Bio
I am a web developer and designer. I haven’t been in the field for very long, but I’ve been learning it as fast and hard as possible! I currently work as a developer at Real Big Marketing and also make plugins in my spare time. I love developing and designing for the web and I hope to be able to do it for a long time.
Why do you use WordPress?
Why wouldn’t I? WordPress has everything anyone could ask for from a CMS. It has ease-of-use, flexibility, powerful tools, great security, and a talented team of developers always making it better.
When and how did you start using WordPress?
“It was a dark, stormy night of mid 2013. Okay… maybe not dark and stormy, but it was mid 2013. I began to use it out of necessity for the job I was in, and to be honest, I didn’t like it at first!
“”What is this? This dumb software just keeps stripping out all of the HTML I copy/pasted in!””
Needless to say, once I started learning the proper way to use it, and how powerful the customization options are, I never looked back.”
What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?
“The average web developer in Michigan brings in around 60K + a year…
…Okay there’s more to it than that! The WordPress community is absolutely amazing. There’s no better place to network and meet new, great people. Developing friendships and websites at the same time, what’s better?”
Tell us about something awesome you’ve experienced at a WordCamp in the past.
I’ve learned so much. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m a better developer because of WordCamps. I always learn new things.
Give an example of a cool WordPress project you have worked on recently.
Me and the lead developer at Real Big Marketing are working on a plugin called Client Dash. It allows complete webmaster control of the admin UX for clients. It’s pretty neat.
What is your favorite part of WordCamps?
“The community.
(sometimes the food…)”
What advice do you have for anyone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?
There’s no doubt that you have the ability. WordPress can be the platform of a business from the individual who does no programming, to the one who does it every day. And it’s free!
Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related.
I love music. I play drums, guitar, piano, and I sing, and it’s my not-so-secret dream to be able to make a living off of it someday… or at least 50/50 with my web development!
Name someone in the WordPress community who inspires you.
Cory Miller.
What has been your biggest WordPress related accomplishment to date?
Hard to say. Probably the fact that for the first time in my life, I love my job.
How have WordCamps impacted you and your business in the past?
They’ve allowed me to grow as a developer and network with a ton of incredible people who have inspired me to go further.
Fill in the blank for other attendees: “If you __________ then you should come talk to me at WordCamp”.
Love pizza…. and WordPress development,
What should someone learn before attending your talk at WordCamp Ann Arbor?
The basics of WordPress action hooks and basic theme / plugin development, though I’m sure everyone can gain SOMETHING from the talk.
What is your favorite WordPress related resource?
Well, right now I have to be non-original and say the WordPress codex.