UWSAG talks to Tom Lyall
of CQD Awards

Owner: CQD Awards rated
Winner: UWSAG Award Seekers Pick! for July, 2003

1. What got you started in website design?
   
   "In short, 70 knots of wind! I was waylaid by a shipboard accident over two years ago. After nearly a year of surgery and physiotherapy, I was dismayed to learn that my life of physical labor had come to an end. After over eighteen years of working 18 hours a day, seven days a week, I found myself sitting idle for the first time in my life. Not a nice feeling and one that didn’t sit to well with me. We had an old 486 sitting in the corner and one day I started to bang away at the keys, man was I green, totally computer illiterate. I dove in headfirst and read everything I could find on the Internet. One thing led to another, one program led to another and before I knew it I was hooked. The last year or so has been a whirlwind of learning; I have accomplished great personal goals with regards to web design and I hope to continue this spectacular journey for some time to come."
   
   
2. What do you hope to accomplish with your award program?
   
   "To be the best of the best!?! NAH! To have the ultimate recognition!?! NAH! To help others to achieve their goals!?! Mostly, but the main goal was and still is to prove to myself that I have the capabilities and knowledge to finish what I start and to do it to the best of my abilities. I feel that I am doing that now and by virtue of my program, I hope to continue for some time to come."
   
   
3. What advice would you give other program owners?
   
   "In a nutshell, READ EVERYTHING. There are tons of free resources out there aimed at pointing you down the right path. Don’t be too hasty in your choices, and think your options through. At the end of the day, the only one that you really have to please is yourself. ABOVE ALL… Remember, this is only a game, purely for enjoyment and at the same time an excellent learning tool."
   
   
4. What was the biggest problem you faced with your award program?
   
   "Finding my groove! Finding the real me! After dozens of site redesigns, I have finally found my zone, have settled in and I am now truly satisfied. My program is now a reflection of myself, and it is a great feeling knowing you have finally fulfilled that empty void."
   
   
5. If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
   
   "Heed my own advice as listed above… LOL… Patience or lack thereof was my downfall when first started. If I had to do it all over again, I would do more research and hopefully get on the right horse the first time out the gate."
   
   
6. What plans do you have for the future?
   
   "This time next year I plan on opening my own drafting company and copying service. The wheels are already in motion and by the time I finish school next summer, CQD Technologies will be born."
   
   
7. What else do you like to do?
   
   "In short, my family! I have spent the last 18 years away from my wife and children and now every spare second is devoted to them. As a unit we enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and boating."