself. I want to use this period to help prepare businesses for the inevitable comeback and motivate people to keep positive, be resilient and come back stronger."
Flynn’s company is called MOD digital. With his new resource, he’s been updating the websites of existing clients and taking on work from new businesses looking to increase or establish their digital presence. Clients include a gym, hairdresser, chauffeur business, an alarm provider and a yacht charter business.