Ghetti Joe specialises in nurturing digital communities and content creation. Founder Rachael Giaramita tells us more.
Introduce yourself…name, job title, & the company you work for.
Rachael Giaramita, Owner and founder of Ghetti Joe.
How long have you been living/working in Digbeth?
I was 21 when I moved to Birmingham and Digbeth was one of the first parts of the city I found, it is where I made most of my friendship groups and where I still spend most of my social time now. I have an office in the Custard Factory and have been working in Digbeth for over 12 years.
What was it like back then?
It was a little rough around the edges, but in a good way, I think that's what I liked about it, being originally from Sheffield the industrial mix felt quite familiar. There has always been a community of makers and creators that have been a part of Digbeth. The most apparent thing was, and there still is a real sense of community. People are quite protective of Digbeth because I think it has been a home or given a sense of home to so many over the years.
There has always been a community of makers and creators that have been a part of Digbeth.
Digbeth looked and felt very different ten years ago. I used to come here as a student for the night-life and creativity, and now the area is undergoing quite the facelift.
What’s it like now?
I think the best way to describe Digbeth is more grown up. The area has changed a fair bit over the years, but it hasn't lost its charm. There are certainly more shops, bars, eateries, choice and without doubt it is definitely better lit, but there are still the characterful parts that make Digbeth what it is. It’s important for Digbeth to evolve and grow along with the rest of the city. More businesses are choosing to set up offices here and I can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring to the area.
