Freedom, flexibility and running a business

Dominique Ho probably would have laughed if you’d told her in 2016 that she’d be running a thriving digital marketing agency in a few short years. At the time, she had a job she loved, but flexibility wasn’t a thing.

Dominique had gone from three to four to five days, while also helping small businesses with their marketing on weekends, something she loved but which impacted her precious family time.

At the time, Dominique’s daughter was three and in daycare full-time. Every pick-up was a gut punch. She was out of sorts; Dominique missed her terribly and knew something had to change.

One day, something clicked. Dominique walked in the front door and said to her husband, “I’m quitting my job. I’m starting my own agency. I’ll help more businesses and be present for our daughter.” His response? “Go for it, babe!” With that, in 2017, Viewpoint Digital Media was born.

Dominique started solo, working from home or play centres and juggling motherhood. She said yes to everything, burning the candle at both ends.

A year later, Dominique realised she couldn’t do it alone any more, so she hired her first team member. BAS payments and cash flow were overwhelming.

Dominique’s accountant once said “If you’re paying a lot of BAS, you’re doing well!” Dominique can remember thinking “Great, but where’s the money?”

Still, she kept going. She built Viewpoint to create a life that worked for her – and now, for her team.

For a time, stress consumed Dominique; she was mentally and emotionally drained and developed a tremor in her hand.

Moving the Viewpoint team to remote working was a tough decision, but it was the one Dominique needed to make.

It wasn’t just about cost; Dominique needed space to reset, regulate, and find her rhythm again.

Surprisingly, the shift brought the team closer. Now, Viewpoint prioritises daily check-ins and meets three times a month for team-building – something the team rarely did before. Viewpoint Digital Media may be remote, but its team is more connected than ever.

Dominique has learned that communication is key. She used to assume her team could read her mind. They couldn’t.

For Dominique, discovering she was neurodiverse explained a lot: her big-picture thinking, scatterbrained ideas, and struggles with articulating detail. So, Viewpoint built strategies and systems that worked for everyone.

Dominique has also learned that people communicate differently. Some need details, some want the big picture. Some love a pat on the back, others prefer a simple thumbs-up. The more Dominique understands the team, the better she can lead.

Looking ahead, Dominique is excited to grow, to evolve, to keep learning, and to keep building an agency that works for her team and the clients they serve.

To anyone considering starting their own business, she says: “Back yourself. You’ll never be fully ready, but the leap is worth it.”

Head to viewpointdigitalmedia.com.au for more.