Introduction
In today's competitive landscape, building a web design business that not only thrives financially but also supports your lifestyle is an ambitious yet attainable goal. Recently, we had the pleasure of conversing with Jesse Showalter, a renowned designer, developer, and content creator, on how to craft a lifestyle-focused web design business. This blog captures the essence of that conversation and offers practical advice for aspiring web designers.
The Core Idea: Business Serving Life
Jesse Showalter’s philosophy is simple yet profound: build a business that serves your life, not the other way around. Jesse defines a lifestyle business as one intentionally designed to support your life rather than dictating it. He emphasizes the importance of finding satisfaction and joy in life by maintaining a harmonious balance between work and personal life.
Jesse’s Journey into Design
Jesse’s path to establishing a successful web design business was not straightforward. After leaving the military, he explored various creative careers, starting with graphic design and later transitioning to web and UI design. He initially took on any client or project he could find, mirroring the experiences of many budding designers. Over time, Jesse realized the need for a lifestyle business that allowed him more control over his time and priorities.
The Importance of Mentorship and Influences
Jesse credits much of his success to the wisdom of mentors and influential authors. From learning the value of wanting less from a life mentor to understanding the concept of a lifestyle business through Paul Boag, these insights shaped his approach. Books like "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek and "Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz provided additional guidance on aligning one's business with personal values and goals.
Defining a Lifestyle Business
According to Jesse, a lifestyle business is characterized by several key elements:
1. Freedom: Control over your time and the projects you take on.
2. Prioritization: Ability to decide what matters and adjust workload accordingly.
3. Flexibility: Freedom to choose your work environment and methods.
4. Balance: Harmonizing work with personal life.
5. Sustainability: Ensuring the business model is sustainable long-term.
Creating a Plan and Building Processes
Jesse outlines a three-step process for building a lifestyle business:
1. Assessment: Evaluate what truly matters to you. What are your goals? Why are you doing this work?
2. Planning: Develop a tangible business plan. Consider three different models that could work for your business and evaluate their potential.
3. Building Processes and Teams: Invest in automation and outsourcing to free up your time. Hire capable people to handle parts of the business that are repetitive or outside your expertise.
The Role of Failure in Success
Jesse stresses the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity. His philosophy of “you either win or you learn” encourages a mindset where setbacks are seen as valuable lessons that can lead to future success.
Teaching Business Skills to Kids
Jesse also discusses imparting business skills to his children through practical exercises, such as garage sale arbitrage and small entrepreneurial ventures. These activities teach valuable lessons about financial literacy, value, and the basics of entrepreneurship.
Combating Loneliness as a Freelancer
Freelancing can be isolating, but Jesse suggests finding community through mastermind groups, mentors, and peer connections. Being proactive in seeking out these relationships can provide invaluable support and camaraderie.
Conclusion
Building a lifestyle-focused web design business is a deliberate process that requires ongoing assessment, planning, and investing in the right tools and people. By aligning your business with your personal values and goals, you can create a sustainable model that supports both your professional ambitions and personal well-being. Jesse Showalter’s insights offer a valuable roadmap for anyone looking to strike that balance.
For more inspiration and practical advice, consider joining Jesse’s design community, Design Champs, and immersing yourself in a supportive network of like-minded professionals.