From MS Paint to WordPress: My Journey to Building a Web Design Studio
How does a kid experimenting with cassette covers end up building a top-rated web design studio? The journey wasn’t exactly straightforward, but every step was worth it.
The First Spark: A Commodore C64 and a Dream
My journey with computers began in 1986 when I was just nine years old. My parents brought home a Commodore C64, complete with a cassette tape player to run programs. It was slow, but to me, it felt like magic.
Later, my uncle, who worked at Ford Germany, let me use his PC, where I discovered MS Paint. The black-and-green interface was mesmerizing, and I spent hours drawing, amazed at the creative possibilities this machine offered.
Dial-Up Internet and DIY Design
Fast forward to 1995, when I got my first PC—an AMD 486—and connected to the internet using a 54K dial-up modem. That dial-up tone still lingers in my memory. Downloading a single 4MB MP3 file took 10 minutes, but I didn’t mind. I was busy being an aspiring DJ, recording mix tapes, and designing custom covers and tracklists using MS Paint.
These small creative projects sparked a love for digital design. I even built my first website using a multi-CD HTML creator software. It wasn’t much, but it was mine. Over time, I started creating websites for friends using Adobe Fireworks and Dreamweaver, though it remained a hobby at the time.
From Hobby to Side Hustle
In 2014, everything changed. After being laid off from my job of eight years, I decided to teach myself WordPress. Building my first WordPress site opened up a world of possibilities, and soon, friends like Passerelle Public Affairs started approaching me for web design help.
Those early clients—friends who believed in me—gave me the confidence to explore this further. I am eternally grateful for their trust, as it planted the seeds for what would eventually become my full-time career.
The Leap to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
In 2019, after another layoff, I knew it was time to take the leap. I launched Symphonic Design with the goal of creating personalized, partnership-driven web solutions. It wasn’t easy. Working solo meant I had to master everything—from client management to marketing.
But over time, word-of-mouth referrals helped me build a solid reputation. Clients appreciated my focus on simplicity, professionalism, and a personal touch, which became the foundation of my business.
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Overcoming Challenges
Running a one-person studio comes with its challenges. Fierce competition and the difficulty of business development often test my patience. Success in business development doesn’t come overnight, and I’ve learned that perseverance is key.
For example, one client, ACCIS, only came on board after a year of friendly, consistent follow-ups. I didn’t push or hard sell; I simply stayed in touch. That relationship eventually turned into a meaningful project, proving the value of persistence.
Key Lessons from My Journey
Celebrating Milestones: A Top-Rated Studio
Recently, Symphonic Design was listed as one of the top-scoring and best-reviewed web design agencies on DesignRush. For a one-person operation like mine, this recognition means the world. It’s proof that with passion, perseverance, and a focus on client success, small businesses can achieve big things.
A Heartfelt Thank You
To everyone who believed in me—from my early days designing cassette covers to now—thank you. Your trust and support are the reason I get to do what I love every day.
Looking Ahead
Are you ready to elevate your digital presence and bring your vision to life? Let’s create something extraordinary—together.
?? Let’s connect or visit Symphonic Design on DesignRush.