As I mentioned yesterday I'm taking part in the Feel Good Blogging Challenge! The first post in the challenge was about making introductions about yourself and your blog. You can still join in! It's never too late to be a part of something that helps you and your blog grow! Today's post is about sharing my story of what I do and why I do it.


Flash back to elementary school, and you will find an Nsync obsessed 9 year old. This was the dial up era and "You've got mail!" was a household thing. I discovered the world of web design and blogging. I was constantly checking out Nsync fan sites and blogs. Does anyone else remember using Expages, Angelfire or Homestead? lol

Fast forward a year or so. I had created several fan sites dedicated to different bands, online pets and actors. I guess in the 90's it was a pretty impressive thing for a 10 year old to be doing what I was doing, but it was just something that made me happy and excited. Being an obsessed "teeny bopper" was not my proudest moment to confess, but it did get my interest stirred in the design world. A relative of mine handed me off my first copy of a popular design software and I was in heaven learning to manipulate photos, learn flash and html and create pretty things.

The rest is kind of a long story that entails different experiences in learning different programs, numerous Xanga and Livejournal accounts, making LOTS OF MISTAKES creatively and professionally, and random freelance jobs in high school. I've never once wanted to do anything else with my life. I've known since I was in elementary that I was going to be a designer. My family always encouraged me and pushed me to follow my dreams. I'll never forget the day they bought me my first Macbook. It still makes me happy.

I guess I've always been drawn to technology and design. Now today I'm proud to say that I've worked with many clients creating web sites and brands. Taking a business with no web presence or brand to something fantastic and seeing the response and results from their customers is incredible. One of my big clients from last year had a very basic web site. Since we've completely revamped it and help create their brand their business has thrived and their sales are through the roof.  I love helping businesses "be all that they can be" and stand out amongst their competitors.


Each time a start up company comes to me with their ideas, I'm immediately reminded of the excitement I felt when I first started my own business. It's thrilling to be a part of someone's beginning and hopefully success. In a sense I am responsible for creating their image. It's a beautiful thing. You make such bonds and build relationships with wonderful people. You also learn a lot about products and businesses you would've otherwise never knew existed. (I.E. assault rifles, cattle, dermatology, roller derby and the list goes on lol)

Where I am at now, is somewhat of my ultimate dream come true, to own my own brick and mortar business. The fact that I can combine my love for design and vintage clothing into one location is incredible to me. Though they are two separate businesses technically,I like to think that Gypsy Beard Studio is a bit like Andy Warhol's factory, minus the drugs and shenanigans lol...) I get to use my love for blogging and photography on a daily basis as well to help promote my business and work. It couldn't get much better honestly.

I still have a very long ways to go. By no means do I have any of my crap together. Running a business is very new to me. I'm not making ridiculous amounts of money and there's no way I could support myself 100% yet. Since my store has only been open 2 months, there is very little profit involved with overhead costs and I don't expect there to be just yet. It's a constant battle of trying to build my customer base, advertise and bring in more products. But I'm heading in the right direction and I love what I am doing with all of my heart. Can one really complain about that? I think not.

Now if I could just figure out this work/life balance...... lol

What is your story? What is your passion for? I'd love to hear! Leave a comment!

 

I've done a lot of soul searching lately about who I am as a blogger and what I'm putting out into the world. Being genuine and writing great content are the most important things about blogging and I feel like I've been lacking in that, and maybe I've never really known how to put myself out there correctly. Either way, I decided to take part in Alex Beadon's Feel Good Blogging Challenge. The goal is to find your blogging self and writing great content.It just started so there's plenty of time to jump on board if you are interested in pushing yourself as a blogger and meeting fantastic people!





1. Who are you?

I'm Kat! Hi! I'm an almost 25 year old east Texas gal.  I have one awesome son named Conrad and a pretty swell boyfriend. I am a graphic & web designer and I recently opened a vintage boutique and design studio called Gypsy Beard Studio. I'm a bit of a cat lady but I also love my boston terrier Lola. When I'm not consumed with work and Netflix, I love to travel as much as possible and rummage around flea markets and antique stores.


2. Why did you start blogging?

I began blogging are a creative outlet. I've always loved inspiring blogs and wanted a place to call my own and share pretty things. I've never been much of a DIYer or fashionista but I've always appreciated pretty pictures, art, designs, fashion, colors, textures and of course cute animals. I've also never had many friends as I'm not the most social person. There were also never that many people around my age that shared my interests.  So blogging has allowed me to get out of my shell and meet like minded people, without actually dealing with the anxiety of small talk and impressions.

3. Who is your blog for?

I made it a point a long time to blog for myself, before anyone else. Originally, my blog was an inspiration board and day to day memory book of personal photos. Of course now I love to share things that I'm passionate about with others who share my tastes as well as showing my design work, photography and shop to potential customers or clients. So ideally, my "demographic" is people in their 20's and 30's who appreciate art, design, technology, fashion, travel and nerdy things.



4. What's something you've been working on lately that you are REALLY proud of?

I feel like lately all that I have done is work! Gypsy Beard Studio is my most recent accomplishment. I'm very proud to be able to say that I opened a shop on my own and am solely responsible for branding, marketing and managing it. Of course I have help a few days a week from my mom and boyfriend when I'm at my day job, but for the most part it is all my creation and sometimes burden. It's a lot of hard work and it is still very exhausting but it is slowly but surely paying off. 

I love meeting the people who come in my store, and even better when they truly appreciate what I am trying to accomplish. It's awesome to have created a space that others love and to make connections with people I wouldn't have otherwise met.


5. What's the message that you want people to take away from your blog?

I want people to be inspired and motivated when they leave my blog. Whether they learn something about starting a business or just get excited about my most recent photo shoot, I want them to find something that makes them want to get out and explore their world and make something beautiful.

I hope you enjoyed this and learned a little about me. I definitely can feel myself learning more about my blogging style and goals already.  If you decided to join in leave your blog link below in the comments!

 

1) What do you love about blogging?

2) Who is your favourite band/musician?

3) If you could have dinner with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?

I'd have to say Stanley Kubrick. I've always admired his creative aesthetic in film and photography. I'd just like to pick his brain and see where his inspiration comes from. OR Zooey Deschanel. I feel like we would hit it off quite well with our sarcastic personalities.

4) Do you like collecting? 

5) If you could have lived in any other time period, which would you choose, and why?