Eleven years ago, I left my job as a project manager at an architectural firm to pursue a career in freelance web design and internet shenanigans.
I call it that, because truth be told, I really had no idea what I was getting into. All I know was that at the time, my theme business was doing six figures a month in sales, andÔÇöas I told my wifeÔÇöit was financially irresponsible for me to stay ÔÇ£working for the man.ÔÇØ
I wanted to be ÔÇ£the manÔÇØ and knew there was no better time to take the leap of faith.
Fast forward a few years, and I made another pivotal move which resulted in the formation of Copyblogger Media. As part of that decision, StudioPress was merged into our new company, and along with that came a partner circle of five.
This September we will celebrate eight years together, and they have been the most formative in my entrepreneurial journey. I have learned so much from those who I work alongside, and the business knowledge I have gained over the years has been incredible.
Not a day goes by that I regret any of these decisions. I continue to wake up each morning with a joy for what I do, and more importantly, who I do it for.
Which brings me to you. The customer. The designer. The developer. The reader. The writer. The entrepreneur. The small business owner.
Last month, WordPress celebrated its 15th birthday, and I feel fortunate, after all these years, to be a part of this community. But the good thing is that I havenÔÇÖt done it alone. IÔÇÖve done it with you.
I am firm believer in the power of communityÔÇöthat life is done ÔÇ£better togetherÔÇØÔÇöand my canyon-deep passion for networking and connecting is as unbridled today as it was when I first got started.
StudioPress, the brand that I started and have poured every ounce of my creative soul into, has been our common groundÔÇöand for that IÔÇÖm eternally grateful.
When we launched the Genesis Framework, with it came the opportunity for many of you to pursue the same dream that IÔÇÖve been fortunate to live.
The community that has formed around our products is unmatched in the WordPress space, and IÔÇÖve witnessed firsthand just how powerful it can be. IÔÇÖve had the pleasure of watching businesses flourish and grow, and have seen some of the most beautiful websites in the world created by you.
As we enter into a new era of publishing with the release of Gutenberg, we are also entering into a new era at StudioPress. ItÔÇÖs an era that I cannot be any more excited about, and one that will bring some change for the better.
With that said…
It is my pleasure to announce WP Engine has acquired StudioPress.
Our future has never been brighter than it is today, and the road ahead of us is so much longer than the road behind. ItÔÇÖs a new journey that I cannot wait to continue with you.
Over the last eleven years, we have changed the WordPress landscapeÔÇöfrom creating a commercial market to building the most popular theme framework. While we were able to do that as a bootstrapped company, the vision I have for StudioPress requires more.
WP Engine brings the ÔÇ£moreÔÇØ that we need and will provide the investment and leadership necessary to evolve and grow the StudioPress suite of products.
Honoring our open source and community driven legacy, they will expand support for contributors and the community by providing meaningful opportunities for people to contribute to Genesis and build their own solutions which leverage the Framework.
I will continue to serve on the StudioPress leadership team at WP Engine, with emphasis on product development and as community evangelist. These are areas which I feel exceptionally qualified for, and more importantly, where I want to be. In addition, Nathan and the Genesis support team will be coming over, and he will continue to serve as lead developer of Genesis.
As founder, this is a bittersweet day for me, I will admit. But, as my new colleague, Jason Cohen, the founder of WP Engine often says, ÔÇ£There are many founding moments in the history of a company.ÔÇØ This is one of those moments and I know itÔÇÖs time for StudioPress to take the next stepÔÇöand WP Engine is the right partner to take it with.
I invite you to join me in welcoming our futureÔÇöthe next revolution, if you will.
This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.