‘Ain't that the truth sister! There have been times in my life when I've searched for the constant, willed it, demanded it even. But they have been few and far between. And in those times I've felt stretched, and challenged and stuck in a size too small kind of a way.
The first time I recognised just how powerful embracing change could be (and how much I loved it) was when I stopped dying my hair and decided that ageing was ok. Seriously! It was a moment in time, and the joy I felt from the physical change was real!
In 2019, when Covid shut down Australia, I was one of many many employees stood down. Suddenly I was faced with a change that I didn’t like one little bit. So I threw an adult-sized tantrum, and quit.
Within a week I had started a business called Edgar & Rose taking on any kind of work I could find. I had a clear mission to change the way work is done. To break the rules, to work with people not for them. To stay true to my values of community, integrity and kindness.
Career change is not new to me. I have built websites, created strategies, managed calendars, written content, designed posters, given training – a small variety of skills gathered over 30 years of changing course.
Within six months I had one employee and we agreed, as we navigated the startup nature of working from home and cafes, that we needed to change. We re-launched ourselves as Studio Veld, web design and development. Simple. Yes. But not really.
So I looked into getting a co-working space but it turns out I need music and laughter and lots of spontaneous collaborative conversation. After 9 months of cafe hopping, I leased a studio space of our own with no small thanks to Renew Adelaide.
In 2022, we did a massive rebrand. Embracing what we REALLY love doing – cool stuff together. With the absolute emphasis on together. The pink octopus is now our calling card and we’ve had the opportunity to build so much cool stuff together with some fabulous clients.
Now, at the beginning of 2025 we have five staff and it is time – yes it is – to change again. We’ve moved from our much loved office on Frome Street to a slightly more sophisticated and spacious office at Level 1, 80 Pirie Street.
The number of sleepless nights I have is significant. I worry about pretty much everything and I take the responsibility I now have to my staff and my clients incredibly seriously. I have not yet learnt the art of controlling unreasonable anxiety when it sends my amygdala into chaos at 2am. But I never worry about change.
So it gives me SUCH joy to launch our brand new Studio Veld website.