Imagine being a foreigner in a country where you have no contacts or knowledge of the business laws and how things are done? Imagine being half way through your first pregnancy, refused maternity leave by your employer and being forced to start up a business? This was Debbie O’Connor’s situation when she set up her graphic design studio, white river design, as a part time venture to keep up to date with the design industry while on maternity leave. Looking back now, it was the best thing that could have happened to Debbie and she is grateful to the 'world's worst boss' for making her take such a scarey but life altering step...
white river design is named after the small South African town of White River that Debbie and her three siblings grew up in. The town is only 20 minutes drive from the world famous Kruger National Park and is where many of her family still live. Having moved to Australia after marrying her Australian husband, Debbie felt that this was a little reminder of home that she could have with her everyday. Growing up in a close knit community instilled in Debbie a stong emphasis on family and community values which is core to the way the team does business today.
Since starting white river design, Debbie would see an opportunity and would seize it. Sometimes she got what she was after and other times she didn’t, but this attitude lead her to gaining one high profile client, which in turn began the growth of the business. Debbie worked very hard at nurturing relationships – even if they weren’t her clients. By the time her ‘maternity’ leave was up, she was making a better living (and having the flexible lifestyle) than if she was employed.
By mid 2005 white river design won an award for Outstanding Professional Services and has been winning awards every year since. Debbie had her second child in November 2005, so took on her first employee and has been employing locals ever since.
In 2011 the white river design team moved the business out of the O’Connor home and into premises. The business has steadily grown and now consists of 3 graphic designers, an office manager/bookkeeper, a receptionist and 2 contract web developers.
white river design has adapted the Verne Harnish Gazelle approach to business where the team work off a one page business plan, have regular meetings where they set their goals and theme for the quarter and are then duely rewarded when they meet their targets.
Their 6 core values and beliefs are essential to the way in which the team work and are followed through from within the team through to the client.
1. Life - Work - Balance
Work to live not live to work. Their office is family friendly with policies such as 'drop and run' if a call comes in relating to a child.
2. Think Like a Customer
Treat clients and others in the team in the manner in which you would like to be treated.
3. Take Care of Each Other
Look after clients and team as though they were family.
4. Can Attitude
Nothing is too difficult. 'We can do it and if we can't, we will find some who can'.
5. Under Promise and Over Deliver
6. Always tell the 'kind truth'
Sometimes it's hard to tell a client the truth, but if you are kind and gentle and can show them a solution it builds stronger relationships and trust.
white river design is very exicted to have been part of the rebranding process for the Penrith Is Here brand and the roll out of the concept which was commission by Penrith City Council. The business continues to grow from strength to strength and has become undoubtedly one of Penrith’s leading graphic and web design studios that specialise in branding and corporate identity.
"We invite you to join our design family where we partner with you and your business over the long term, to transform your business through creativity and create designs that you can be proud of".
white river design is named after the small South African town of White River that Debbie and her three siblings grew up in. The town is only 20 minutes drive from the world famous Kruger National Park and is where many of her family still live. Having moved to Australia after marrying her Australian husband, Debbie felt that this was a little reminder of home that she could have with her everyday. Growing up in a close knit community instilled in Debbie a stong emphasis on family and community values which is core to the way the team does business today.
Since starting white river design, Debbie would see an opportunity and would seize it. Sometimes she got what she was after and other times she didn’t, but this attitude lead her to gaining one high profile client, which in turn began the growth of the business. Debbie worked very hard at nurturing relationships – even if they weren’t her clients. By the time her ‘maternity’ leave was up, she was making a better living (and having the flexible lifestyle) than if she was employed.
By mid 2005 white river design won an award for Outstanding Professional Services and has been winning awards every year since. Debbie had her second child in November 2005, so took on her first employee and has been employing locals ever since.
In 2011 the white river design team moved the business out of the O’Connor home and into premises. The business has steadily grown and now consists of 3 graphic designers, an office manager/bookkeeper, a receptionist and 2 contract web developers.
white river design has adapted the Verne Harnish Gazelle approach to business where the team work off a one page business plan, have regular meetings where they set their goals and theme for the quarter and are then duely rewarded when they meet their targets.
Their 6 core values and beliefs are essential to the way in which the team work and are followed through from within the team through to the client.
1. Life - Work - Balance
Work to live not live to work. Their office is family friendly with policies such as 'drop and run' if a call comes in relating to a child.
2. Think Like a Customer
Treat clients and others in the team in the manner in which you would like to be treated.
3. Take Care of Each Other
Look after clients and team as though they were family.
4. Can Attitude
Nothing is too difficult. 'We can do it and if we can't, we will find some who can'.
5. Under Promise and Over Deliver
6. Always tell the 'kind truth'
Sometimes it's hard to tell a client the truth, but if you are kind and gentle and can show them a solution it builds stronger relationships and trust.
white river design is very exicted to have been part of the rebranding process for the Penrith Is Here brand and the roll out of the concept which was commission by Penrith City Council. The business continues to grow from strength to strength and has become undoubtedly one of Penrith’s leading graphic and web design studios that specialise in branding and corporate identity.