What a fantastic night — and a very proud moment for Hot Lizard Designs!
On Friday, 20 August 2021, I had the pleasure of attending the Stirling Business Awards at Perth's Optus Stadium, where Hot Lizard Designs was recognised as a finalist in the Digital Pioneer Award category.
It was wonderful to be recognised alongside other innovative Perth businesses, particularly in a category so closely connected to what I do every day.
Stirling Business Awards Finalists and Winners 2021
Celebrating Digital Innovation
The Digital Pioneer Award recognises businesses using digital technology and innovation to improve the way they work, deliver services or create solutions.
For me, technology has always been about making life easier, not more complicated.
When I established Hot Lizard Designs in 2013, I saw the potential for small businesses to have professional, effective websites without needing large budgets, specialist technical knowledge or ongoing dependence on a web developer.
That's one of the reasons I chose to specialise in Squarespace.
I've always believed business owners should have control over their own websites. They should be able to update information, add content and make changes without worrying about complicated coding or unexpected maintenance costs.
My role is to take care of the technical and design work, while making sure clients understand how to use their websites confidently once they're launched.
Being named a Digital Pioneer Finalist was particularly rewarding because this practical, accessible approach to technology has been central to Hot Lizard Designs from the very beginning.
Kati McKeon with the Digital Pioneer award winner John Finnegan and other finalists.
Making Digital Technology Work for Small Businesses
Over the years, I've worked with businesses and organisations across Australia and internationally, each with different goals, challenges and levels of technical confidence.
Some are taking their first steps online. Others have established websites that no longer meet their needs.
Whatever the starting point, my approach is the same: understand the business first, then find the simplest and most effective digital solution.
Technology also makes it possible to work collaboratively with clients wherever they're based. Video consultations, cloud-based project management, online proposals and digital payment systems all help make the website design process more straightforward.
But the technology itself is only part of the picture. What matters most is how it's used to create a better experience for clients and their customers.
And that's what makes my work so enjoyable — finding practical solutions that genuinely make a difference to the businesses I work with.
A Fantastic Evening at Optus Stadium
Of course, the awards weren't all about business and technology!
The Stirling Business Awards brought together an inspiring mix of business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders to celebrate the achievements of local businesses.
Held at the magnificent Optus Stadium, the gala dinner was a great opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, make new connections and hear some wonderful business success stories.
I had the pleasure of spending time with fellow Stirling Business Association members, including Vice President Dominique Engelter and Nicola Ward.
It was also lovely to meet the evening's MC, 7 News presenter Tim McMillan, and catch up with the other Digital Pioneer finalists, including category winner John Finnegan of Finness Advisory.
Congratulations to John and all the other winners and finalists!
Kati McKeon with Dominique Engelter, Vice President of Stirling Business Association and fellow SBA member Nicola Ward.
Kati pictured with MC for the evening 7 News presenter Tim McMillan
A Little Recognition Goes a Long Way
Running your own business can sometimes feel like a juggling act, especially when you're responsible for everything from client projects to marketing, administration and keeping up with changing technology.
That's why moments like this mean so much.
Being recognised as a finalist among other forward-thinking businesses was a lovely reminder of how far Hot Lizard Designs has come since 2014.
And while awards are always wonderful to receive, the greatest satisfaction still comes from seeing clients launch websites they're proud of, knowing they have the confidence and tools to manage them going forward.
A big thank you to the Stirling Business Association, the award sponsors and everyone involved in organising such a memorable evening.
Here's to continuing to embrace technology, support small businesses and make the digital world a little less complicated!
For more on the evening and the award winners, you can read PerthNow's coverage of the 2021 Stirling Business Awards.
Hot Lizard Designs is an independent Squarespace website design business established in Perth in 2014 by Kati McKeon. Combining website design expertise with an extensive background in business management and marketing, Kati works directly with businesses across Australia and internationally.