Although she built her first website in 1997, Rebecca Bollwitt has been blogging about life in BC since 2004 on Miss604.com, and podcasting since 2005. From working professionally in online media (including corporate webcasting and news dissemination) for the last 11 years to co-founded sixty4media, a WordPress website development firm and co-authoring a book, Blogging to Drive Business, read all about Rebecca’s inner workings in today’s YED…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I am the Co-Founder of a WordPress website development firm, sixty4media.com as well as the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Miss604.com.
Why did you start your company? What was the inspiration for this route?
I have been working in the online media realm since 1999 and I started blogging in 2004. In 2008, I decided it was time to do two things: Turn Miss604.com into a full-time venture and start my own business building websites using the technology that I love.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
I love sitting at my computer and either writing PHP code all day or writing blog posts that contain community information, local history, and interviews. Vancouver is my passion and I get to share my knowledge (and learn new things) every day. In the same vein, I love building websites and providing my clients with the latest, easy-to-use tools to make their business shine.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I will still be working for myself and writing about my community, wherever my community might be.
What does success look like to you?
Success is helping others discover how they can share their passion, supporting your community, and being able to do what I love each and every day.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
In 1997 I built my first website in honor of my favourite band at the time. In 2008, I interviewed them at the Commodore in Vancouver and it seemed my online life had come full circle. It was a milestone for me just to see how far I had come from being a high school student ‘tinkering on the internet’ to being a resource for my city – and being able to meet the band that made me take the leap and start publishing on the internet. What is also memorable for me is when I first realized that blogging can benefit the community. In 2007 I hosted a “Blogathon” in Vancouver and in 2008 set a 1-day fundraising record for the Union Gospel Mission. Seeing how simple it was to give back made me commit to those types of efforts ever-since.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Do what makes you happy. I wouldn’t be able to blog 3-5 times a day if I wasn’t in love with my subject matter. I wouldn’t be able to code every day if I wasn’t dedicated to building the best for my clients. Also, start a blog for your business right away. It will take you 3 minutes to sign up and start writing. Just write about your industry, what you want to do, what you like, what interests you. You’ll begin building an online footprint and even discover a little more about yourself and your own professional goals.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I support the Union Gospel Mission in Metro Vancouver, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (and Surrey Food Bank, which is in my hometown), and I publish a free event listing every month that features dozens of community fundraisers. Over the last 5 years Miss604.com events have raised over $35,000 for local non-profits. I have also been the Vancouver Twestival organizer since it began in 2009 and I am a member of the Red Cross Canada’s Twitter Team, working with others to get the most up-to-date and effective information out to the masses on a global scale.
What to you is notable?
What makes one person Notable is how they make others Notable. Lift someone up, show appreciation, and showcase the good work you see them doing – especially if they helped you along your path. You need to be the person that recognizes that in others.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone