See how Kim & Nick turned their learning journey into a thriving digital business, proving it’s never too late to start something new…

Imagine retiring from your career, traveling Australia in a caravan, and then discovering a whole new way to build wealth through digital skills you never knew you had. That’s exactly what happened when Kim, a former gymnastics coach, met Nick, an ex-chef turned transport manager, in an outback mining town.

Together, they transformed their combined inexperience into a remarkable success story, generating over $75,000 in their first year while other newcomers were still finding their feet. Their journey shows how determination and the right guidance can turn digital newcomers into successful website owners.

In this interview, you’ll discover:

• How they landed their first major client in rural Australia, turning a sponsorship deal into a springboard for premium projects worth up to $12,000
• Their unique strategy for building a thriving digital agency by focusing on underserved rural markets
• Why staying committed through the steep learning curve ultimately led to consistent monthly income

What makes their story truly inspiring? Kim and Nick prove that with the right mindset, even complete beginners can build a profitable digital business while maintaining the lifestyle they love. They’ve created a model that combines their passion for rural Australia with the freedom of working remotely, all while generating steady income.

Want to know how they achieved this while juggling full-time work and life on the road? Keep reading to discover the strategies that helped them turn what should have been just a learning year into a remarkable earning journey or watch their full interview below.

Imagine starting from scratch, with no digital experience, and hitting $75K in your first year. That’s exactly what Kim and Nick achieved, turning what was supposed to be a “learning year” into an impressive earning journey.

Their story proves what’s possible when you commit to learning new skills, even when starting from zero. But what makes their success truly inspiring isn’t just the numbers – it’s how they transformed a period of career uncertainty into a thriving digital business while juggling full-time jobs and life on the road.

How a Chance Meeting Led to Digital Success

Their journey began with an unlikely encounter. Kim, a former gymnastics coach turned remote worker, was traveling Australia in her caravan, picking up contract work in outback communities. Nick, with his background in hospitality and transport management, was stationed at a mining town for a work assignment. Through a dating app, they discovered they were staying at the same hotel in Chinchilla, a small town four hours west of Brisbane.

“We were actually staying in the same hotel at the same time communicating, but didn’t even realize we were at the same location,” Nick recalls with a laugh. This chance meeting would become the catalyst for their digital transformation.

Kim had already dipped her toes into the digital world, having built a basic website for her former gymnastics business and maintaining a travel blog. But it was during Nick’s long service leave that their journey into digital entrepreneurship truly began.

“About four weeks into his wonderful holiday, I kept coming home from my data entry day job and he would be right on top of me wanting to tell me all about what he watched on the Food Channel that day,” Kim shares. “I highly suggested he use his brain during the day and watch some of the digital training videos I had in my arsenal.”

Taking Their First Steps in the Digital World

Rather than rushing in, Kim and Nick took a methodical approach to building their digital skills. Nick, despite having no previous technical experience, threw himself into learning website development. What started as a way to keep busy during leave turned into a passionate pursuit.

Their first major project came through an unexpected connection – the Roma Show Society, a significant agricultural event in outback Queensland. This 47-page website, though done as a sponsorship deal, proved to be their baptism by fire.

It was a very big learning curve, it took a lot of time and a lot of phone calls with the coaches. But once that went live, we realized that yes, we are a digital agency now and we can go out and get more work.

Finding Their Niche in Rural Markets

What sets Kim and Nick’s approach apart is their focus on rural and regional businesses. While many digital agencies concentrate on urban markets, they recognized an untapped opportunity in outback communities. Their understanding of rural culture and willingness to travel to remote locations gives them a distinct advantage.

A lot of businesses rely on social media for their presence, so they don’t necessarily understand the importance of a website, it’s about educating them that yes, socials are good, but you need that digital footprint as well.

Their success in rural markets comes from understanding the importance of face-to-face relationships in country communities. As Kim notes, “It’s relationships at the end of the day. We can stay in contact with them relatively easily because it’s that smaller community.”

Building a Sustainable Business Model

Within their first year, Kim and Nick achieved remarkable results:

• Built their first recurring revenue stream of $3,000-$5,000 monthly from maintenance packages
• Progressed from free websites to securing a $12,000 project
• Generated $75,000 in total revenue while still learning

The key to their success was maintaining stability while growing their business. Kim negotiated a part-time, work-from-home arrangement with her oil and gas industry employer, while Nick focused full-time on their agency. This balanced approach allowed them to develop their business without taking unnecessary risks.

Lessons Learned from Their Journey

For others looking to follow a similar path, Kim and Nick emphasize several key factors:

1. The Importance of Staying the Course

“A lot of people come into the program with the mindset of doing portfolio websites,” Nick reflects. “But starting with a digital agency really helped build confidence. I wouldn’t have been able to do this podcast 12 months ago.”

2. The Value of Partnership

Working as a couple brought both challenges and advantages. “My concern at the beginning was that we would potentially not work well together,” Kim admits. “We hit our moments, of course. But it’s about negotiation and working out where things are going to sit.”

3. The Power of Community Support

They credit much of their success to having access to experienced coaches and mentors. “You guys are always there, willing to help us figure things out,” Kim shares. “That’s just a phenomenal part of the program that we weren’t expecting.”

Looking to the Future

Now, with their business growing steadily, Kim and Nick have created a lifestyle that allows them to combine work with travel, visiting family in Melbourne and maintaining their rural client base. Their success demonstrates how digital skills can transform careers and create new opportunities, particularly for those willing to look beyond traditional urban markets.

For anyone considering a similar journey, their story shows that with the right approach, support, and dedication, it’s possible to build a successful digital business – even when starting from scratch. The key is to stay committed to learning, be willing to start small, and recognize opportunities in unexpected places.