About Fiona and David

Fiona Boyd and David Eedle have a long history establishing and operating online communities and businesses. In 2000 they launched artshub.com, an online subscription content business with tens of thousands of members globally, and offices in Melbourne, London and New York. Arts Hub was sold in late 2006 to a group of private investors led by Simon Baker, former MD of the ASX listed realestate.com.au. David and Fiona also successfully built and then sold a similar business in the film and television industry.

David and Fiona are featured in the book by Emily Ross and Angus Holland (authors of 100 Great Businesses and the Minds Behind Them, Random House, 2004) called 50 Great e‐Businesses and the Minds Behind Them (Random House, 2007). Other businesses featured in the book, include Google, Amazon, eBay, Seek, Realestate.com.au, MySpace and YouTube as well as 42 others you may have heard of.

Fiona

Fiona

I would describe myself most firmly as ‘creative class’ in the classic sense that Richard Florida describes this group of people. One of the first jobs I’ll own up to was a gig reviewing arts events with the street press magazine, Xpress. I have three degrees – a BA, BEd and qualification in the performing arts. I’ve also been a keyboardist in a couple of bands in the 1980s, worked with a small business agency, set up and sold a gourmet food business and worked as a broadcaster/manager at ABC Radio and as a high school teacher. I’ve been working with David since 1996, and lead the Arts Hub business from 2003 to end 2005. I hold a deep interest in all things related to communication, personal growth and cultural activity. You can find me on Facebook, and I have a very nascent presence on Twitter @FionaK.

David

David

My original career was working backstage and in administration in theaters and performing arts centers around Australia and the UK. I kind of fell into the arts because it let me play with all the cool lighting and sound gadgets. But it was also a great introduction to working as an entrepreneur with only small resources, and relying on innovation and initiative. In 1996 Fiona and I founded a management consultancy, which over time morphed into an online development, content and publishing business. I’ve been coding web sites since the early 1990s – I often joke I can remember the Internet before there were pictures – and with Fiona have developed and exited a number of internet businesses. I blog at www.eedle.com, and can be found on Twitter at @davideedle.