GoDaddy and Olympian Melissa Wu team up to inspire Australian entrepreneurs

• GoDaddy research reveals that a quarter of Australians surveyed have a dream of starting their own business or side hustle, but have not done so yet
• Olympic silver medalist, four-time Olympic diver and three-time small businesses owner, Melissa Wu, is eager to inspire Australians to follow their dreams

GoDaddy Inc. (NYSE: GDDY), the company that empowers everyday entrepreneurs, announces today that it has teamed up with four-time Olympian and three-time entrepreneur, Melissa Wu, continuing its partnership with the Australian Olympic Team as the official Website Builder Partner for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

GoDaddy has a long and proud history of

supporting Australian entrepreneurs and small business owners. Many of Australia’s Olympic athletes, including Melissa, are small business owners themselves, sharing a synergy of traits like determination, commitment and a drive to succeed.

The partnership with Melissa comes as GoDaddy research reveals that a quarter (24%) of Australians surveyed said they have a dream to start their own business or side hustle, but haven't yet done so. Of those, over half (53%) reported actively thinking about it at least once a week, but a lack of money (52%), confidence (41%) or expertise (37%) are the three most common barriers preventing them from taking that first step.

To encourage Australians to follow their business dreams, Melissa is committed to easing the fears of aspiring Australian entrepreneurs, showing that anyone can make time to follow their business dreams and get their ideas online – even if you’re not an expert.

 

An Olympic silver medalist and newly announced member of the Tokyo 2020 Australian Olympic Team, Melissa runs three small businesses alongside her rigorous training program. These passion projects help to support her Olympic dreams, and lay the foundations for a long and rewarding career post-diving.

Speaking on her mission to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs to follow their dream of starting an online business, Melissa Wu said, “So many of the skills and traits I’ve developed in my sporting career - such as dedication, resilience and drive - are invaluable in my entrepreneurial life too. Like competing at the very top of the sporting world, running a small business isn’t easy, but it’s a rewarding and empowering way to earn a living and support my athletic career.”

Dreams come in all shapes and sizes, and two in three (69%) Aussies surveyed believe that greater control and flexibility in how they earn their living, would help them achieve their dreams. Meanwhile, almost half of Australians agreed that starting their own small business has greater appeal than a traditional job (47%).

“My businesses are such an important part of who I am. They’re passion projects that allow me to earn a living - alongside competing - doing something I love.” Melissa continued. “All three started out as ideas and came to life through dedication and a little courage. To anyone who wants to start a business online, don’t let fear stop you. Like many people, I’m still learning about starting and running a business. I don’t consider myself very tech-savvy, but in building my website and managing my business digitally, GoDaddy helped me realise that I don’t need to be. If you’re passionate, dedicated and don’t mind a bit of hard work, the potential is limitless!”

Tamara Oppen, Managing Director of GoDaddy Australia, added: “For us, Melissa Wu is the embodiment of inspiration. She’s a phenomenal role model for aspiring Australian sports stars and entrepreneurs alike. While she’s training for one of the biggest events of her life, the fact that she simultaneously runs three small businesses, and inspires others to do something they love, is a testament to who she is.

“Ultimately, the majority of athletes - like Melissa - are entrepreneurs; running small businesses to provide the flexibility and financial support they need to chase their sporting dreams. At GoDaddy we provide the support and technical know-how that assists everyday entrepreneurs in their pursuit of something extraordinary. GoDaddy is humbled and honoured to support not only Melissa, but the entire Australian Olympic Team, as they pursue their sporting and entrepreneurial dreams.”

Matt Carroll AM, CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee, continued: “We’re extremely excited to partner with GoDaddy, who alongside Melissa, are undertaking an incredible mission to empower Australian entrepreneurialism. Melissa will represent Australia at an amazing fourth Olympic Games in Tokyo, and her incredible drive to succeed makes her a fantastic role model for future generations - whatever their dreams are. Melissa isn’t alone, though; the Australian Olympic Team in Tokyo includes a host of small business owners across a range of industries. Our partnership with GoDaddy is a wonderful opportunity for us to not just ready our athletes for the Tokyo 2020 games ahead, but lay the foundations for a small business legacy that helps to secure their long-term futures.”

Earlier this month, GoDaddy was named as the Official Website Builder Partner of the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo 2020. In collaboration with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), GoDaddy will help support Australia’s Olympic athletes as they bring their side hustle or business ideas to life. GoDaddy will provide them with products such as Websites + Marketing, with its integrated suite of tools and services, to help them get their business online.