I’ve considered starting a blog for several years, and I’m finally doing just that. This is a digital space that will act as a canvas for my thoughts, ideas, experiences, and aspirations. It’s a space that’s mainly meant for me, but is accessible to anyone interested.
I will capture my growth as an individual, an entrepreneur, and as someone who is constantly looking to improve my relationship with those I love. Thank you for swinging by and taking a peak – here’s some wine and pistachios. Make yourself at home and feel free to walk in and out as you please. Do you use the bidet or avoid it at all costs? 👀
Perspectives on Thought
The people closest to me, and anyone I’ve been in a relationship know this, but I’m very motivated by death. The fact that everyone alive right now, at this very moment, all 8 billion of you, will cease to exist in 120 years, motivates the hell out of me. We’re all heading the same direction, and will likely be forgotten a century after we croak.
I’m not having an existential crisis (…or am I?) – this train of thought puts so much into perspective. There’s a finite amount of time to fall and stay in love (five years strong, y’all), to launch the many business ideas that currently live in my mind, to form a stronger connection with my loved ones, to run those marathons, scale a rock walls (I’m definitely not about that life), get over fears, drive cross country, and be your true self without fear of judgment.
Things that interest me these days
Years ago, this list would’ve been heavy on technology, gaming, concerts, and other hobbies that border-lined fun addictions at the time.
- AI + Automation (15% of my day is practically powered by ChatGTP)
- ADHD Systems (diagnosed last year, medicated, excited to share tools and systems)
- My Businesses (I am launching an agency for print, design, signage, and web services)
- Audiobooks (usually, I read or listen to one book per year. Last year that shot up to 25.)
- Politics (left leaning, and contemplating launching Biden-related project, but likely won’t)
- French (actively working towards A2 level and beyond)
- Cooking (I learned how to cook during the pandemic, and will be sharing dishes on here)
- Travel (all the work being poured into my business will lead to more of this)
- Stronger Bonds (maintaining meaningful connections, building new ones)
- Therapy & Habit Building (tapping into the past has helped steer the ship)
What I did for work prior to July 2023
If you’re reading this, you probably have no idea about what the heck I do for work, or where I work. It’s something I’ve always kept close to the chest, which completely goes against “prospective on thought” part of this post. That said, for over seven years, I was a graphic designer at a shop in Queens called Village Signs. The entire team (past and present) does amazing work, and I learned so much during my time there. Don’t forget to peek at the reviews. 😉
The location caught fire in June of last year, and that was my last week working with that company. While there, I had the pleasure of working on thousands of projects and hundreds of clients. Clients ranged from small mom and pop shops seizing a good opportunity (and often times growing into larger companies), established businesses seeking new ways to market to their audiences, and large monolithic orgs (Bloomingdales, Intrepid Museum, etc.) who put their trust in us. Every single client faced a problem, and it brought pure joy providing them with a solution, often times one that exceeded expectations.
I’m proud of the many projects that were completed over the course of seven years – along with the relationships built over time with my collogues, my employer, and clients. I’m avoiding specific names to respect privacy, but this company was held together by one of the most unique, honest, motivated and blunt individuals I’ve met, who started from the bottom and built something great. I may not be a part of that company as an employee since then, but we’ve developed friendships that continue to thrive. Most of my co-workers were highly skilled, and it was an environment that felt like home, but this new path has given me the chance to grow in a way that is more flexible.
What I do for work after July 2023
Short answer: I started a design agency (to be named/launched in an upcoming post), and I don’t freelance. After the fire that ended my full-time job, and pulled the rug of comfort and stability, I scrambled to move forward. I have a strong track record of successful entrepreneurship, but an equal record of projects that did not succeed (that I learned from).
That week, and for many weeks after that, I worked 60 hours per week on the website for my new business. That’s down to about 30-40 hours these days, and rising. Currently, the business has 72 paid invoices, with double-digit growth in month-to-month revenue during the last three months, which makes me super happy. The first few months were difficult, and it’s still not all roses, but life is closer to what I would like for it to be every week.
This has been my business trajectory:
- Come up with company name.
- Register LLC .
- Articles of incorporation .
- Submit newspaper articles.
- Get EIN.
- Certificate of Authority.
- Open business checking + savings.
- Register eFax number.
- Find a CPA for quarterly taxes.
- File quarterly taxes.
- Register for invoicing software.
- Register domain names.
- Register for web hosting.
- Register for Google Workspace.
- Get a new business phone number.
- Get checks for business.
- Pay self with checks.
- Sign up for a dedicated mailbox at UPS location in Brooklyn.
- Come up with name for Project 1 (design agency).
- Design company logo.
- Start working on website.
- Register company email.
- Create awesome signature for email.
- Design and print business cards + materials for company.
- Register name on 6 social media platforms.
- Sign up for software that posts on all platforms.
- Register for Customer Relationship Management service.
- Sign up for project management software.
- Start a notion page dedicated to business ideas, status, etc.
- Register for materials supplier account.
- Partner with 20 printers across North America.
- Send W-9 forms to Independent contractors .
- Send first estimates.
- Send first invoices.
That’s the entire trajectory of my business, so far. All the website bits have taken the longest, but I’m content with the way it’s all shaping up. There’s more demand than supply right now, and I want to scale.
Work (continued). Here’s what I’m going to do next:
- Speak to more independent contractors for web design + graphic design work.
- Sign up for payroll provider.
- Sign up for 401k services for future employees.
- Create list of businesses to target per holiday using AI.
- Begin Spring B2B marketing efforts.
- Get certified as a Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise.
- Sign up for a vendor account with the DOE and city agencies.
- Upgrade product pages on the website.
- Add new product to website.
- Complete client portal where customers can track invoices, final designs, get status updates, ask questions, and more.
- Launch Project 1 officially.
- Improve pages on Project 2.
- Launch Project 2.
- Integrate Project 1 and 2.
- Begin marketing push on Linked In and Google Ads.
- Look into healthcare benefits for employees.
- Hire full-time graphic designer.
- Hire dedicated sales person.
- Hire project manager.
- Hire administrator.
- Continue to scale.
Even though the business is on its 72nd invoice (I’m absolutely going to binge on Colombian pandebono’s in celebration when we reach 100), it has not officially launched. I am gearing up to begin marketing efforts shortly, with this personal blog bring the start of that, along with big upgrades to the current site. I have been fortunate to have the support of my amazing partner, Julia, who’s been there for moral support, great friends who’ve moved the needle forward (shout out to Mona, Amanda, Kristie), and the many business owners who have trusted me with their work so far.
About me, at 36
Holy shit, I’m 36. I am a graphics designer, web developer, and entrepreneur who’s lived in New York for far too long. 😅 I moved to Jackson Heights last year and love everything about the neighborhood, the food, the community, and place my partner and I live in. At some point, we are destined to move to Los Angeles to get closer to family (the amazing weather, slower vibe, and potential opportunities don’t hurt), and it’s been a long time coming.
This year, my emphasis is on the growth of my business, healthier habits, discovering new tools for ADHD, spending more quality time in my relationship and with family and friends, and really leaning into the fact that our time is finite, and making that time count.
Welp, the ultra-classic Dominican breakfast, ‘Los tres golpes’, is being delivered by Edwin, at 10:21pm , and he’s a minute away, so I’m ending this post here. Until next time.
