Wheeeeeew….. it’s been a long time since I updated this thing.  I’ve been kept so consistently busy that this blog was the last thing on my list.  Thanks, thanks, thanks to all the clients who have kept me running constantly caffinated and working like a dog — you guys are great.

I’ve also added a number of new projects to the portfolio, including:

• Steps to Success / MyKPIs — a cool web app that crunches numbers for auto service centers and helps them improve their bottom line.  See more at shopkpis.com
• My Business, My Mission — Christian Reformed Church organization that helps people in developing countries start businesses and sustain them, building wealth in impoverished areas.  Check it out at mybusiness-mymission.com
• KSB Links and KSB Promotions — Twin sites for a book promotions company, really cool and in depth, utilizing my content management system and lots of other fun doodads.  Have a look at ksblinks.com and ksbpromotions.com
• 1st American Leasing — I built this one for a Grand Rapids, MI-based equipment leasing company, and included a full vendor side with reporting and lots of other utes.  Site is at 1stamleasing.com
• PhotoPriceQuotes — one-half of a photographer referral site that matches clients up with photography professionals in their area.  Look for photographerLeads.com coming soon.  Visit the site at photopricequotes.com

And finally, Liz and I got a new place in Portland, a very cute upper-floor apartment on the NE side.  Will put pics up on Flickr soon — promise!

-TY

Eric: So you’re still in Montana right?

me: Yeah. We really wanna get to pdx.

Eric: yea, all those hippies too boring for you?

me: Theyre all college students here…. there’s too many frat boys at the bar.

Eric: ew
that sucks

me: Yeah, they are dumb.
Like stumps

Eric: yea, they’re the people that wont understand ericcheadleismymancandy.com
but they don’t have to
because their moms and girlfriends will

So here’s what I sent to my clients to let them know what was going on this week:

As of September 5, I am no longer with Meijer as a Senior Content Designer and Project Manager.  I have struck out on my own and am working hard to make a go of a career as an independent web designer and entrepreneur.  This path is not the easiest, but the satisfaction of doing what I love all day, every day and the challenge of small business ownership makes this the most satisfying career path I could imagine.

 

In addition, my wife Liz and I are preparing for a move to Missoula, Montana for three months and then will head to a more permanent home in Portland, Oregon.  We are very excited to take this step and are looking forward to the active outdoor lifestyle and incredible natural beauty of the Western U.S.

 

That said, I am still planning on being actively involved with my Michigan clients and being your go-to guy for all your web needs, despite my westward trek.  If you have any concerns about our new working arrangement, please don’t hesitate to call or email.  I’d love to sit down with you and discuss the future of your site and your needs as a business if you like.

 That’s about it, the summary of the next year or so.  Wish us luck!

Oh, so pretty.

Amped Tyler alert: I just picked up a new Trek 1.2 road bike from Speed Merchants in Rockford, MI and I couldn’t be more amped.  This may be just an entry-level bike, but compared with what I was riding it’s smooth as silk and five times as fast.

Also, we’re heading to Missoula, Montana for 3 months, arriving on October 13.  I’ve been looking it up and this city of almost 1 million souls seems really cool.  Not to far from great snowboarding, many miles of bike trails, and within a few hours of Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.  Sounds pretty rad if you ask me.  We’re getting prepped to go, then head to Portland not too soon after that.

Now, I know what you’re thinking — how do I get my web needs taken care of with you in Montana? Never fear folks, I’ll be checking in with each and every one of you to be sure we have you covered in the lead up to my leaving, and to set up processes to ensure a smooth transition to our new working arrangement.

So, I was just asked to do a site for The Rotors, a band from St. Paul, Minnesota.  I’m really rather excited, as I haven’t done a band website since doing the site for my band, Bonzai, when I was like 16.  (And no, you can’t see that — it’s long gone, thank God.) 

In other news, I just did the “photorealistic” tutorial at SixThings and I think it was one of the most satisfying tutorials I’ve done in quote a while.  Check out the results:

Not perfect, but I’m digging it.  Anyway, more later. 

-TY