26/10/2009 Leicestershire: Michael Cheung is an example of success that shines out in contrast to the current economic pessimism.  Born and raised in Nottingham it could be said that business is in his blood.  On arrival from Hong Kong in the early seventies his parents set up their own successful business.  Says Michael, “My early years were spent in a community where owning and running your own business was the norm.  It certainly made me think about what I might want to do in the future.”

Michael’s interest in IT started whilst at school and despite his self confessed aversion to anything ‘too academic’ his educational record is most impressive. Progressing through BTEC Computing (with distinction), an HND (first) and emerging with an upper 2:2 degree it is obvious that he has talent.  But if talent was the only requisite, then his story would not be so interesting!

“When I first left Uni I started working for Findel Education.  I progressed quickly and started overseeing the design, development and building of websites for over 15 international brands,” says Michael.

Michael was also part of the team which implemented the first ever Quark Digital Asset Management System taking the beta project through conception, testing and on to sale.

After 2 ½ years Michael was made redundant and went to work for Direct Insight where, in the course of 1 ½ years he was able to overhaul 4 websites, build an intranet network and an e-commerce system which linked into their bespoke database systems.  With such a lot achieved in such a short space of time it would have been easy live on past achievements, but Michael aged only thirty two has that extra something that makes an entrepreneur.

By 2004 the dotcom bubble was officially a damp splat but Michael saw opportunity when others were backing away and in 2005 Michael Associates was born.  Initially offering web design and programming as a sole trader, Michael has an eye for identifying opportunity and expanding his portfolio to fill the gaps.  Branching into graphic design and then print management was an organic way of providing his customers with a one stop shop and Digital Publishing International has evolved to become a company in its own right with customers across 4 continents.

Unfortunately, being both gifted and insightful does not make you recession proof and Michael Associates has been affected.  However, the difference here is that despite having to cut back, the core ethos of opportunity and versatility has remained and the diversification continues with PHP MySQL Programming and SendMail divisions coming into being.

So does all work and no play make Michael a dull boy?  “Not at all,” laughs Michael.  “In my spare time I play badminton and was the founder member of my local badminton group.  I also enjoy mountain biking, going to the cinema and international cuisine.” Michael also speaks excitedly of his 4 week ‘round the world’ honeymoon.

It takes a wide range of skills to be successful and Michael Cheung certainly has them all.  Keep a close eye on this one.  He’s going to be big!

[ENDS]

Editors Notes:

Michael Cheung, Managing & Creative Director, Michael Associates Ltd, Marketing Design and Communications Agency

Michael Cheung set up the website design business in February 2005.  Since then the company has grown rapidly and has helped to seal its reputation for excellence in new media marketing solutions.  January 2006 saw the company develop into a full marketing design agency with products and services offered from website design, graphic design, environmentally friendly print, digital publishing, eMarketing, and search engine optimisation.  Michael’s company is a true one-stop marketing agency which helps reduce production time but retain hi-end service on all of its activities.   Clients are local, national across the UK and helps service customers worldwide from all corners of the globe.

Michael graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2000 and went onto develop new media solutions for the drinks industry, education supplies sector and computer peripherals in both private and public.

Michael is an active member in the business community and believes that everyone has the ability to succeed, and he gets involved in many schemes that develop business talent and encourages growth.  This year he was a judge at this year’s national Shell Step scheme looking for the most enterprising student during their summer work placement and also speaks at local universities and colleges on entrepreneurship and real-life business issues.

DVD Blu-ray Duplication is Michael’s latest business innovation and was established in 2009.