Every year, I have the best intentions to celebrate my business’ birthday in some fashion. Every year, I remember two weeks too late. Triggers & Sparks is basically my neglected child. I suppose that might explain why every now and again, it throws temper tantrums. There are a number of anniversaries I could celebrate—the day […]
CategoryLife
I’m not sure if this category should be called “life” or “work” or maybe just “unclassified rants that aren’t about travel or design”. That’s probably why I keep renaming it depending on which seems most pressing at the time.
In which love bests money
Crossing the Rio de la Plata after a week-long “holiday” in Uruguay, I realized how much the way I spend my money has changed. Now that I no longer need to steal film from the grocery store or calculate the exact per-grain price of a loaf of bread, I find I’m more willing to spend […]
A change will do me good
In five days, I’ll be on my way to South America. I’m wildly excited, of course. People keep asking me if I’m ready, though, and I’m never quite sure how to answer. I mean, I have a suitcase that will hold 25 pairs of shoes and still have enough room for a couple weeks’ worth […]
12 plugins every WordPress installation needs
As I mentioned in last week’s post, I’m working on streamlining a number of my processes. The most important, and I think accordingly the most complex, of these processes is that by which I develop websites, which is often something of a mishmash of various methodologies and techniques. Since I build so many WordPress websites […]
Not getting paid—and liking it
Businesswise, the last few weeks have been quite active for me. I’ve heard from lots of new clients and have started quite a number of new projects. I’ve even heard from old prospects I’d forgotten about, and I’ve had interest crop up from new contacts. I noticed, however, that while I’m working an awful lot, I’m […]
5 ways to build internet credibility
Walking home the other day, I saw a new tattoo shop had opened up near my house. “Classy Tattoo Parlour”, the sign proclaimed in loud, all-caps serifed letters. Of course, it was in a strip mall, so even if it were the classiest joint in town, full of ladies in beehives smoking from mile-long cigarette […]
Six (minimally self-serving) tips for choosing a designer
Hiring a designer is a tricky process. You’ve got to pick someone, sometimes out of nowhere, pay him a bunch of money as a deposit, and hope that he comes up with something you love. Chances are good that whatever you need designed is something you care a great deal about (especially if you’re a […]
Surviving with your reputation—and your dignity—intact
Shit happens. It may be trite, but it’s true. You can be the most organized, thoughtful, and thoroughly prepared businessperson in the universe, but eventually, somewhere along the line, things will spiral out of control. Suddenly, your meticulously planned project has turned into a beast: a mess of missed deadlines, a slew of thwarted expectations, […]
These dog days are for the birds!
Well, apparently my business should be slowing down right about now as everyone runs off on summer holidays, but it’s emulating a steamship more than anything else. (Which is nice, except that my house looks like it’s been hit by a hurricane.) I’ve been insanely busy but have been trying to keep balanced (relatively speaking): […]
Why you can’t call me cheap (anymore)
Four years ago, when I started out my business (or whenever it was—I always get fuzzy on the dates) I was charging all of $10 an hour (sometimes less, as was the case in my first job). Looking back, it’s no surprise, really, that by the end of my first solo year I was so […]