About Studio Ray Ray
Hi There, I'm Rhea!
Your Friendly Neighbourhood Web Designer & Business Bestie
You know, for someone whose job it is to write beautiful copy for clients - it's a bit strange that I find it hard to write about myself. Where to begin?
I could start at the beginning, where I'd divulge in my country bumpkin upbringing in the semi-wops of the Nelson/Tasman region, surrounded by family and animals alike.
I could also jump forward to my young adult years, when I flew the nest to Wellington to study my Bachelors at university which sequentially lead me to gain slight addiction to studying (RIP my student loan).
Or perhaps you'd prefer to hear about my adventures in the working world, in which my humble hospitality years unfurled into a life-changing role working for the e-commerce giant, Shopify, where I discovered my calling - raising up small Kiwi businesses!
A Long & Storied Journey - Want To Hear It?
I'm an open book. Keep reading and learn more about the woman behind the computer screen.
Thirst for Knowledge (& Validation)
Straight out of high school I moved to Wellington to study my Bachelor of Communication at Massey University, specialising in Expressive Arts and Journalism.
Academia had a vice grip on my soul, so I later went on to study not one, not two but three additional courses through various polytechs:
- Certificate in Small Business, Open Polytechnic
- Diploma in Creative Marketing, Yoobee College
- Diploma in Writing for Creative Industries, Te Auaha/Whitireia
Who knows, maybe I'll lose the plot and study another one! Five is a good number, ahaha haha hah...
Shopify & The Start of Something Spectacular
As a fresh graduate of a Bachelors, I stumbled across a job listing from an international company I had never heard of, for a role that, honestly, sounded fake as f*#k. So of course I applied for it, and the rest is history.
What do you mean, I get to work from home and get a Macbook and monitor delivered to my door? What do you mean I get to earn a baller salary with a bonus to spend on WFH perks? What do you mean, I get to be a part of an amazingly supportive team of people who I'm still friends with today? A dream come true, though it seriously sounded like a scam.
Spoilers; it wasn't a scam! Shopify is a global e-commerce company with the mantra that anyone can sell online. I joined only the second wave of customer success representatives based in New Zealand, and had the honour of meeting and advising merchants of all industries across the world. I even became a mentor to incoming reps, to show them the ropes and what it meant to help businesses succeed.
But I noticed pretty quickly that there weren't alot of Kiwi's on the platform. That combined with the fact that I was limited to only directing merchants how to fix their own problems, rather than taking the stress away and doing it for them, made me realise that there was a lot more I could be doing for small business owners closer to home.
Goodbyes & New Beginnings
Then, my health went downhill and I reluctantly had to leave Shopify behind.
After a few months of healing and *finding myself*, a family member reached out asking for help with setting up a Shopify site. Then, another's workplace needed assistance with adding new products to theirs. Then another. And another.
During that period, I rediscovered my passion for website design and e-commerce, and it finally dawned on me that, hey, maybe I could help those Kiwi merchants after all!
After years of trial and error, sleepless nights and stupidly juggling shift work, more study and a blooming business, I finally started focusing on Studio Ray Ray (née Rhea DM) full-time. And what a rewarding ride it's been.
Much love to all of my incredible clients and their undying support - literally couldn't have done it without them!
PS: this is my amazing squad & I at the 2019 Shopify NZ Summit - love you guys!
Quick Fire Facts About Moi - Go!
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If I could go anywhere in the world it would be a beach in Southern Europe- pick one.
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I have a chronic condition called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - common, not contagious!
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I have a very eclectic music taste. We're talking Doja Cat to DD Smash!
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I used to loathe the colour pink, and now can't get enough of it!
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I love long walks on the beach with my dog, Billy (pictured), and sometimes my partner, Regan (not pictured).
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I hate smiling in photos but get sad when I can't find any good ones to post.
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I am a Leo Sun, Sagittarius Moon and Taurus Rising. Do with that what you will...
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My favourite flavour is mint... yes above chocolate and yes I'm told it's weird.
Enough About Me
Let's Talk About You!