The last couple years have certainly seen their share of changes and unexpected highs and lows. We’ve all been through a lot!

The year 2022 brings new hope, new beginnings, new opportunities … and for me, a new business venture. Now, the business itself is not new. Far from it. I’ve been doing web and graphic design for over 25 years. Yes, I started when I was 4… ahem!

In fact… this little business venture has been through many names and identities over the years. Looking back, some of those names are better left in the past. Naming a business can definitely be a challenge, and sometimes we don’t get it quite right. (Cheez Me, anyone? Yikes.)

When we closed The Web Shack, I had every intention of leaving my days of web and graphic design behind me (except my regular day job at the University of Minnesota, of course). But as the opportunity arose to tinker with a few projects, make some updates for past clients, I found that I missed creating new things now and then. So, I decided to launch something new… yet not-so-new. So without further ado…

INTRODUCING… JOY OF MN

Yes, I literally AM “Joy of Minnesota”, but it’s more than that! I am embracing JOY… in my life, in my surroundings, in my work, and in my designs. I’m discovering what brings me joy. I am seeking to bring joy to others. And along the way, I hope I can make the web design process a little less painful and a little more joyful.

In addition to my web and graphic design work, I’ve started Joy’s Journal, where I will periodically post tidbids about web and graphic design, but also general thoughts and observations about a variety of topics, what brings me joy, where others have found their joy, and life in Minnesota in general. So share those hotdish recipes!

I hope this post finds you filled with the hope of new beginnings, and finding the JOY in your life! And if you know someone who could use a little design help, send them my way! Nothing would give me greater joy than to help them.