How It All Started

I never set out to start a business. In fact, if you had told me years ago that I’d be running Skill Elevate, helping professionals and businesses unlock their full potential, I might have laughed. But life has a funny way of guiding us toward what we’re meant to do.

My journey wasn’t linear. It was filled with twists, lessons, and unexpected opportunities. Early in my career, I found myself drawn to problem-solving and personal growth—both my own and others’. I thrived in environments where I could help people sharpen their skills, navigate challenges, and achieve real results. The more I did this, the more I realized something: I didn’t just enjoy it—I was passionate about it.

From Passion to Purpose

That passion turned into a mission. I wanted to create something that didn’t just tick boxes but genuinely transformed the way individuals and businesses approached their own growth. So many talented professionals were stuck, unsure of how to take the next step. At the same time, businesses struggled to develop their teams effectively. With the right guidance, training, and support, I believed the gap between potential and success could be bridged.

The RPL Discovery

I began my journey in the Australian IT sector over twenty years ago, working across major companies, government departments, and private organizations. At the time, I firmly believed that formal education and university degrees were the only pathways to career advancement. That belief shifted when my cousin—who had been in the industry for some time—introduced me to the concept of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). I was surprised to learn that professional experience alone could be formally recognized and converted into certifications, trade licenses, and qualifications. This discovery opened up an entirely new perspective and fundamentally reshaped how I viewed career development.

Building Skill Elevate in a New Digital Era

When I decided to start Skill Elevate, I thought building the website would be easy. After all, I had done software and website development in the past. But I quickly learned that the world had changed significantly. AI was now everywhere, transforming how websites were built and managed. Initially, I tried creating a website purely using AI tools like ChatGPT, and to my surprise, within ten minutes, I had a functional website. However, I soon realized it wasn’t the platform I wanted to use. So, I went back to my old friend, WordPress.

I assumed I would build the site the way I used to, but I found that even WordPress had evolved. AI-powered templates, automated content generation, and SEO tools had changed the game. I spent countless hours exploring different AI platforms, trying to understand what each one offered. Eventually, I stuck with ChatGPT for content creation, structuring it as a project where I uploaded my branding elements, color schemes, and writing style. From there, I prompted ChatGPT for different posts and refined the drafts it generated.

Creating images and videos became another challenge. There are many AI-powered tools for generating videos, but I quickly learned that relying solely on AI didn’t always produce the best results. I started with Canva, which was great initially, but I felt it was too AI-driven, limiting my creative input. I spent hours refining designs, trying to achieve the right balance. That’s when I moved to Adobe Express, which turned out to be a perfect fit. It had powerful AI tools but also allowed me the flexibility to create my own designs. In the end, Adobe Express became my go-to for designing visuals, while ChatGPT remained my primary tool for content writing.

My Toolset

Over the course of building Skill Elevate, I’ve utilized a variety of tools that have helped me streamline operations, create content, and manage my business efficiently:

• Content Creation & Writing: Write for Me (ChatGPT) for drafting blogs, social media content, and refining ideas.
• Design & Branding: Adobe Express and Canva Team for creating visuals and marketing materials.
• Website Development: WordPress with Blockskit templates for site customization and design.
• SEO & Analytics: Math Rank SEO and Bing Webmaster Tools to optimize visibility and performance.
• Forms & Data Collection: Fluent Forms for managing client interactions and inquiries.
• Customer Relationship Management: HubSpot to track client interactions and marketing efforts.
• Business & Finance: QuickBooks for financial management and invoicing.
• Team & Task Management: ConnectTeam for team collaboration and Zapper for automation.
• Telecommunications: Jetphone telephone system for communication and support.
• Freelance & Outsourcing: Fiverr to find external talent for specialized projects.
• Social Media & Marketing: Facebook Meta Business for managing online presence and advertising.

Building a Strong Team

Skill Elevate wouldn’t be where it is today without the expertise and dedication of my team. I have partnered with my friend, who has extensive knowledge and experience in running small businesses, ensuring that we build a strong and sustainable foundation. My cousin, whose deep understanding of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has been instrumental, plays a key role in guiding individuals through the process. Additionally, we have an experienced Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) sales professional on board, who understands the industry inside and out, helping us connect with the right audience and provide valuable support.

The Future of Skill Elevate

Skill Elevate is more than just a business for me—it’s a passion project that I want to grow into something truly transformative. My vision is to automate the entire process end-to-end, leveraging AI to build smarter tools that simplify learning, skill recognition, and career advancement. The goal is to make it as seamless as possible for professionals to validate their expertise and take the next step in their careers.

Sales has never been my strongest area, so instead of aggressive marketing tactics, we’ve decided to keep our pricing as minimal as possible, ensuring that anyone who wants to advance their career can afford it. Skill Elevate focuses on impact over profit—helping individuals gain recognition for their skills, earn the right certifications, and move forward with confidence.

If you’re someone looking to elevate your skills, streamline your professional growth, or even explore AI-driven solutions to make career development easier, Skill Elevate is here for you. Visit SkillElevate.com.au to learn more, explore our services, and be part of this evolving journey.

This isn’t just a business for me; it’s a reflection of everything I believe in. Growth isn’t just about learning new skills—it’s about elevating yourself, embracing change, and unlocking possibilities you never thought possible.

If my journey resonates with you, or if you’re looking for a way to break through your own professional barriers, let’s talk. Skill Elevate isn’t just about courses and training—it’s about transformation. And that’s something I’ll always be passionate about.

This is just the beginning. I will be discussing each item in my toolbox in more detail, sharing insights on how these tools have helped me streamline processes, enhance productivity, and create a seamless experience for Skill Elevate users.