Silverbrook was created by Philip King and brings together a growing collection of independent online projects, including Silver Websites, SortedHome, SortedPets and Kimbolton Online.
It's a name with a bit of history.
It all started with a brook (and a dragon or two)
When I first set up my business, I wanted to call it Quicksilver, after a character I'd created playing Dungeons & Dragons when I was younger. Unfortunately, the name wasn't available, so I needed something else.
I've always liked silver. It's a precious metal, but unlike gold, it's still relatively affordable and accessible. At the time, we also lived in a house with a small brook running past it.
Put the two together and Silverbrook was born.
The name stuck with me, even as the business developed and took on different identities over the years. Now it feels like the right name to bring everything together again.
From computers to websites
My interest in technology goes back to the days of the BBC Micro, when I first discovered programming. That interest eventually became a career in IT, working my way from software development into technical leadership and project management.
After 18 years in the corporate world, I decided to go it alone in 2014.
I initially offered a mixture of IT support and website development, but it didn't take long to realise that websites were what I enjoyed most. They brought together the technical problem-solving I loved with creativity and the opportunity to understand how different businesses work.
That's how
Silver Websites developed, providing website design, hosting and ongoing support for small businesses and organisations.
One idea leads to another
Over time, I started looking at other ways technology could help smaller businesses and local communities.
That led to projects such as
SortedHome, which helps people find home and lifestyle experts, and
SortedPets, which connects pet owners with useful services and businesses.
Kimbolton Online has a more local focus, bringing together businesses, organisations and information for the community around the Cambridgeshire village where we now live.
Each project has its own audience and personality, but they all share something important: a belief that useful, well-managed online platforms can make a genuine difference without being unnecessarily complicated.
Bringing everything together
Silverbrook is simply the home for all these ideas.
Some projects are established, others are still growing, and there will probably be a few more ideas along the way. I enjoy finding opportunities, making connections and building things that serve a practical purpose.
I still believe in the principles that shaped the original business: treating people fairly, doing what you say you'll do, and finding solutions that work for the people using them.
And after all these years, I still think Silverbrook is a pretty good name.
