Interview With Tony Chester of OnWired

Tony: Here’s a little something about me: I can’t focus worth jack! While attempting to answer your interview questions, I find myself jumping from question one to six to four and back to one again, all while reading Fast Company, replying on Facebook, and tweeting (or “twittering” for the other side of the fence).

Aside from my ability to multitask, I’m the owner of OnWired, a full service graphic design, web development, and online marketing firm located in central North Carolina. Our goal is to create beautiful, powerful websites that promote strong brand messages and attract the right kinds of visitors for our clients.

Tony: Well, the MailChimp theft was a fun way to get some attention. I don’t think our clients know much of it, but it did get us more recognition amongst our community of peers (not that I recommend someone running out and snagging the Bronto mascot or anything). We’ve also been fortunate to have been included in The Smashing Book, Web Designer Magazine, a ton of web design showcase galleries, and a few blog interviews. (@John Onolan, @Six Revisions, @Expression Engine, @Lulu Blog)

I really believe the entire image we present to our clients is enticing, from the humor we present in our content to the polished design Jon Norris crafted for our site to the experience of going through the sales process with us. We are sticklers for good, clean, usable design. This shows through to our clients and instills a trust that we will do the same for them.

Tony: That’s quite an interesting find. I have to say that I’m extremely satisfied with my decision to stick with this and see it through. There were many a time I wanted to tuck tail and run, but I fought through it. Not everyone is cut out for the corporate world; I really only spent about 5 or 6 years in it myself. Once I was out of it, boy, what a breath of fresh air. Office politics and brown nosing? No thank you — not for me.

Would I have done anything differently? Yes — I would have read more about running a business and not just winging it (as I often do). At the time though, I was so focused on building my brand and helping my clients that there wasn’t really much time for anything else. Only when I began partnering with other folks did I realize I don’t need to do ALL of the work. Other people do certain things better than me, so I brought them on board.

Tony: My time management lessons were to work whenever I could. As soon as the day was over at the corporate job, it was home and working for myself. I’m sure my wife can pitch in here. It really was a strain on our family time, but it’s been a great sacrifice to date.

Oh, and lunches were pretty rare. I spent most of my hour working at a coffee shop, catching up on emails and phone calls with clients.

Tony: Well, the intent of those sites was not geared towards clients. We saw a few needs within our community and thought “see a need, fill a need.”

I don’t think it’s helped us to get any more clients but it does help spread our name within our own community of web folks. It’s nice to give my fellow netizens tools they can possibly use. I love when I’m talking with someone and they suddenly realize we run FooterFetish.com or PleaseCritiqueMe.com.

Tony: My family and client work keeps me motivated, the ever changing climate of web design and development keeps me inspired, and just keeping my ears open for ideas keeps us innovative. We’ve attended some really good conferences over the last couple years. Not your typical FOWA or An Event Apart (although we’ve been there too) but The 99 Percent conference and SEED were absolutely wonderful to attend. Getting outside of the typical web conference circuit was a great move.

I also do lots of reading. I prefer to read an actual book or magazine; blogs give the opportunity to click, and away I go. My magazines consist of Fast Company, Inc., Wired, and Web Designer Magazine. Gary V’s Crush It is splitting time with The E Myth Revisited. They are two highly different books really, but very informative.

Tony: Have passion and let that passion show. There are plenty of free sites available now days to showcase your talent, from Envato’s FreelanceSwitch.com to Krop.com to Sortfolio.com and even Flickr — take advantage of them.

Know your limitations and know when to look for help. Hire people that are better or smarter than you. Remember: just because you are very good at doing something doesn’t mean you are good at doing everything.