This year has been an absolute whirlwind already, but in the best possible way.

Back in 1996, when the web was still young and GeoCities was a thing, I decided that I wanted learn how to make a website. So I picked up a beginner HTML book, taught myself to code and carved out a tiny spot on the web. I can still remember the sheer excitement of seeing my code come to life. It was like magic, and I knew right then and there — at 12 years old — that this was the path I wanted to pursue.

In 2004, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Virginia College’s Web Design program, where my creativity flourished. Every single day brought new knowledge, and each new skill unlocked a world of possibilities in my mind. I poured my heart and soul into my own blog, constantly tweaking and improving it as I learned more about web development.

From way back in my VC days all the way through today I’ve had the privilege of working for several different firms all over the country: from the West Coast to the Ozarks, and some across the Southeast. But then, as life tends to do, I hit some roadblocks along the way. Some work experiences left me feeling uninspired and drained of my passion. I lost that spark that used to drive me, and I felt like I was just going through the motions.

But this year, things have changed. I have been given some new and exciting opportunities and have been able to collaborate with new amazing people, including working alongside my wife on some exciting passion projects of one of our friends! The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, and I feel like I’m finally back in the zone. My mind is once again constantly buzzing with ideas, and I feel that insatiable desire to learn and grow once again.

Speaking of my wife, she has been an incredible support system throughout this journey. Her eye for design is spot-on, and she’s not afraid to give me honest feedback when I need it. I am so grateful for her and her unwavering support. She is my soulmate, my favorite human.

I am so very thankful to have found my creative spark again. It’s been almost 20 years since I felt this passionate about my work, and I’m excited to see where this renewed energy takes me throughout the rest of 2023 and beyond.