One slow evening after work, I was on the hunt for a job that could use my computer science degree and/or church ministry experience. That’s when I stumbled across the perfect listing: Web Designer for Churches. This job was made for me.
There was one small problem. I didn’t have much web design experience, and I definitely didn’t have a portfolio ready to go.
So, I got to work. Over the next month, I built my first portfolio website from scratch, figuring out domain names, free hosting, and all the little things that make a website. I knew this could be a long road, so I started an Instagram account to document my progress.
Without any promotion, the algorithm started pushing my posts to friends and local businesses, and before I knew it, I had a small community cheering me on. I didn’t think I was doing anything special but people seemed to think otherwise.
By the time my portfolio was finally live, the web designer job had closed. I landed an interview for a similar role at a Christian ministry, but without much experience, I wasn’t the strongest candidate. Another interview for a UI/UX designer at my university came and went with no success. If I wanted to land a tech job, I needed to keep practicing.
My first two paid projects weren’t planned—or even wanted, really. I hadn’t set prices, built a business, or even called myself a web designer. I was just sharing my journey online, and people started reaching out, asking for help with their websites.
Did I feel ready? Not even a little.
But I took on a few clumsy projects, and slowly, I got better. Eventually, I tentatively set my prices at $200 per website and opened my doors for business. Shortly after, I moved from Montana to Salt Lake City, and that small side gig became my full-time focus.
Every project since has been a mix of learning, problem-solving, and pushing through imposter syndrome. But with each new site, it gets easier. I call myself a web designer now! Not because I have the perfect qualification, but because I have just enough skills to help people.
Turns out, success isn’t about viral marketing tricks or flashy sales tactics. It's literally about not quitting, doing the work, and helping people.
That’s what I do now—I say yes to helping people with their websites. And that’s enough.