Three months ago, I left my job as the VP of Product Management and UX at a mid-sized software company. With it, I left a nice salary and lots of perks.
Why?
Well, for one thing, I lived four hours from my office and didn’t get to spend enough time with my family. Also, I wanted to have time to settle into our community, build some strong friendships, and get involved. (That’s hard to do when you’re gone most of the week and exhausted on the weekend.) Finally, I knew I needed to slow down. For me and for my family.
I left without having a job lined up. I figured I would start a small business where I could work from home and make just enough money to supplement my husband’s income (having family abroad does involve some additional cost!).
And that is exactly what I’ve done.
Introducing Web Gnomes
I am so thrilled to share with you that I have started a microbusiness with my dear friend, Steve Webb (one of the smartest people I know!). Steve and I met over a decade ago at Baylor University, where we were in the computer science program together. After graduation, we took different paths: Steve got a Ph.D. and worked at various startups, and I worked my way up the ladder in the enterprise software industry.
Through lots of hard work and burnouts, we both (independently) came to the realization that working all the time doesn’t make sense when one has only one life. With Web Gnomes, we are creating a business that values simple productivity, mindfulness, and giving back.
Web Gnomes offers Internet marketing services including a comprehensive SEO audit, user experience (UX) reviews, PPC management, SEO writing, and plain old expert SEO consulting. I’m not telling you this to sell you anything. Just so you know what I’m up to. It’s an exciting and growing field with lots of opportunity to make a difference.
Web Gnomes Gives Back
One of the things I love about having my own company is that I can do work that makes the world a better place.
Internet marketing? Better place?
Yes! We love working with companies and organizations who are doing great things in this world. For example, we recently conducted a free SEO audit for an educational non-profit. The recommendations we provided will enable them to reach further and provide their educational services to kids who might not know about them if it wasn’t for the Internet.
Pretty cool!
I Couldn’t Do It Without Simple Living
I am so thankful that I opened my heart to the concept of simple living four years ago. Doing so enabled our family to save the money required for me to do my own thing.
Without simple living, we may have spent our money on expensive clothes, too many purses and shoes, cool cars (I drive a 200o Toyota Echo), unnecessary electronic toys, and exotic vacations.
Without simple living, I would still be driving back and forth to my four-hours-away office, forsaking my family, and worrying about what I’m doing with my life.
I can’t emphasize enough the freedom that comes with letting go of stuff and embracing life.
Starting a microbusiness is exciting and a total leap of faith, but not as scary as it could be. I hope to hear from some of you about how simple living has helped you achieve your dreams!
I’d love it if you’d keep Web Gnomes in mind if you hear of a need for Internet marketing services. If you’re feeling especially benevolent, please check out our SEO Audit page and share the link with your social networks. Thanks!
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