As we celebrate Digital Storm’s remarkable 20-year journey, let’s rewind the clock to 2003. Imagine the vibrant coastline of Margaret River, Western Australia, where I captured a moment of tranquillity with a selfie, unaware of the digital adventure that awaited me. But before diving into the digital realm, my path took some unexpected turns.
In 2003, I was amidst a kaleidoscope of experiences. From bustling Jakarta streets, where I spent six spirited months offering investment opportunities to expatriates, to the serene embrace of Australian beaches during a three-week detour on my journey back home.
When I left Jakarta in 2003, I decided to explore my creative passion by taking up painting art as a new career. I embarked on a brief spell as a contemporary artist, creating and selling original large canvas paintings to galleries and interior designers. One of my art pieces even takes pride of place above the bar in a private members club on Bond Street, Mayfair, London.
The universe, as they say, works in mysterious ways. Then, the financial crisis of 2008 hit, causing art commissions to dry up. Faced with a crossroads, I decided to retrain as a web designer in 2009, at the ripe age of 36. It was a leap of faith, guided by the fervent belief that it’s genuinely never too late to pivot your path and chase the dreams that ignite your passion.
Fast forward to 2012, and Digital Storm became my new home, where my journey took an exhilarating turn. By 2014, alongside the indomitable Lesley Simmons and the brilliant Paul, we grasped the reins of the agency. Through the labyrinth of changes and challenges that ensued, we’ve not only sustained but remarkably thrived, expanding this magnificent little agency into what it is today.
Reflecting upon these 20 fruitful years of Digital Storm Limited, my heart swells with pride. Not just for the exceptional work we’ve executed but also for the spirit and resilience that has become synonymous with our name. With ardent hope and undimmed enthusiasm, I look to the horizon, excited for the manifold years of innovative creation and digital exploration that lay ahead. Cheers to the extraordinary journey so far and the boundless adventures yet to come!
Damion Hazael
