My journey as a creative entrepreneur started in 2006 when I was working for an architectural firm as a project manager. I had a good job, but it wasn’t a great job. There was no path within that company which would have made me happy, so I took matters into my own hands and quit.
I taught myself how to use WordPress and was the first person who started selling premium themes. I guess you can say I helped revolutionize the market. In my first month, I made $10,000, which grew to $20,000, $40,000, and $80,000 the following months. The rest, as they say, is history.
Some days I feel as though it was pure happenstance—that it was merely a stroke of luck and I was in the right place at the right time. Other days, I embrace the fact that I was smart enough to seize the opportunity which presented itself in front of me. Either way, here I am, and here you are.
This past summer, StudioPress was acquired by WP Engine. It was the right move at the right time with the right partner. I have zero regrets, especially as it opened the door for something I had been dreaming about for years.
Authentik launched in late 2017, and earlier this year we opened a web design and development agency—known as Authentik Studio. We disrupt the web for creators, and help them build an honest brand.
My passion for building community is stronger than ever, and I believe that we are better together. At Authentik, we want to create an environment where folks can thrive and jam with fellow tribe members—where they can share their experiences, stay accountable, and encourage each other.
“The white space in our life is where the magic happens.”
Personally, I have grown an affinity for minimalism. I simplified my life, which brought clarity and allowed me to focus on things that matter. I created No Sidebar—a collaborative blog dedicated to intentional living.
Life is precious, and the quality of it matters. We tend to allow the noise and distraction into our work, and we end up with canvases that are cluttered. As creatives, the environment we surround ourselves in can heavily impact the art we produce—and quite honestly, it should. So I choose less.
I have fallen in love with minimalist design and prefer to balance aesthetics with functionality. I believe that white space, stunning visuals, and striking typography establish a more sophisticated and intoxicating experience.
Feel free to check back soon, as I am in the middle of building out my website. In the meantime, go ahead and follow me on Twitter or stalk me on Instagram.
Or you can read some of my favorite things that I’ve written:
- Big Yellow Signs
- Do You Have the Courage to Risk It All?
- It’s your life. It’s your work.
- No Matter What
- You Don’t Have to Do #AllTheThings
Until then, may the odds be ever in your favor.
