Thank You
It's been a week since the launch of my new online space, emilybode.com. Thank you for all of your kind words on the design and your support, encouragement, and questions over the 4-week process of getting this space all set up.
As is common with any project you put your heart into, it's been a whirlwind of tasks and deadlines to have this space align with the vision I saw for it in my head. I'm happy, proud, and grateful that it's turned out better than my original vision. I couldn't have done it alone. Asking for help will bring it to you 10 times stronger if you're open to receiving it.
Thank you to:
Photo via Poppy Rose Co.
Jess of Poppy Rose Creative
Jess is my right-hand woman. She tackled tasks like a boss while listening to my weekly emotional breakdowns and encouraging me to finish what I started. "The idea is good Em, now you just need to execute it". I'm in awe of how she juggles my endless stream of ideas and keeps me on track while navigating her way through Motherhood and starting her freelance writing business. Thanks, Jess!
Justin, web developer
Justin came to my rescue halfway through migrating all of my content from Brave Girl to this new space. Basically, I F'ed it up trying to do behind-the-scenes web development work to save some money and was facing spending a lot more money for someone to fix my mistake. The day before the 4th of July break Justin solved it with an ease and calm that I've admired in him since our design school days. Thank you, Justin.
Station Seven, Wordpress templates
Mike & Brittni of Station Seven are to thank for the structure of this site and isn't it lovely? It's all their genius. Not only do they have a keen eye for website design (see their Wordpress and Squarespace templates) but their customer service is TOP NOTCH. They did the install and set-up for me which was a huge stress reliever. I highly recommend paying a bit more for this service if anyone is looking to refresh their blog template. Can't recommend them enough to do the heavy-lifting seamlessly.
Seriously I've learned so much with this rebrand by simply Google'ing stuff. There are things I couldn't have been prepared for, like finding the special code of a blog post to get it to show up on the "popular posts" sidebar, that was quickly answered with a Google search. DIY is so much easier this way.
Photo via Leigh Ann Cobb Photo
Kherington of Currently Kherington
Kherington is a fellow blogger and business owner who I often co-work with. She's also the lady hanging with me in most of my new brand photos around here! She was so encouraging to me during this process to keep going and reminded me this was a good thing to do even though it felt messy at the moment. She rebranded her blog a year ago and wrote great insights she learned when pivoting. I highly recommend reading it if looking to rebrand! Thank you Kherington for always being there to share blog tips, vent, and inspire me.
Leigh Ann Cobb Photography
Leigh Ann is to thank for all the new brand photos you see on each of my site pages like the About, Newsletter, and Contact sections. Kherington and I came to her with a vision early in the summer to do a shoot of women working in a coffee shop. I wanted a very imperfect, raw, and warm vibe to the photos and she knocked it out of the park.
Mom
I reference my mom a lot around here and on my Instagram not only as my mother but as an artist. She deeply understands what it means to be one and be in a constant state of self-discovery. She's taught me so much and is open with me about her experiences and her artwork. She's listened patiently and intently for the last 2 years when I first started considering rebranding. I feel lucky to have her to turn to with things like this. Thank you always, Mom.
Jake
My brother Jake has also been a patient sounding board to me through this process. He has a great eye for design and is honest with me if things in my writing aren't making sense (I mean he is flicking me off in this picture). He challenges me and pushes me to be more inclusive. A lot of discussions we've had played a big role in changing my blog name. I was only acknowledging female creatives and he continued to remind me it isn't "us against them". There are plenty of men questioning the very same challenges in our society who want to support and uplift women. Sometimes we women don't let them. I know this is a layered topic right now but in my inner circle, in particular, I agree with him often. Thank you Jake, for inspiring me to back my shit up and challenge my perspective.
Joel
Saving the best for last for my husband Joel, the one who is with me day in and day out. He encouraged me 5 years ago to publish my first post on Brave Girl. From the very beginning, he's challenged me to follow my urges and be completely myself. He knows tough love is what I need to stop talking and start doing and he's tirelessly listened to every idea, project, and passion I've ever had and treats each with unwavering support. He is my rock, the man behind the scenes looking for no thanks or applause yet showing up anyway. I will always embarrassingly give you the credit you deserve, my Love. Thank you for this and so much more.
“We all begin the process before we are ready, before we are strong enough, before we know enough; we begin a dialogue with thoughts and feelings that both tickle and thunder within us. We respond before we know how to speak the language, before we know all the answers, and before we know exactly to whom we’re speaking.”
You!
And finally thank you to you, for reading my writing. For the wonderful chats we have in person about creativity and life and equally the ones we have via email and social channels. I've learned a lot. Most importantly, I've learned to begin before you have the answers. Before you know if anyone is listening. I hope this space encourages you to explore this for yourself.
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xo, Em
