I want to share with you the journey that led me to becoming a professional blog designer. Running a business isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, but starting my own business has been both challenging and extremely rewarding.
If you have a dream to do something but are afraid to make the jump, just do it! I hope my story encourages you to take the leap.
This post contains affiliate links for products I recommend.
Hello Myspace
While I’ve been a creative person as far back as I can remember, it wasn’t until 2006 that I ventured into the world of graphic design and coding.
Myspace was all the rage back then.
After hearing so many people rave about Myspace, I made the decision to create an account.
I loved it instantly. My favorite part of the platform was how you had the ability to customize your profile with custom layouts and graphics.
Come one. I know you remember those days. My Myspace page was decked out with my favorite music, glitter graphics, etc.
After being on Myspace for a few months, I began to get the itch to create my own graphics and layouts. I started using Paint Shop Pro (I purchased a really old copy on Amazon) and teaching myself how to make my own graphics.
Once I got the hang of that, I started learning about HTML and CSS so that I could code my own layouts.
Everything I learned about design and coding, I learned from online tutorials, forums, and lots and lots of trial and error.
Eventually, I even set up a Myspace page where I would provide Myspace layouts and graphics to download at no charge.
By this time, I had upgraded to using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for my designs. I felt so legit.
Believe it or not, at one point I was getting paid to design custom graphics and layouts for other Myspace users.
It was amazing!
The Death of Myspace
After a few good years on the platform, around 2008, there was a quick decline in the number of active Myspace users. People were migrating over to Facebook at a rapid rate.
At this point, I decided to close my page down, and move on to new adventures.
Hello Blogger
It wasn’t long after leaving Myspace that I started designing for the Blogger platform. It was an easy transition for me because I had already learned so much about coding and graphic design during my time on Myspace.
I started designing for myself on Blogger because there weren’t very many feminine templates available during that time. Occasionally, I would get inquiries about my custom templates, and began making money on the side creating custom blogger templates.
For the next two years or so, I was going to college while still designing as a hobby, and occasionally for profit.
While I loved designing, and enjoyed the opportunities that I had to get paid doing something I love, it was never something that I considered doing for a living.
College Graduation
It wasn’t until I graduated college and was offered a job position that I wasn’t passionate about, that I considered the possibility of designing for a living.
The day I was offered the job, instead of celebrating the fact that I had just been offered a position, I was thinking about how much I didn’t want to work for someone else. I also thought about how fun it would be if I could work for myself doing blog design.
It was that night that I made the decision to quit the job I hadn’t even started yet, and work for myself.
Thus, Beautiful Dawn Designs was born.
Working For Myself
In the beginning, even though I truly believed in my work, I would find myself comparing my work to others. There were times when I felt like I wasn’t talented enough, or popular enough.
Over time, I learned to love and accept myself enough to stop with the comparisons, and appreciate my own journey.
Five years into my business, I continue to love what I do. Not only have I made a positive impact in my life, and the lives of my family. But I know I’ve made a difference in the lives of my customers, clients, and readers.
If you have a goal to start your own business, blog, or whatever it is that excites you; I challenge you to follow your dream. It won’t be easy, but it’s not supposed to be. However, I can tell you that it will be worth it.
Hey do you design graphics such as logos?
I use Adobe Illustrator to design logos. I typically use Photoshop for all other graphics.
Tiffany, this is so on time. This is my last month at my current job. I’ve been there for 10 years, and I finally decided to follow my dream of working for myself. I’ve never wanted to work an office job, but got sucked in for 10 years for various reasons. Now it’s my time, and I’m not looking back. You know I have the crafting blog, but I also have other interests and blogs. I also dance, choreograph, design (page layout), write, and teach. I just published my first book on Amazon a couple of weeks ago. I’ve given myself 12-18 months (depending on finances) to start my own business and never return to an office job ever again.
Following your dreams can be difficult if you been brainwashed into thinking the 9-5 route is the only road to success. But I finally realized that I’ve been using all of my talents to benefit someone else, my company, and not myself. And I wasn’t being adequately compensated for all that I contributed to the institution.
I could go on and on, but basically thanks for confirming what I already knew was the right decision for me. I only have one more month to go!
Wow Krystal, congratulations on your upcoming big leap. Because I know it is a big leap.
Thank you for sharing your story. You are so talented (what can’t you do :)), and I’m so glad I get to follow you on your new journey.
I see your new book is available on Kindle Unlimited. I’ll be sure to check it out!
Thank you, Tiffany. If you would be so kind to leave a review, I would really appreciate it!
Thank you, just what I needed to hear. I had a dream of creating my own blog, an outlet for myself and also a help to others. But once I started researching online I became overwhelmed with all the dos and don’t’s, it was never like that back in the dawn of blogging, it used to be a free thing where you said whatever you felt like. I love what you said about finally not comparing yourself and just enjoying your own journey. It gives me hope. Love it. I think we all have something to give to others, and your templates are beautiful (that’s what’s on my blog right now!).
I know what you mean Stephanie. Blogging isn’t like it used to be. It’s really become more of a business for a lot of bloggers. But you know what? I say blog about whatever it is that brings you joy. Otherwise, what’s the point, right?
p.s. Thank you for giving my Enamored theme a try. I hope you’re enjoying it!
Um, this is awesome. I used to love LOVE doing that on Myspace too! I don’t know why I didn’t seriously follow it more. I was even majoring in Graphic Design after all that! But that was back when Quark was the big thing, not Adobe LOL. And here I am now, just starting a blog, wishing I remembered all that stuff!
The good old days! 🙂
Better late than never, Laura. Looks like you’re off to a good start!