The 25-Year Evolution:
From Dreamweaver to AI-Driven Design
My journey into the digital landscape didn’t start with a modern visual builder; it started in 1999 with a flickering CRT monitor and the raw, table-based layouts of Macromedia Dreamweaver. In those early days of the web, every pixel was a battle, and every layout was a puzzle. This was the era of “view source,” where I taught myself the foundations of HTML and the early whispers of CSS.
For over two decades, I have watched the internet evolve from static pages to the dynamic, AI-integrated ecosystem we inhabit today. But for me, the technology has always been a means to an end: Building something that lasts.
A Foundation Forged in Resilience
To understand my approach to web development and storytelling, you have to understand the “Right Road.” Growing up in the foster care system with my twin brother, resilience wasn’t a choice; it was a survival strategy. I learned early that the hardest path is often the one that leads to the most significant growth.
This mindset fueled a 25-year career in business leadership, where I managed a thriving enterprise with over 100 staff members. I learned the mechanics of scale, the psychology of management, and the vital importance of systems. I wasn’t just a “tech guy”; I was a business architect.
The Pivot:
From Director to Primary Carer
Life, however, has a way of introducing unexpected chapters. When my wife suffered a life-altering AVM rupture, my world shifted overnight. I transitioned from the boardroom to the living room, becoming the primary carer for my wife and a stay-at-home father for our children.
It was during the quiet hours of caregiving—the moments between the responsibilities of family and the challenges of recovery—that The Digital Ink was born. I didn’t just return to my roots in web development; I reinvented them. I traded the outdated tables of 1999 for the high-performance architecture of WordPress and Divi, and I traded simple text for the power of AI-enhanced storytelling.
Why I Build with WordPress, Divi, and AI
Today, I leverage my 25 years of experience to provide technical solutions that most developers miss. I understand that a website is more than just a digital business card—it is a business asset that must perform under pressure.
• WordPress & Divi Mastery: I choose these tools because they represent the pinnacle of scalability and ownership. By combining the Divi framework with custom CSS and professional licensing, I build “bespoke” digital homes that my clients actually own, not rent.
• The AI Force Multiplier: I believe that AI is the greatest tool for human empowerment since the printing press. I use AI to optimize code, reconstruct lost memories for my memoirs, and streamline business logic for my clients. At The Digital Ink, AI doesn’t replace the human touch; it amplifies it.
More Than Code: The Author’s Journey
The “Ink” in my brand represents my commitment to the written word. I am a published author of children’s literature and self-development guides, and I am currently documenting my journey through the foster care system and my life as a carer in a deeply personal memoir.
I believe that everyone has a legacy worth building. Whether I am writing a line of CSS to fix a layout or a chapter of a book to heal a wound, I am using the tools at my disposal to turn “The Right Road” into a visible path for others to follow.
Why Work With Me?
When you work with me, you aren’t hiring a freelancer who just “knows a bit of WordPress.” You are hiring:
1. A Business Veteran: Who understands profit margins, staff management, and ROI.
2. A Technical Pioneer: Who has been coding since the 90s and stays ahead of the AI curve.
3. A Resilient Partner: Who knows that when things get tough, you don’t quit—you innovate.
I am Pete Ashton. I build high-performance websites. I write stories of survival. And I use The Digital Ink to help you do the same.