A TEENAGE entrepreneur whose father passed away during the Coronavirus lockdown is on the road to business success.
Ethan Quinn, from Llandudno, launched digital agency EQ Media in 2017 at just 14 years old and won clients in myriad sectors while balancing web design, video production, photography and social media with the demands of school.
Now 18, he has secured new customers since finishing his studies at Coleg Llandrillo; however, his world was rocked six months ago when beloved Dad Steve was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Two weeks later – and one day after the UK went into lockdown– Steve sadly died, leaving Ethan and mum Michelle to cope with his loss while self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tragedy has made Ethan even more determined to make his Dad proud, and he is certainly doing that with a series of big projects in the pipeline and plans for expansion into the north west next year.
“Losing Dad hit me hard, and as it’s just mum and I at home we were unable to see other members of the family when the pandemic took hold in the UK,” he said.
“But we have stayed strong and I have really thrown myself into my work. I am so thankful for the incredible support I’ve had from the community and clients and am excited to see what lies ahead.”
Among the organisations EQ Media counts among its customers and collaborators are Llandudno FC, Bay Counselling Services, Adventure Parc Snowdonia, Team Frogs, Radar PR, Titans Gym North Wales, Spartan Fitness, Explore Llandudno and Geek Retreat Café.
And winning the Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the North Wales Young Business Awards in 2019 was further acknowledgement of his ability and spirit.
With plans for another social documentary in the pipeline – his last, Are We Terrified, was filmed in New York and received critical acclaim – Ethan will use the negative aspects of 2020 to spur him on to the next level.
“I have been through a lot, but the business is growing, and all of my efforts are going into that,” he said.
“I am looking to open an office in Liverpool next year as more work is coming from that area, but North Wales will always be home. I have an amazing support network here, professionally and personally, and that is vital to me.”
Ethan added: “They say when someone dies your world turns upside down, and of course that is true, but at the same time the whole of the UK was in chaos and turmoil because of the pandemic. Everyone was feeling sad and scared at what lay ahead.
“It was a very difficult time – it still is – but this year will only make me stronger and even more determined to do my very best, for my Dad.”
