Why I Became a Squarespace Website Designer
Curious about how I became a Squarespace website designer?
Well grab a cup of coffee (or wine), take a seat, and get ready...because I’m excited to dive into this personal topic a little more on my blog.
I’ve got tons of Squarespace design tips, especially on SEO, or search engine optimization. But this post is about my story.
Let’s dive in...
I felt lost at my 9-5
Let’s go back a little bit, shall we?
Growing up, I fell victim to the mentality that you had to work like crazy to live a decent life.
I worked really hard to get straight A’s in high school.
I busted my ass in college (to the point of having chest pains due to stress) - landed an executive board position for 2 clubs, held a job, completed 8 internships, graduated a semester early, AND got a 4.0, which earned me a “shiny” gold robe on graduation day.
I was the definition of an over achiever…
When I graduated college, I got a job at a digital marketing and SEO agency in Upstate N.Y.
On the surface, it was this exciting new career learning SEO. We had 3:30pm Friday happy hours, fun company holiday parties, and an overall great work culture.
I worked on celebrity accounts and saw some of the inner workings of campaigns for some of the country’s biggest brands - something I never dreamed of doing outside of NYC.
Nine months in, reality struck and I realized I needed an extra income source.
If I was going to finance my 2.5 week backpacking trip with my best friend from high school, I needed to supplement my $30K salary from my 9-5.
I got a second job at the local YMCA as a member services representative behind the front desk. The position was (surprisingly) complicated, people were rude during rush hours, and the shifts were late.
Juggling the two jobs was tough, and I would look in the mirror when I returned home and feel that I didn’t recognize myself.
I felt like I was sleepwalking through my life.
Suck it up, I would tell myself. This is life.
A week before getting on a plane to Europe, I had my first and only panic attack.
I had cracked.
By this point, I had found out about the online business world.
I knew I was capable of so much more. And worth more than my shitty salary.
This brings me to my next point….
I realized I had a hidden passion for design
In June 2017, I came across the Bucketlist Bombshells in a Facebook ad. Their masterclass was all about how millennial women can learn online skills to start their own freelance businesses through their online courses.
I was floored.
I thought in order to earn money, you had to have a college degree in the subject or have 10 years of experience under your belt.
The idea of starting my own business consumed me, and it was all I could think about.
I never thought I was talented enough in graphic design to do it for other people, but I was wrong.
A month later in July 2017, I quit my YMCA job to take this leap of faith and purchased the Bucketlist Bombshells courses.
From then on, I was obsessed with graphic design. I would go into work early so I could leave early and come home to jump on my laptop.
I would sit there for hours on end, including the weekends, for 10 months as I completed the courses, started working with clients, and learned the basics of business.
Throughout that time, I became obsessed with Squarespace and website design as well. I knew that with my SEO experience, this was an area that I could truly help my clients with.
And I also realized that few other Squarespace website designers really understood the basics of search engine optimization, which is why I offer 1:1 SEO services and a course on the topic now.
In August 2018 I invested in Paige Brunton’s Square Secrets course, which is all about building a Squarespace website from scratch. That was a game changer and from there, I started building websites for coaches and creatives.
To date, I’ve built more than 50 Squarespace websites.
[If you’re thinking of becoming a Squarespace website designer, I highly recommend her course and her Square Secrets Business course as well.]
Anyway, back to my story...
I wanted my work to have purpose
I wanted to be able to use my gifts and passions to change lives and businesses.
At my 9-5, the work was very reactive. In a nutshell, my job was to push down negative search results to make a person or brand’s online presence (specifically on Google) look more positive.
Over time, I felt that my daily efforts were not fulfilling me at all. I was relying on my volunteer position at the local Make-A-Wish chapter to bring me joy and fulfillment.
I realized I needed more from my career because sitting behind a desk for 40 hours a week with a lack of purpose is not a way to live.
Becoming a brand and Squarespace website designer was the answer.
The work I do with my clients now is the complete opposite.
👉 Instead of waiting a year to see results, my clients are handed tangible items - a visual brand identity and a new website.
👉 Instead of trying to bury negative search results through SEO tactics, I help my clients climb out of the abyss of Google so they can get seen by their ideal clients.
👉 Instead of working with massive brands and high profile clients, I’m working with women just like me. Women who have built their business from the ground up with their heart and soul. Women who also wanted to leave their mark on this world with meaningful work.
And it’s truly a gift to be able to elevate their brand through my services.
I wanted to be a digital nomad and travel the world
Before watching the Bucketlist Bombshells webinar, I had no idea that people were building businesses from their laptop in Bali.
Umm sign me up!!
I thought you had to be a travel blogger in order to see the world.
Traveling to eight cities across Europe with my best friend gave me a new sense of adventure and made me realize that I wanted to design a life that gave me the freedom to work and travel at the same time.
So starting a business as a brand and Squarespace website designer was my way to escape the 2.5 weeks of vacation I got a year at my 9-5 job.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any crazy travel stories yet to share. However, I am happy to say that I’ve gone back to Europe twice since my first trip in 2017.
I was planning to go to Europe in March 2020, but then Covid struck and kept me where I am. I’m hopeful that when 2021 comes around, I’ll be able to jet set off somewhere exciting.
Stay posted on that ;)
Growing up, I never saw myself as an entrepreneur. But I knew it was my calling.
This journey hasn't been easy, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
When you have that little voice in your head that tells you you’re meant for more than the life you’re currently living, it’s worth listening to.
Looking to bring on a Squarespace website designer to give your business a new facelift? I love helping coaches and creatives bring their dream vision to life on the screen - one that will connect with dream clients and lead to more sales.
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