My Story

Owners Graeme Luey and Johnny Hollick launched their business in 2012 after growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of job opportunities available in the city. “It’s often about who you know rather than what you know or how talented you are,” says Graeme, a trained graphic designer and web developer. “I was tired of looking for a job so I decided to go into business and work for myself.”

Besides providing the pair with the financial capital necessary to start #Hashtag Gallery, Futurpreneur connected Graeme and Johnny with a mentor that answered all of their business-related questions and provided moral support along the way. “Neither Graeme nor myself went to business school,” says Johnny, who works as a DJ on the side. “With our mentor’s help, we were able to get our business off the ground the right way.”

For Graeme, the best part of being an entrepreneur is having the freedom to create his own work schedule. “Being my own boss means I can set my own hours,” he says.

Johnny, on the other hand, appreciates being able to build something he can be proud of. “I like knowing at the end of each day that I’ve made something that is uniquely mine. Being an entrepreneur has allowed me to create a career that I’m interested in, rather than simply spending my time making someone else’s business successful. The feeling is truly exhilarating.”