Why Web Design, Lifelong Learning, and Teaching Fuel My Passion
When I look back at my career, the thread that ties everything together is simple: curiosity. It’s what first drew me to graphic design, what pushed me to learn how to code, what carried me through graduate school, and what still excites me every time I launch a new project with a client. Curiosity has kept me learning, building, teaching, and most importantly, connecting.
I’ve never been satisfied with just “good enough.” The design world changes too fast for that, and people’s dreams are too important to settle for less. That’s why I consider myself not just a designer, but a lifelong learner and an educator at heart.
From Graphic Design to Web Design
My professional journey began in 1998 when I earned my BFA in Graphic Design at Rochester Institute of Technology. Back then, design was very much about print—logos, posters, layouts. But almost immediately, the world shifted. Websites were becoming the new storefronts, the new billboards, the new business cards.
I didn’t want to watch that wave from the shore; I wanted to ride it. So I taught myself web design. HTML and CSS became my new playground, and I quickly discovered how design and code could work together to create experiences instead of just static images.
That shift wasn’t just about technology—it was about impact. A website had the power to reach people far beyond the radius of a print piece. It could open doors, tell stories, and make businesses visible in a way nothing else could. I was hooked.
Teaching Myself to Code
Design without development has limits. I didn’t want to hand off my ideas to someone else and hope they got it right. So I taught myself how to code.
Those long nights of trial and error—debugging lines of code, breaking and fixing layouts—taught me more than just syntax. They taught me perseverance, problem-solving, and the joy of seeing an idea come to life exactly as I imagined it.
It also gave me empathy for both sides of the table: the designer’s pursuit of beauty and the developer’s need for functionality. Understanding both has made me a better collaborator, and later, a better teacher.
A Shift Into Education
As much as I loved building, I realized I also loved sharing what I knew. The more I learned, the more I wanted to help others succeed. That calling led me back to school, where I earned an MFA in UX Design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Armed with both industry experience and advanced training, I stepped into the classroom. For the past 10 years, I’ve taught adult students how to design, code, and think critically about user experience. Teaching gave me a new kind of fulfillment—seeing students light up when they solved a problem, or watching them land their first job in tech because of the skills they gained.
Education sharpened my own skills, too. When you teach, you can’t fake it. You have to explain concepts clearly, anticipate questions, and stay ahead of industry trends. In many ways, teaching kept me sharper than working alone ever could.
Lifelong Learning as a Competitive Edge
Technology doesn’t wait for anyone. Frameworks evolve, design trends shift, and user expectations rise. If you’re not learning, you’re falling behind.
Being a lifelong learner isn’t just something I claim—it’s something I live. Every new language I taught myself, every graduate class I took, every workshop I attended made me better equipped to serve clients and students alike.
Lifelong learning has been my competitive edge. It’s why I can confidently design for both web and mobile. It’s why I understand how SEO and UX intersect. It’s why I’m able to guide not just on design, but on how technology can support a business’s bigger goals.
The truth is, in web design and development, you’re never really “done.” And that’s the beauty of it.
Returning to Business With a New Mission
After a decade in education, I’ve returned to business—but with a new focus and renewed passion. Today, I work primarily with female coaches, helping them create websites and branding that not only look beautiful but also attract clients and convey credibility.
I know how overwhelming it can feel to be invisible online. I’ve seen brilliant women with so much to offer, stuck with DIY websites and unclear messaging that don’t reflect the quality of their work. My mission is to change that.
That’s where my SEEN in 30 Challenge comes in—a program I designed to empower female coaches to not only have a stunning website, but also to understand how to use it. In just 30 days, I help them stand out, express their value, elevate their presence, and navigate online visibility with confidence.
Why Education Matters to Me
Even now, with a business model focused on design services, education is at the heart of everything I do. Because what good is a website if you don’t know how to leverage it?
I don’t want my clients to just own a site—I want them to understand it, use it, and grow through it. I want them to feel confident about updating their content, running their blog, sharing their message, and attracting the right people.
Design is powerful, but education makes it sustainable. My role isn’t just to deliver a product—it’s to empower women to step into their businesses with confidence, knowing they have both the tools and the know-how to succeed.
The Joy of Helping Others Succeed
The best part of my career, whether in the classroom or in client work, has always been the same: watching others succeed.
When a student lands their first job, or a coach finally gets the clarity to charge what they’re worth, I feel the same rush of pride and joy. Their wins feel like my wins, because I know I played a small part in helping them step into their potential.
That’s why I do this work. It’s not just about pixels, code, or layouts. It’s about people—their stories, their dreams, their futures.
Looking Ahead
As I continue building my business and expanding the SEEN in 30 Challenge, I’m more motivated than ever to keep learning and teaching. The design world will keep evolving, and so will I.
Because the truth is, being a lifelong learner isn’t just about staying ahead. It’s about staying curious, staying humble, and staying connected. It’s about never losing sight of why I started: to create, to share, and to help others shine.
That’s my passion. That’s my purpose. And I can’t wait to see where it takes me—and those I get to work with—next.