MICHIGAN WEB DESIGNER WINS GOLD WEB AWARD & YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD...

Michigan web designer wins web award and the "young entrepreneur spirit award".

MICHIGAN WEB DESIGNER

WINS GOLD WEB AWARD & DETROIT ENTREPRENEURSHIP INSTITUTE'S YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

"PUTTING ART FIRST AND TECH SECOND MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

Web sites are now as much a part of American life as television itself. Like television, there are some shows worth watching and some that just bore us to tears. Nealkill, is part of the Motor City's Tech Fabric. 21 year old native Detroiter, Nealkill (aka Neal Chester), the recipient of a recent "Golden Web Award" and also 2002's Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute is amazed at what some people are willing to put forth to represent their companies on the world wide web. "We live in a global economy and the possibility to grow a company outside of a little building somewhere on Main Street is entirely feasible", says Nealkill.

This Center for Creative Studies Student is looking to expand his business but is often turned down by the uninformed, non-techie business owners that don't realize the power, business and savings a web site can bring them. Nealkill comments, "they fail to see it as a productive tool". He quickly comments on the fact that neither he nor his friends even use or own a phone book anymore, "most guys I know research and purchase everything from stereos to plumbers on the internet". Things are rapidly changing and Bill Gates might have been off a few years but, near right when he said, "By the year 2002, there will be two types of businesses, those on the internet and those that are out of businesses".

We all make judgments about companies based first on their appearance. Whether it is their trucks, uniforms or lack of uniforms, the building they work out of, the employees they hire and more. As Americans we are becoming more a service based country and it is safe to assume that websites will be a natural front for the growing boom in home-based businesses. These businesses will have 2 initial ways to present themselves. The first is with expensive printed materials and second with a website. Business owners should think about this public display before they go hire their nephew (unless he's web-artist Nealkill) to build a site for them. Neal comments that because he is an artist and illustrator first and a techie second, his sites come together and flow real well. "Every site is a work of art to me. It has to look and feel right," Nealkill comments. He is extremely confident that what he designs for his customers will stand up against the competition globally.

When asked about the name Nealkill, he says that his ultimate goal is to raise enough money to publish a comic book. Killer Comics was going to be the name of his comic book because friends would often say, "Neal, that's some killer artwork, killer characters... but a comic store already had that name. I didn't necessarily want to use the name but I still liked the "killer" part. The name stood out in the comic world. Since I would be running the company, I added my name to it; Neal+Kill, I liked it because they both rhymed together as well. So this is now the official name of my comicbook and web design company and of course it became my nickname as well".

Companies interested in making a more professional presentation should really look hard for a talented web designer. The website is the gateway to their company. It is the tool that brings new customers to their door. Nealkill's prices start at as little as $995 and can run up from there. If you unknowingly hire his services indirectly through a graphics design or marketing firm expect to pay 3 or more times this amount. He likes the independence of being an entrepreneur but says he really gets rattled with those that keep talking about what they're going to do but fail to come through with the cash. "My business consultant told me once that the first rule of business is to realize that most people make empty promises, that they just like to hear themselves talk and that I better get used to it".

So Detroit, are you ready to quit talking? Are you ready for a "killer website" and some global growth? Do you want to take the next step? Are you committed to growing that business? Then get a website that states that through form and function. While you're at it, it wouldn't hurt to keep the business local either. Neal is one of many professional web designers in the Metro Detroit Area. He is also a young man looking to grow his business from the ground up. "I'm looking for some sales reps..." says Neal!

"Nealkill" Chester can be reached by website at http://www.nealkill.com, by e-mail web@nealkill.com or by the plain old telephone at (313) 401-8129