KERRY VEITCH, CO-FOUNDER, REVEELA.COM
Super organised Kerry Veitch is the Co-founder of Reveela.com, a cutting-edge technology solutions provider for media industries worldwide. Her story of resilience, embracing innovation and having the foresight to see beyond what is currently possible is just part of what makes her the inspirational entrepreneur we see before us today.
There's not much this visionary leader hasn't encountered on her journey, and, with the world of tech moving at lightning speed, undoubtedly, there's much more to come, yet sharing her story over a coffee feels like talking to a friend, she's thoughtful, honest and vibrant as we discuss navigating the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. It's safe to say I liked her immediately. Over to you Kerry...
SO, KERRY, WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
After completing my university degree, I ventured into the world of operations management. My organisation skills and thirst for knowledge paved the way for my success in this field, and I steadily climbed the corporate ladder. My positions were primarily in male-dominated environments, and I faced my fair share of challenges. At times it was like entering a jungle without a map.
In 2015, I reached a point where my job no longer provided the intellectual stimulation I craved. I was no longer evolving or making a difference. Around the same time, I encountered personal struggles culminating in the devastating loss of my mother. This forced me to re-evaluate my priorities and reassess my career path. Luckily, an opportunity for voluntary redundancy came up at work, which gave me the push I needed to make a bold move. Despite not having a concrete plan, I took a leap of faith and left my job. The thought of being a single homeowner with no job prospects was slightly terrifying, but everything happens for a reason, right? Then, my close friend and co-founder, John, approached me with his idea for a new cutting-edge technology platform to transform the publishing sector.
I must be honest my initial reaction was, is he mad?! This had never been done before, and neither of us had any technical experience, but I love a good challenge and decided to go for it, and together, we founded Reveela.
Reveela helps small businesses get their message out to potential customers on a budget. With our innovative technology, they can reach relevant audiences with ease. With sheer determination and a thirst for knowledge, I enrolled in various online programming courses and taught myself the foundations of coding. Although I am unlikely to become a master coder, I now have a solid understanding of the technical side of programming. I’m immensely proud of our business and what we have created. If I could give any advice, it would be to take risks and pursue your passions even if it means transitioning from a comfy corporate job to tech entrepreneurship!
Success is all about learning and being open to new opportunities.
THE TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING INDUSTRY HAS UNDERGONE MASSIVE CHANGE OVER THE YEARS WITH THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS. HOW WELL DO YOU THINK BUSINESSES HAVE ADAPTED, AND WHAT COULD THEY DO BETTER?
The changing landscape has forced publishers to adapt and adopt new strategies to stay competitive. While some have successfully pivoted, others face challenges due to a lack of technical skills or budget. Some could do better in engaging readers and leveraging technology to build their brand and reach a wider audience. The rise of social media influencers has spotlighted the importance of engaging with readers more authentically and meaningfully. Publishers must continue to embrace new technology to expand their audience or explore new opportunities to generate revenue to secure their future and grow their businesses.
YOU'VE WORKED AT A HIGH LEVEL IN SOME HEAVILY MALE-DOMINATED SECTORS. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?
Being a woman in a man's world has its challenges, but id like to think I've thrived and shown what I'm made of! Making my voice heard hasn't always been easy, but it hasn't held me back either. I had to learn to adapt quickly and earn the respect of my male colleagues by proving my worth. Some have been surprised by my assertiveness, but it's simply because I'm incredibly passionate about what I do. In fact, I've genuinely loved working in a male-dominated environment, building strong and lifelong connections along the way.
YOU ARE NOW CO-FOUNDER OF A CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM SET TO REVOLUTIONISE AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY. YOU'VE NOT ONLY HAD TO LEARN NEW THINGS BUT TO BE PART OF CREATING SOMETHING ENTIRELY NEW AND NEVER SEEN BEFORE. WHAT'S THAT JOURNEY BEEN LIKE?
It's been a rollercoaster experience that challenges you every single day, with extreme highs and lows, and it's taught me a lot about myself, life and business. Reid Hoffman said, "I believe starting a company is like jumping off a cliff and assembling a plane on the way down" I truly understand what that means since starting Reveela. It's not for the faint-hearted!
YOU'RE A WOMAN AFTER MY OWN HEART WITH SOLID PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES CENTRAL TO YOUR SUCCESS AS CO-FOUNDER OF REVEELA. HOW DO YOU STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN LOGIC AND CREATIVITY IN SUCH AN INNOVATIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT?
I think when creativity and process come together, something magical happens! Ideas from staff are welcomed and encouraged, no matter how madcap; that way, we don't miss out on any brilliant team contributions. Procedures help turn those visions and ideas into reality and help me tame the chaos that can come with being creative. With clear procedures, I can stay organised and keep our projects on track.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE CRITICISM?
