Perfect Circle, Entrepreneur of the month!

Posted: 06 September 2010 In: Perfect Circle News

We are proud to introduce you to your Money’s first Entrepreneur of the month, Damian Giulietti, founder of Perfect Circle, a graphic design and program Development Company based in Central, Port Elizabeth.

Many people know him simply as Damian Giulietti, but those in the inner circle call him the chief imagination officer, founder of Perfect Circle and one of Port Elizabeth’s up and coming web designers.

Within the first three years of operation, Damian managed to secure the business of big corporate names like Coca-Cola, Nedbank, Oakley and the Lion Roars guest lodges. One of his first clients was Spec-Savers Iron Man, for which his company developed a project-management application, whereby all their tasks can be viewed and edited by their employees. Basically an in-house self managed program, by which any employee can view deadlines and add new projects.

As with most business men, success did not come easily or over night for Damian. It required hard work, determination and most of all, resilience for him to realise his goal.

“You have to know your market, find a niche and build on that. But most of all, you have to keep on believing in yourself and your business.”
In 2007, opportunity came knocking on Damian’s door, whilst he was working as a program developer at the Hybrid development company.
During the day he would be a program developer, but at night his natural flair for graphic design would surface and he would design logos and websites for his family and friends.

“The two aspects normally don’t match well, so I thought; ‘Hey why don’t I combine these two services and create something completely different’. That is how I came upon Perfect Circle. It’s total synergy between development and design, a complete service package. Plus, it is said whoever can draw a perfect circle is either a genius or insane, I liked that.”

Insane was exactly what Damian was called when he announced his participation in the 2010 Spec Savers Iron Man competition. But after finishing the gruelling race in 14 and half hours, and a total weight loss of 35 kg, he stepped out as the victor.
“It was intense man, that’s all I can say. But a lot of the credit has to go to my awesome girlfriend, Chantell (Gerber) who kept on motivating me. Taking part in such a big challenge really does something for oneself; you establish a sense of achievement. We are definitely doing it again next year.” But while the training is on the back burner for now, Damian gets on with his business.

Some of the products and services that Perfect Circle offer range from world class websites, Flash games and websites, to Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and hosting, to name but a few.

Damian’s passion for his work shone through while explaining Web 2.0:
“It’s a more in-depth form of website design. The characters become more tangible, like real life. The term “Web 2.0” is commonly associated with web applications that facilitate interactive information sharing, interoperability and user-centred design. A Web 2.0 site allows its users to interact with each other as contributors to the website’s content."

As we discuss websites he seems very proud to show his own. The reason: it was only created a month ago. “Like the saying goes: a shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot. Now my son has shoes.” Damian‘s became so busy with other people’s websites and work during that period, that he had insufficient time in which to deal with the rapidly growing business, let alone time in which to develop his website. He felt the need to bring in an extra set of hands to keep up with the rapidly increasing work load and thus contacted his friend (and now partner), James Thompson (29).

James, whose job title reads ‘Lead Ninja Code Monkey’ (more commonly known as a Lead Developer), received the call two and half years ago, while working in the UK.
“Needless to say I was very excited at having the opportunity to work with Damian. Working for oneself is very liberating in the sense that you have the freedom to explore new avenues and opportunities, without having to play by someone else’s rules. And of course the fact that we work so well together is just an added bonus!”
Steven Eksteen (26) the latest addition to Perfect Circle, started in February of this year as a junior developer, affectionately referred to as the Padawan (Jedi apprentice).

“Here I get really intense training from either the ninja or the chief imagination officer, Damian that is. In other companies I would have become the Jack of all trades, but master of none. That is not the case here, since I’m able to focus my energies in the direction that I choose.” The Perfect Circle has achieved a 100% turnover increase since being in operation in 2007.

Their challenge lies in expanding their products, while at the same time intensifying their services to existing clients. Their aim is to emerge from a small to a medium sized business within ten years, and to recruit a new employee every year.

“My only advice to future entrepreneurs would be to not chase the money at the expense of your passion. It’s a fine balancing act. One must be disciplined and adhere to strict deadlines, your own and your customers. Being able to deal with people and challenging your own potential is also very important, both in business and in life.”