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Krista is a WordPress developer, co-host of the Get Back To Design Podcast, and co-founder of Coded Creative Themes. She specializes in collaborating with passionate designers to craft strategic websites that directly support their clients’ goals, while helping them ditch the tech and spend more time doing what they love – design.
I’ve known Krista for a few years and have continued to watch her business and brand grow. We talk about how she went from a software developer to a business owner. She shares her experience in a high pressure, toxic, predominately male work environment. How that job led to her developing situationally anxiety and why that led her to really get her business off the ground.
In this episode we discuss:
- How she started KristaRae.co.
- When she realized that she didn’t have to do it all to be a successful developer.
- How she found her business partner and launched Coded Creative Themes.
- The biggest difference for her working as a business owner versus an employee.
- What the transition to entrepreneur looked like for her.
- Why you need to figure out what works for you and cut out the rest.
- Understanding your website isn’t just for you but for your clients.
- The most common issue she has as a developer and the importance of communications and boundaries.
Check out the episode here:
Enjoying the episode? Share it on Twitter:
[bctt tweet=”Being around toxic people can be draining no matter how much you love the work.” username=”Diadoll”]
[bctt tweet=”If you have an idea to start a project with someone else just ask them if they are interested. The worst thing they can say is, no.” username=”Diadoll”]
[bctt tweet=”Sometimes you find people who are just as crazy and ambitious as you are.” username=”Diadoll”]
[bctt tweet=”When you’re spreading yourself thin doing things that aren’t in your zone of genius, you’re adding extra stress. Why add extra stress?” username=”Diadoll”]
[bctt tweet=”You won’t be on a beach sipping drinks 24/7 as a business owner. You will still have to work hard and probably more than you ever have in your life.” username=”Diadoll”]
[bctt tweet=”Life is too short to not have fun.” username=”Diadoll”]
[bctt tweet=”Figure out what you need to make to leave your daytime job and start working.”]
[bctt tweet=”Referrals are where it’s at.” username=”Diadoll”]
[bctt tweet=”Stop focusing on what all these marketers are telling you to do. Look at where your clients and the money is coming from.” username=”HeyKristaRae”]
[bctt tweet=”You don’t need to hop on every bandwagon.” username=”HeyKristaRae”]
[bctt tweet=”Find a designer who can find the balance between what you like and what your clients like when picking your branding.” username=”HeyKristaRae”]
[bctt tweet=”Less really is more.” username=”Diadoll”]
[bctt tweet=”Set clear expectations because that is where relationships break down.” username=”HeyKristaRae”]
[bctt tweet=”You need to have a set system in place no matter what type of collaboration it is.” username=”HeyKristaRae”]
[bctt tweet=”Making someone like you makes them want to work with you. Talking face to face is the easiest way to do that.” username=”HeyKristaRae”]
[bctt tweet=”Make it happen!” username=”HeyKristaRae”]
[bctt tweet=”Give yourself free space to focus on the things you enjoy.” username=”HeyKristaRae”]
You can find Krista here:
Coded Creative
Get Back To Design Podcast
Instagram
Facebook group
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube
Facebook
From Mockup to Code – Mini Toolkit
Mentioned in this episode:
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Asana
Slack
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Thanks for listening! <3
Now tell me:
Have you ever taken on a project with another businesss owner? What lessons did it teach you about collaboration?
What is the best thing about working for yourself?
What is the hardest adjustment?
How do you decide what to cut out in your business?
How do you identify what is working?
Emily Michelle Fata
I’ve worked with friends in the past on small businesses, and it’s always gone well for me! Mind you, I only ever get into business with someone I can trust, and whose work ethic I know is the same as my own. 🙂
Megan Breukelman
I love working for myself on one of my side projects! Sometimes when you set your own deadlines, it gives you the ease to stretch them just a little bit when you’re not feeling 100% confident in it.
Lindsay
As the daughter of a small business owner, I truly appreciate all the food for thought you have provided here. Owning your own business can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires much harder work than most people anticipate. If you’re ready to give it your all, being your own boss is a fabulous step.
Sara Nichols
As a new blogger, and looking to grow my brand and this was really helpful for me. You are very knowledgeable!
Jenny
What a great episode! Krista is an inspiration 🙂 I’m subscribing to your podcast now.
Studer-Tüske Veronika
Thank you for the great tips. it was very useful
Joy Generoso
Thanks for sharing your tips. I haven’t tried collaborating with other business owners, but if I’ll I have some tips from you that I can refer to if in case.
Liz Gen | fatmoments.com
Delaine Myles
This is a very nice post I enjoyed it. Great tips very helpful definitely will try to use them
Delaine | http://delainemyles.com
Damilola Adeleye Daisy
Thanks for sharing this. It serves as a guide for me a new blogger who would want to expand her reach.
RebelSweetHrt
Great episode! Love these quotes that you shared! 🙂
Shell
The one thing I love most about working for myself is that I can work from home and be with my child… I am a full time caregiver to my sweet and amazing special needs child so the flexibility of working from home is very important for me…
Lisa Rios
Krista is so inspiring – I love these quotes from her episode and how she is empowered as a business owner.
Lavanda Michelle
This was very empowering and inspiring, I was taking notes! Great tips.
Patricia
What an inspiration! I just started trying to get collaborations with hotels and it’s taught me a lot about looking at things from everyone’s point of view.
Clare Liz - NinjaVAServices
“Stop focusing on what all these marketers are telling you to do. Look at where your clients and the money is coming from.” This is my new motto! Thank you for the inspiration, I got a lot of thought from this! 🙂
Vasundhra Singh
This is so inspiring and exactly what I wanted! It is so important to cut out what is not working in order to feel lighter!
Evelyn, Path of Presence
Thanks for this inspiring post! The best thing about working for myself is freedom and empowerment. What I miss most is daily interaction with “regular” co-workers. xo
Indypassionlady
How Inspirational! I love the last line… Make it Happen.
Dia
I get that. In my city there are a lot of coworking places. At then end of last year I joined a local group for women entrepreneurs and it’s been amazing.
Dia
Exactly! Life is too short to waste time on draining things you don’t have or need to do.
Dia
Yes! So much power to you Clare.
Dia
I think that is important. One thing I recently noticed is sometimes people ask me for things and I will be hesitant about asking for what I need in order to work with them. Then I remind myself that they came to me and would want to make it as easy as possible for me to help them.
Dia
Thanks for checking it out Lavanda.
Dia
Krista is one of my first business friends and I’ve learned so much from her just watching her business grow.
Dia
That is awesome you can be there with her. I’m sure she will appreciate that time for years to come.
Dia
Thanks so much for checking it out.
Dia
Good luck expanding your reach and thanks for checking out the episode.
Dia
Thanks, Delaine!
Dia
Thanks, Joy. I hope they come in handy one day.
Dia
Thank you for checking it out Veronika.
Dia
Awe! Thanks Jenny! You’re on my list of people I plan to reach out to in 2018 about being a guest.
Dia
Awe, thanks Sara!
Dia
I think it’s so important for people to realize there is good but it is hard work.
Dia
Yes, having some control over time is so great. Especially when life comes up and you need to make a change to the timetable.
Dia
That really is key. So many people just jump into partnerships without really feeling the other people out.