When Lawrence Harmer first started designing websites back in 1998 (the same time Google itself was founded), little did he know that his thirst for knowledge, innate design skills and sponge-like ability to absorb information would see him running his own creative digital design agency with 17 staff members and over 500 clients 25 years later. The saying goes that it’s not the destination but the beauty of the journey, so here we look at the history of Solve Web Media and the journey undertaken by Lawrence Harmer so far…
The Beginning
It was the late nineties – Lawrence chose Glamorgan University in Wales to study for a degree in Multimedia Technology and Product Design. One module which piqued his interest above all else, was a week learning the foundations of web design. Lawrence was fascinated by HTML and how it was possible to create a website by harnessing the language of code. That initial spark of interest was ignited, and Lawrence hungrily devoured textbook after textbook (for those were the pre-Google days!), learning all he could about the exciting, not yet widely-known field of HTML coding.
After a year in Wales Lawrence realised that university life wasn’t for him as structured learning didn’t suit his dyslexic brain, but he retained an acute interest in coding and web design, reading everything and putting his new-found knowledge into practice whenever he could. He didn’t realise it at the time, but this was the catalyst that would shape his future.
The Middle
After university, Lawrence set off travelling. Driven by a deep wanderlust (and never one to do things by halves), Lawrence’s travels took him all around the world for a total of 14 years. From Alpine ski seasons to yachting adventures in West Africa, surf trips in Europe and campervanning around Australia… Lawrence’s inquisitive mind and zest for life meant that he travelled far and wide. As he travelled he made websites for people he met along the way which helped to fund his travels. When he wasn’t exploring or adventuring, internet cafes all over the world became his place of work, and the internet became his realm of learning and creativity. In those days of course Wi-Fi was non-existent, and Lawrence remembers how much easier it was to find high-quality internet cafes in Africa than it was here in Cornwall.
On one particularly poignant trip driving through Portugal in a campervan with his pal Chris, Lawrence mused over how they could make a living out of this incredible travelling life. In those early days of the internet, blogs as we know them today didn’t exist but sailing around Cape Verde with travel companion Jerome, the friends had an idea – they could write about their adventures and perhaps gain some kind of following which could become lucrative. They came up with the name of the precedential travel blog – Soulventure – and started writing about their adventures online accompanied by awesome images. True enough, the blog was a success and gathered a loyal following of readers – even authoritative magazines like Surfer’s Path showed a keen interest and followed the young mens’ oversea adventures.
Turning Point
This was the era of CSS and HTML versus table-based web design and Lawrence found that by thoroughly reading, researching and implementing best practices and creating seamless usability for the websites he created, he was able to stride ahead of the competition. Lawrence states Paul Boag as an early influencer, and he digested Paul’s podcasts and blogs passionately, learning everything he could and organically growing his knowledge base.
Fast forward to 2014 and Lawrence puts down some roots. Settled in North Cornwall with a house to call their own, he and his wife Nadine started carving out a future for their blossoming family. Lawrence was still making websites, but this time he had an office in their spare bedroom and a growing base of loyal happy clients. Working with businesses all over Europe to improve their online presence, Lawrence gives his company the name ‘Solve Web Media’ which partly stems from the ‘Soulv’ part of his initial blog Soulventure as well as accurately describing the curative effect his web design can have on businesses enlisting his services.
Shedquarters
2015 rolls around and demand for Lawrence’s web design services gathers via word of mouth and recommendation from impressed clients. Demand increases to such an extent that Lawrence employs the services of other web designers, social media experts and content writers to help augment his business. With clients wanting to come in for meetings and now with two staff members, the spare bedroom was no longer a viable solution as an office… “Shedquarters” was born! This beautifully designed cabin-cum-office at the end of Lawrence’s garden had four hand-carved wooden desks, a wood burner, coffee-making facilities and the most awe-inspiring views over the fields (with the odd nosey cow sometimes gazing in to see what geeky shenanigans were afoot).
Lawrence attributes the support of Cornish-based organisations Future Focus, Oxford Innovation and Unlocking Cornish Potential for giving him excellent mentorship and the confidence to grow at this pivotal time. Shedquarters provided a creative space to work and develop for two happy and successful years, but it wasn’t long before this too became too small for the dynamic digital marketing company Solve Web Media was fast becoming.
The Atlantic Highway
By the latter half of 2018, Solve Web Media had grown to the extent that the company now inhabited a purpose-built office on the Atlantic Highway. The new office had ample space for the team of digital creatives who each helped to shape Solve Web Media into the exciting and vibrant creative digital marketing agency it was destined to be. The office reflected Lawrence’s employer ethos by including hydraulic height adjustable standing/sitting desks to redress posture problems, an array of indoor plants to increase happiness and productivity, and enlisted the services of an occupational therapist to ensure that staff are comfortable and healthy in their new working environment.
Nansledan Mark One
In late 2020 Lawrence moved his growing business to a purpose-built studio space in a new location just outside of Newquay. The flourishing community of Nansledan was the vision of His Majesty King Charles who has long been concerned with the quality of the natural and built environment. Nansledan embodied the King’s principles of architecture and urban planning with a focus on being sustainable, land-efficient and using low-carbon materials. This was one of the key reasons for choosing Nansledan as the location for the new Solve office as it completely aligns with Solve’s evolving company values and commitment to the environment.
B Corps Certification
Driven by his world travels and deep love of the natural world, Lawrence always had a passion for protecting our planet and so set about steering his company towards a greener future. In 2020, he was proud to achieve his aim of becoming a B-Corp-certified digital marketing agency, joining a new way of thinking and a global movement of people using business as a force for good. To become a B Corp, companies have to meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Lawrence and his team worked hard to reach this goal and were honoured to fulfil the many requirements needed to achieve the globally recognised certification. Showing the company’s commitment to putting people and the planet before profit, Solve was recognised for providing high-quality employment and working towards building better communities through its work.
B Corps UPDATE: In June 2024 we were re-assessed and awarded our most prestigious B Corp certification to date, scoring a global industry-topping score of 145.8. This score means that we rank in the top 1% of all B Corps in the UK, and are the highest-scoring web design agency in the world.
The Present – Nansledan Mark Two
In April 2023 Lawrence decided to rent Nansledan Mark One and procured a second office space in Nansledan for his expanding company. The new light-filled, beautifully designed office space is now home to Solve’s 17-strong team of digital wizards and boasts ample space to accommodate the company as it continues along its glittering path of growth. In May, the company was recognised as one of the UK’s best places to work in 2024, so we are well on the way to success and happiness.
The office is designed to inspire and lift spirits – bursting with green leafy plants and designed using natural sustainable materials, the new studio space provides inspiration and calm to the creatives who thrive here. The team is surrounded by happy colours and images, natural materials, plenty of daylight, and infused with calming essential oils. Access to outside space is vital when working with screens, so the nearest beach is within reach, thanks to the office e-bike.
Looking Ahead
Lawrence still lives by the philosophy which came from the spark of that original dream he had atop a boat in Cape Verde sailing into the new dawn of his full and happy life…. love what you do and you’ll never work another day in your life. This ethos, along with his verve and determination, has made Solve one of the top-performing digital marketing agencies in the South West.
The Future….
…isn’t written yet, but it’s definitely looking bright (and more than a little geeky!).
