We don’t know about you but we like to get to know who we are working with, so we thought we would find out a little more about Rob Mackley, founder of Red Box Web Design. We find out how he grew a business from his living room, to managing a diverse team across Stafford, the UK and as far as the South Africa.
Rob Mackley – The Lowdown
Rob is not averse to reassessing the needs of the business to ensure it grows in line with his original values, business goals and current economy. In fact, he has managed to not only succeed where many small businesses fail but has continually grown and expanded his workforce, all while ensuring his customers and the community are at the forefront of everything he does. His commitment to providing first-rate customer service has been recognised in March 2023 when the Red Box team were chosen as finalists in the FSB West Midlands Service Excellence Awards.
From his school days, Rob has always enjoyed and excelled at design, technology, and helping people. Attending Wolverhampton University, he intended to become a teacher of Design and Technology, but following a slight change in his chosen career path decided to complete his Degree in Design and Technology instead and jump straight into business rather than education.
Never one to sit back and wait for opportunities to find him, he was out learning the skills now second nature to him, from customer service to sales and marketing.
He landed a role that launched his career in digital marketing, where he embraced new challenges such as teaching himself to code websites, including his first big client – Chubb Locks. It was this new skill that led him on the path to becoming a professional web designer, marketer, and eventually to launching his very own business – Red Box.
Wondering ‘why the name Red Box’? you might expect a logical explanation for the name of Rob’s new venture, but it was merely a sign of his expertise in marketing. It was never going to be named Rob Mackley Websites. No, Rob knew if his company was going to stand out and be remembered, it had to be unique. And following debating colour and shape combinations, Red Box was born.
Many Businesses fail in the first year, but not Rob’s, not only was he quitting his paid job, and launching a new business but he had a 2 week old baby to care for too. No plan B is Rob’s motto and it certainly seems to have worked for him with Red Box.
Proud of helping any of his customer’s businesses to achieve their goals, his potentially biggest high-profile client to date is McDonald’s, for who Red Box has designed and support a bespoke piece of software. But every single client is as important to Rob and the team, clients’ success is Red Box’s success and they do everything they can to help their clients achieve that.
Rob’s Charity Work
Giving back is inbuilt into Rob’s personality. He actively supports local charities with website design, maintenance and support. A regular fundraiser for Air Ambulance Help Appeal, in 2022 Rob walked 100 kilometres across the south coast to help raise funds for this worthy cause, a feat not many of us would even consider! No doubt Rob’s passion for fitness with Jujitsu helped him conquer this challenge, with the ability to focus his mind and the stamina and strength from his training (he is not far from his black belt status!) to get through the physical demands of the long and gruelling walk.
The Red Box team are also encouraged to get involved with charities and good causes, with the company working towards 4 sustainability goals, everyone gets involved, which is great to see.
Supporting the Red Box Team
A family man, means work-life balance is a priority and this is obvious within the business with the ongoing ability for all employees to continue to work from home long after Covid 19 restrictions were lifted. The flexibility for staff to work from the new and exciting office space in the Shire Hall Business Centre in the heart of Stafford when they like or need to, or the ability to work from home where ever that may be has meant that one member of the team has taken the opportunity to relocate back to their family home in the north of England at no detriment to the business.
Connect with Rob on LinkedIn
On LinkedIn? Connect with Rob to be the first to know what he is up to and his tips to promote your business.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robmackley