Client Overview

Livia Records is an Irish jazz label that needed an eCommerce website to sell its CDs and Vynil globally. Their primary requirement was a simple, stable solution that could operate cost-effectively, without incurring the ongoing fees associated with platforms like Shopify or Bandcamp.

The Challenge

The label’s limited budget posed a significant challenge. They needed a fully functional online store that could:

• Process international transactions seamlessly.
• Be user-friendly for both customers and the label’s team.
• Avoid recurring platform fees that could eat into their margins.

The Solution

To address their needs, I designed and developed a website using WooCommerce, hosted on WordPress, as it:

• Eliminates recurring platform fees: The open-source nature of WooCommerce and WordPress keeps costs low.
• Scales globally: The solution supports multiple currencies and regions without additional fees.
• Offers full customization: The design was tailored to reflect Livia Records’ brand identity while maintaining simplicity.
• Empowers the client: The interface allows the Livia Records team to manage inventory, orders, and updates independently.

The Outcome

The website, www.liviarecords.com, now provides:

• Cost-Effective Operations: No monthly fees for eCommerce tools or additional sales percentages, maximizing profits.
• Global Reach: Customers from around the world can easily purchase music and merchandise.
• User-Friendly Management: The label can update products, track orders, and manage inventory effortlessly.

Key Takeaways

This project demonstrated how a strategic approach using open-source tools like WooCommerce can deliver professional, scalable, and budget-friendly solutions for small businesses. Livia Records now has a stable, independent platform to grow their business without compromising on quality or functionality.

Client Overview

Hoa Motukate is a Christchurch-based charity dedicated to supporting underprivileged children by pairing them with mentors to help them engage in sports. The organization relies heavily on a dedicated network of volunteers, but managing this network presented significant challenges.

The Challenge

The charity’s volunteer management system was entirely manual, involving:

• Emailing each volunteer individually.
• Manually recording hours and data in spreadsheets.
• Extensive administrative tasks, including following up with volunteers and ensuring data accuracy.

This process was time-consuming and inefficient, leaving little room for strategic growth or enhanced volunteer engagement.

The Solution

After interviewing the team to understand their pain points, I examined a few platforms that offered this service, I landed on and proposed onboarding them to MyImpact, a volunteer management platform that offered:

• Self-Service for Volunteers: Volunteers could log their own hours and update their information, reducing administrative workload.
• Streamlined Communication: The platform allowed the team to send announcements and updates to volunteers easily.
• Enhanced Data Collection: It enabled the team to gather detailed insights about volunteer sessions, particularly regarding the mentorships with the children.
• Efficiency Gains: The centralized platform simplified tracking, reporting, and coordination.

I studied the platform and learned how it worked and onboarded the Hoa Motuhake team to it and handed them over to the MyImpact team when I felt they have enough training that I could step away.

The Outcome

Hoa Motukate now benefits from:

• Significant Time Savings: The team can focus on strategic initiatives instead of manual admin tasks.
• Improved Volunteer Engagement: Easier communication and data logging have strengthened the relationship between the charity and its volunteers.
• Actionable Insights: The enhanced data collection provides valuable metrics about mentorship sessions, helping the charity measure and improve impact.
• Scalability: The platform allows for future growth as the volunteer network expands.

Key Takeaways

This project highlights the transformative power of digital tools in the nonprofit sector. By listening to the team’s challenges and identifying a cost-effective, user-friendly solution, I helped Hoa Motukate improve operational efficiency and enhance their ability to support underprivileged children through sport and mentorship.