big, shiny, amazing, sassy-pants post of BIGNESS

This has been six months in the making. Six. Frakking. Months. And now that time has come, sweetpea. violetminded Design has just stepped itself into a whole new playing field.

come closer, lovely. let’s have story time. (bring cookies.)

I started violetminded Design in 2009. At the time, it was sheer desperation that spurred me into action. I was sick of working for someone else. Like, really sick of it. The job I’d had during the summer of 2009 was just… amazing. (Didn’t expect that, didja?) I worked as a resume-whisperer-job-coach-therapist (official title: client assistance officer) and I adored it. It was everything I could want in a job: fun, challenging, engaging, and really different from anything I’d ever done.

So when I had to quit, I was sad. I didn’t want another job, damn it. I wanted that job.

But it dawned on me.

Or rather, it hit me in the face like a sledgehammer.

Why am I pining for a job when I could just, y’know, create my own?

And so, violetminded was born.

2010: the year of the n00b

I took all the jobs in 2010. With everyone. (Including people that just weren’t my People.) I worked my ass off. I burnt out. I got pregnant. (No, really.) I slept for a month. I felt truly and entirely boned. (See what I did there?)

2011: the year of growing pains

I started to refine my process in 2011. I worked with some of the most amazing People in the world. I gave birth. I shut down violetminded for six months. I waited for my biznez to die a slow death due to neglect.

Thankfully, things really and truly took off in the fall of 2011. I solidified my intentions around Christmas. I sought out my Best People. I created some of the most beautiful sites and identities I’ve ever created. I’ve challenged myself to do things I’ve never done. (Like format an eBook in InDesign. In multiple formats. Julie Daley really took a chance on me for that one.)

Before I pressed the “LAUNCH THIS SHIT NOW” button… I did something crazy. Stupid, some would say.

I deleted my archives.

Everything. Every last post. Every page. Everything. Let me tell you why.

That writing wasn’t me. Never was, to be quite honest. It was just… corporate. Safe. Boring. Not at all the kind of person that you’d meet in real life. I’m not safe. Or corporate. And I sure as hell don’t do boring.

So I deleted it. I rounded up two years worth of natural SEO and linkbacks and everything… and then… trashed it.

and it felt so damn good.

Now that I got all of the cobwebs out of the nooks and crannies of this online space, it’s time to take a flying leap… into awesomeness.

2012: the year of abundance. (for me and for you.)

You saw it when you first came to the site — I think you are wonderful and were made for beautiful, amazing things. Your brilliance is just aching to burst forth and invade the hearts of your People. (Okay, maybe not invade. That seems kinda hostile. Unless you like it a little rough. *wink*)

All you need is a kick-ass platform to speak to your People.

That’s where me and mine come into the equation. I’m passionately devoted to each and every one of my clients. I’m wildly fond of them as human beings and genuinely believe in their goals, dreams, and hopes.

this is where I give you things.

That’s right, lovely. violetminded Design is ringing in 2012 with a ridiculously amazing giveaway. Like, ten weeks of giveaway.

Yep. You heard me. (Read me? Weird.)

Ten. Frakking. Weeks.

I’m going to be interviewing amazing people — some are clients, some aren’t — and they’re going to be graciously donating biznez-development products, services that will help you rock the hell out of your biznez, or things that will bring you delights and joys and unyielding happy-times.

Curious? Of course you are.

tomorrow, I kick off the ten week giveaway with an interview with Tanya Geisler.

Next week, I hang out with Catherine Caine. (She’s my biznez coach! No, really!)

Week after, Tara Gentile and I get Real about money.

And so on and so forth. If you want more information, you’ve gotta get on Ze List. I know, seems arbitrary but hey, I wanna know who you are! WE COULD BE FRIENDS. (Hey, it’s happened. You don’t even know.)

Finally, I just want to thank you. Yes you. Thank you for sticking with me, supporting me and the biznez, and loving me up over the last three years. I would not be here without you and everything you’ve done for me. Even if you’re new to all this violetminded craziness, you’re awesome.

Keep shining.