( Read Part One – How I Found My Passion – Here )

I recall the first time I opened the CSS file and was certain that this may be the point in the learning curve where it was time to take a running leap back to the safe side of pretty graphics. There were more numbers, parentheses and symbols than my mind could process. With only 4 free templates in the market to choose from, the answer became crystal clear. My blog could not possibly be constrained to these 4 templates. So, just as I had in the past I jumped right in and promised not to look back, well maybe once or twice. I soaked up everything I could while exploring and celebrating each victory along the way. If I am telling the whole story here, I can’t in good faith omit the challenges encountered along the way. I will never forget ‘the white screen of death’ as I not-so-affectionately coined the blank display that would undoubtedly appear after an incorrect keystroke. Trial and error became my teacher, I learned best this way. As with most things I set my mind to, I caught on quickly and before too long was making my blog one of a kind. From buttons to header graphics to changing fonts and colors, there were monumental alterations taking place on my sweet little blog! Raise your hand if you remember blinkies? 😉

Armed with my new skills I began designing and creating left and right. Since I wasn’t living on post with my fellow Army Wives, I joined an online community and started making graphics for my new internet friends as well. I created a website, from the ground-up, to share my graphics with others. It was not uncommon for this site to crash regularly, but with each crash came more knowledge. It was not unusual for me to watch the sun come up with tired eyes scanning lines of code. I loved it. I started creating websites for others and took on my first paying job that year.

When I started this little endeavor it was supposed to merely pass the time while I waited to hear from my deployed husband, but in hindsight it did so much more.

The internet was full of masculine designs and in my nature I was longing for pink, for “feminine WordPress themes“. I was determined to remedy that situation.

I developed the Modern Blogger WordPress Theme (version 1 – Pro came later) and became the first crazy colorful, feminine WordPress theme designer to sell their designs on StudioPress as a third party. Modern Blogger was the number one selling theme on StudioPress for months. Feminine WordPress Themes were apparently in high demand and I was just the girl for the job.

Having started out blogging myself, I knew what functions I wanted my themes to include. I knew what photo sizes looked best, what colors paired well to accentuate content and focus on the words, the story, what I consider the glue of it all. I had a desire to empower others to customize their own sites as I had taught myself to do. Realizing many people are intimidated by the very lines of code that make me giddy, I create feminine wordpress themes that provide just as much function as they do flair. With each release I want to do better and better for you. I want to give you the best platform possible so you can follow your passion. There are so many women-owned businesses that do not have an online presence because websites seem daunting. I want to eliminate that barrier, and make the process fun. I was the first Pre-made Feminine WordPress Theme designer to dedicate my business to helping others create theirs. Just writing this makes my heart sing.

Thank the good Lord, Matt returned home from his deployment safely. This passion of mine became what got me through future deployments, trainings etc. and quickly turned into a thriving source of income. We have lived in Colorado, Hawaii, Texas twice, and now Maryland. Each stop along the way represents a milestone in our personal lives as well as this business adventure of mine. With each move, deployment, life event, web design has always been my creative outlet. I’ve always said without it I would be a lost soul and that could not be more true. The creative side of my business feeds my soul and that is something that cannot have a price tag affixed to it.

Later this week I will be posting the first interview in our brand new Customer Spotlight series, I cannot wait to start sharing your stories.

xo Lindsey