---
title: "Q&A with Julia Hamilton, founder of Camaraderie Communication"
date: "2021-06-08T10:50:26"
url: "https://www.godaddy.com/resources/au/stories/qa-with-julia-hamilton-founder-of-camaraderie-communication"
---
# Q&A with Julia Hamilton, founder of Camaraderie Communication

*Today we’re speaking with ****Julia Hamilton,****founder of *[*Camaraderie Communication*](https://camaraderiecomms.com/about)* in Sydney. A veteran communicator, Julia decided to make the leap to her own business in January of 2021. Read on to learn her story.*

*This interview has been gently edited for length and clarity*.

### GoDaddy: Tell us how your business got started

**Julia Hamilton:** I’ve been working in communications for 12 years (!) – not the IT, telcomm kind but the writing kind, where you sit in front of a laptop all day, [crafting words to share stories](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/au/skills/the-gift-of-great-storytelling-5-tips-to-captivate-readers). I’ve been doing this with all sorts of brands, forever.

![Julia Hamlton at her desk](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/uk/wp-content/uploads/julia-hamilton-at-her-desk-min.jpg)

After a forced break from work (parental leave) and seeing so many of my clever friends starting up and succeeding with their businesses, I decided it’s time. I’m slowly starting to see businesses show some interest.

### GD: How did COVID-19 affect your business and how did you respond to the challenges?

**JH:**If anything, the shift to [working virtually](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/au/stories/work-life-balance-for-those-who-work-from-home) only helped boost business. Everyone is starting to realise more and more the power of putting time, energy and resources into internal communication.

### GD: Has there ever been a time when you thought a project/your business might fail?

**JH:**Yes! All the time! The fear of having no clients. But this fear only pushes me harder to get my name ‘out’ there.

### GD: You have some big-name clients — PWC, NSW Government, TEDx — tell us about how you landed those projects.

**JH:**Through previous roles in big organisations and by building trusted relationships over time. It always pays off to [keep in touch](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/au/smallbusiness/stronger-together-how-to-build-a-virtual-community-around-your-small-business).

### GD: Have you received any awards or honors?

**JH:**In my previous roles but not officially through Camaraderie - yet!

### GD: What online tools do you use for your business?

**JH:**GoDaddy, for everything at the moment — web address, [website](https://www.godaddy.com/en-au/websites ), [hosting](https://www.godaddy.com/en-au/hosting-solutions), [email](https://www.godaddy.com/en-au/email).

It took me a few goes to [buy my domain](https://www.godaddy.com/en-au/domains): there are so many writers out there, and so many names taken. Every comms-related name I could think of was snapped up. Ahhh.

I remember going back to my ‘why’: To help organisations build a stronger sense of community for their employees. Which helped. But even that name, ‘Camaraderie,’ was taken.

> ![Julia Hamilton and husband](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/uk/wp-content/uploads/julia-hamilton-and-husband-min-226x300.jpg)
> 
> So I selected one of GoDaddy’s suggestions instead: CamaraderieComms.com.

I chose to go with [.com](https://www.godaddy.com/en-au/tlds/com-domain ) rather than [.com.au](https://www.godaddy.com/en-au/tlds/com-au-domain ) just so I could be open to working for clients outside of Australia eventually, and not wanting to limit myself. That name was going for less than $10 for a two-year registration, which I added to my shopping cart.

*Related: *[*10 tips for choosing the perfect domain name*](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/au/smallbusiness/10-tips-choosing-perfect-domain-name)

### GD: What difference have these tools made to your business?

**JH:**They’ve made everything come across as more professional.

### GD: Do you have any advice for someone who’s just starting a business in your field?

**JH:**Just START, on something.

> Spend 30 minutes a day so that you get to the end of a week and suddenly realise: Aha! I’ve moved forward.

Tell a few trusted friends/colleagues/family about your plans so that they hold you accountable. Mamamia’s[Lady Start Up](https://www.ladystartup.com/pages/home) course is a really worthwhile, helpful community, if this is an option for you. It’s like having your own fan base!

### GD: Are there any mistakes you made that other entrepreneurs should try to avoid?

**JH:**Don’t try to get too clever with names and concepts. Keep it simple. And always test ideas with your ‘customer’ — we can get so swept up working away in our own bubble!

### GD: Any other closing words of wisdom?

**JH:**Always think back to your ‘why.’  What’s the problem you’re trying to solve for people and why is it important? This has helped me every time I’ve felt a bit stuck or stagnant.