I took the weekend off so I'm bit behind on the Feel Good Blogging challenge. So sue me. haha.
 
I've been compiling a list of helpful & life changing resources for creative business owners and bloggers for quite some time now, with the intention of sharing with you all. Today's challenge was the perfect opportunity to put it out there.  I've known for quite some time now that my ultimate goal has been to "quit my day job" and start my own business. I've done tons of reading and researching the how's, the whats and the why's of it all. It's scary and exhilarating taking the plunge so I'm happy to share some of the incredible blogs, apps, books and people that have pep talked, inspired and taught me along the way.

Apps - These are random apps that have come in handy so often! Whether your keeping up with hours, making lists or blogging, these apps have really enhanced my work flow and creativity!

Any.do - I love making lists, and so far this is my favorite. I like that it syncs with you account online so that you can access it from your computer or phone.
What The Font -  Imagine seeing a cool sign or lettering on a book. This app let's you take a picture of the fonts and helps you identify them!
Scanner Pro - How many times have you needed something scanned but didn't have access to a scanner?
Fax Burner - Need to fax said scanned documnet? lol Another handy office function. If you are a freelancer or you work from home, a fax machine may not be in your budget.  This comes in handy!

Blogs - These are blogs and people that I follow on a weekly basis for business, marketing and design inspiration, advice and tutorials.

Alex Beadon (of course!)
Braid Creative
Marie Forreleo
 Love Grows Design

 
Books - If you are business owner, blogger or freelancer, all of these books are incredible. From advice about financial issues to creative exercises and inspiration these books are absolutely a must!

1. Creative Inc
2. How To Blog For Profit Without Selling Your Soul
3. My So Called Freelance Life
4. Grow Your Handmade Business
5. The Handmade Marketplace
6. The Anti 9 To 5 Guide 

Do you have any blogs, books or resources that you'd recommend? I'm always on the look out for new and inspiring things!

As part of the Feel Good Blogging challenge, I'm sharing 10 things about me that you don't know. I didn't skip challenge 3, don't worry. I'll be posting it tomorrow.  I don't share a ton of personal things on the blog so I'm both relieved and nervous to finally be doing so!

•  I've never had a manicure or pedicure. I know right??
•  I talk to my cat when I'm alone at home and he loves it.
• As much as I love to travel and the idea of traveling, I've only been to 3 states outside of Texas: Arkansas, Oklahoma & Louisiana.
• My guilty pleasures in TV are the cheesy romantic dramas like The Vampire Diaries and Reign.
•  I procrastinate in nearly ever aspect of my life until the very last minute and then rush to get things done.
•  I eat beans and/or rice with nearly every meal because I can't stop myself.
• In high school I was on the volleyball team and could serve like a mad woman. Really! I was good!
• I'm really bad about being consistent with things like bed times, chores, and dinner times. We have no structure or schedule to our lives. ><
•  One of the happiest times of my life so far was being in theater in high school.
•  90% of the time my car is full of junk, clothes and things that will be re-purposed or sold in my shop. 

What are some things that others may not know about you? Join in on the challenge with me! I'd love to follow your journey!  Happy Friday everyone!

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!