We’re thrilled to introduce you to one of our incredible clients, Julie Richards, who’s taken her family’s legacy and transformed it into a scalable digital app.
Julie’s father, Frank Drysdale, invented the card game Numero over 30 years ago, to keep mentally fit after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Carrying forward her father’s legacy and his dream to make the game accessible to more people, she created the Numero App.
So, we sat down with Julie to dive deeper into her journey of bringing the Numero App to life.
How did Numero begin, and why is it so special to you?
Numero was created in 1993 by my father, Rev Frank Drysdale, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. He shared it with the world in 1994 and donated the game to Alzheimer’s WA in 1995.
I’m proudly keeping the spirit alive by publishing it under license from AWA. As a game invented by Dad, something that is so beneficial to students, owned by and benefiting a charity, how could I be anything but passionate about the success of Numero.
What inspired you to develop the Numero App?
Over the years, many people have suggested an app, but the costs were daunting. However, as the digital world is becoming so dominant in education, I knew it was time to act.
It’s something Dad had dreamt of, and as Numero gained traction and became more profitable, I felt ready to dive into making his dream a reality.
What would you say was your biggest lesson, and how has it shaped the growth of Numero?
My biggest lesson has been that Numero can be for every ability, every age, every situation imaginable. Seeing how it has slotted into every possible scenario has given me the confidence to expand and promote Numero extensively.
I have such faith in the product and the benefits it provides, which allows me to move forward without any hesitation.
Tell us about your proudest moment so far?
My proudest moment was making the Numero App available to the public, closely followed by the initial school release a few months prior.
I am just so excited, and I can’t help thinking how thrilled Dad would be.
Were there any pivotal moments that significantly impacted Numero’s journey?
There have been some pivotal moments since I took on the full responsibility for Numero:
- Venturing out on my own in 2018
- The first major print run was such a scary financial outlay
- The new website and starting up social media platforms were entirely new territories for me
- Each new product designed to support the basic game
However, the scariest thing I have ever done is invest and create the Numero App, and then release it !
How does your family feel about the Numero App?
My husband has been incredibly supportive and basically kept me while I invested all my income back into the business. I couldn’t have done any of this without him.
My adult children are just as amazing – supporting me in every way possible, as they are as knowledgeable about the game as I am! My siblings are proud of what I have achieved, acknowledging that I have managed to keep Dad’s dream alive and continued to have it grow.
What advice would you give to others about starting their own digital journey?
My biggest advice is to be sure of what you want, never waiver and commit fully. Also do your due diligence and work with people who share your passion. Whilst it is an incredibly scary journey in so many ways, it is also so exciting!
Do your due diligence and work with a group of people that accepts your reasons and passion for the project. I found this with Horizon Digital and have never regretted this relationship.
So, what’s next for Numero?
My biggest focus now is on gaining recognition for the Numero App at local, national, and international levels. I want Numero to find its place in the digital world, while still maintaining its significance in education both with the cards and the App.
You can learn more about the Numero here.
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