Turning Passion into Purpose: The Story Behind Journalfy
For Matthew Baloglow, founder of Journalfy, journaling isn’t just about capturing memories—it’s about preserving them forever. Based in Melbourne, Journalfy is a unique travel journal startup combining a traditional pen-to-paper experience with digital innovation. With Matthew and his fiancée at the helm, Journalfy merges nostalgia with technology, making it easier for travellers to keep their precious moments safe, organised, and shareable.
Their travel journal integrates seamlessly with the Journalfy app, allowing users to save digital images of their handwritten entries, attach photos, and even share their journey with loved ones. As Matthew puts it,
“Our dream is to make journaling as accessible, easy and everlasting as possible.”
The Spark Behind Journalfy
The inspiration for Journalfy came from an incredibly personal place. In 2015, Matthew’s family home, along with all its contents, was destroyed in a fire. Among the items lost were his collection of travel journals, each one filled with memories from his adventures. The devastation of that night left a lasting impression.
“In 2015, our family home of 30 years was burnt to the ground. Losing all our belongings besides a few items that were saved as the roof was coming down, that night left a lasting reminder of just how impermanent our items are.”
After the fire, Matthew was determined to find a way to preserve his memories, and he realised the answer was combining the tactile experience of writing by hand with the security of digital storage.
“Prior to that night, I had accumulated a large number of travel journals from my trips away, and after the fire, the thought had never left me that I would want a way to write pen to paper but keep my journals organised and stored safely, digitally.”
Matthew joined the Digital Solutions Program at Melbourne Innovation Centre, which helped him refine his vision. Inspired by his mentoring sessions, he took the leap, leaving his full-time job to focus entirely on Journalfy.
The Role of Melbourne Innovation Centre
Matthew credits the Digital Solutions Program at Melbourne Innovation Centre as a pivotal part of his entrepreneurial journey.
“It was my experience with the program that eventually led me to leaving my full-time work to focus on my startup.”
The challenges of building both a physical and digital product have been numerous, but the program has helped Matthew navigate them. From crafting a brand strategy to refining his messaging, the Digital Solutions Program continues to play a critical role in supporting Journalfy’s growth.
“Being seen and heard. Even though you may think you have a great product, there are so many people that will never hear about it as your messaging just isn't reaching them. It's not good enough to just rely on faith and organic drive: work needs to be done to drive this messaging, which is what I hope to achieve with the Digital Solutions Program.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For other small business owners considering the Digital Solutions Program at Melbourne Innovation Centre, Matthew has some advice:
“There is more to lose than gain by not doing the program. Approach the sessions with a 'baby mind' and don't assume you know more than the mentor - this way, you'll open yourself up to learning new things about yourself and business that you can then implement. Also be accountable and complete any work set between sessions.”
Looking Ahead
Matthew has only just begun with the Digital Solutions Program this year, but his sights are set on taking Journalfy to the next level. Whether it’s building a stronger digital presence or refining his business operations, the future looks bright for this innovative startup.
The Digital Solutions Program is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by Melbourne Innovation Centre across Victoria. Join today to unleash the full potential of your small business in the digital realm.
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