Criticism can be tough to take; if I'm honest, I can initially feel a little defensive. I try to use it as an opportunity to learn and grow, evaluate the feedback, and then work towards improving myself. I think it's important not to let it discourage you. Use it constructively.
WITH SO MANY SOCIAL PLATFORMS AND DIGITAL MEDIA OUTLETS AVAILABLE, IT CAN FEEL ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHERE OR HOW TO PLACE INFORMATION AND MAKE ANY SORT OF IMPACT, ESPECIALLY WHEN, IN MANY CASES, BUSINESS OWNERS ARE DOING IT ALL THEMSELVES. HOW CAN REVEELA HELP SMALL BUSINESSES?
Reveela will assist small businesses in getting their content to the right audiences with ease. It eliminates the need to search for contacts or aimlessly download random media lists, hoping for coverage. Its innovative AI automatically locates journalists, publications, and influencers in real-time based on the relevance of your content, saving businesses valuable time and resources.
The sentiment Analysis feature guides the creation of impactful content, and our advanced reporting metrics provide detailed insights on audience engagement and content tracking, helping refine marketing strategies and achieve maximum impact. It's perfect for businesses without big marketing budgets or technical experience.
WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND DIFFICULT ON YOUR JOURNEY, AND WHAT WOULD YOU AVOID IF YOU COULD DO IT ALL AGAIN?
I hadn't anticipated how emotional the journey would be. One minute you feel invincible; the next, you feel totally defeated. You have to learn to be resilient and fast. Every obstacle possible has been thrown in our way. We've faced the uncertainties of Brexit, a global pandemic and a recession, but we've survived! We soon realised that what we set out to achieve was way bigger than we had initially anticipated. If I could do it all again, I would dream big and start small, breaking the platform development into smaller, more manageable milestones rather than one large project.
WHAT'S YOUR TOP TIP FOR OTHER ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS OWNERS READING THIS ARTICLE?
Expect the unexpected and believe in yourself, even when others around you don't.
THERE IS STILL A MASSIVE VOID BETWEEN LARGE CORPORATIONS WITH THE RESOURCES AND BUDGET TO REACH SPECIFIC TARGETED AUDIENCES AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS UTILISING SOCIAL MEDIA AND BUILDING WEBSITES TO SELL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. WHAT DO YOU FORESEE THE IMPACT OF EMBRACING THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY WILL BE ON THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE?
The main impact of embracing new technology like Reveela will mean that content creators will now have the power to access audiences that were once out of reach using earned media and media collaborations. It will assist in increasing a business's credibility and visibility and drive conversions by building trust with potential customers, making people more likely to engage.
Reveela will help to share their message and boost their profile without the need for large budgets or technical skills, making it a game changer for smaller businesses.
WHICH MOTIVATIONAL SONG WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO ADD TO THE FEMALE CEO'S #GIRLBOSS PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY FOR YOU?
The Comeback – Danny Gokey
IF YOU COULD ASK ANYONE IN THE WORLD ONE QUESTION, WHO WOULD IT BE, AND WHAT WOULD YOU ASK?
I would ask Brian Chesky, founder of Airbnb, how he gained market share in a highly competitive industry with a disruptive product, no technical experience and a limited budget.
DO YOU HAVE A BOOK OR FAVOURITE PODCAST RECOMMENDATION FOR OUR FEMALE CEO READERS?
It would have to be "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" by Mitch Albom – It teaches important life lessons and demonstrates that we have the power to make positive changes that bring happiness and fulfilment.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE?
My cat will have more space in bed than me tonight :-)
AS A TEAM OF PASSIONATE CHANGE-MAKERS, WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE WHEN IT COMES TO ENCOURAGING SMALL BUSINESSES TO EMBRACE INNOVATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGY?
Technology can undoubtedly be intimidating, but being afraid of it may prevent you from achieving progress and success in your business. Technology can enhance your business and take it to the next level. Moving with the times and utilising what's available is key.
Embracing change and implementing new systems, software, or processes can help streamline and optimise your operations, boost productivity, and improve customer experience. My advice would be don't let fear hold you back. Explore new technologies and see how they can benefit your business. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results!
HOW WOULD YOUR BEST FRIEND DESCRIBE YOU?
Reliable, kindhearted and fiercely independent.
WHAT MAKES YOU TRULY HAPPY?
The simple things in life, family, friends, love and laughter. Yes, lots of money is nice and makes things easier, but you can't buy health or happiness. You only get one life, so live it wisely and appreciate the small things.
If you would like to know more about Kerry or Reveela you can find out more here or catch up with them on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
