Returning to Web Development
working software capitalismAfter about six years of building a video production business I'm exploring employment offers in web development again.
No LinkedIn, No Resumé
Since I don't have either of the aforementioned documents, here's a timeline:
- 2002 - I stopped trying to finish a BS in COMP SCI at University of Central Florida and started doing web development, primarily as an employee for the first few years and later as a contractor
- 2017 - I started taking on video clients and telling my software clients I was moving away from web development for my work
- Early 2020 - I got doxxed / arrested + COVID so I became a fulltime stay at home dad / house husband to support my parter and kid (I also deleted most of my accounts so that the people harrassing me couldn't get to my clients, including my LinkedIn)
- Late 2023 - After three years of slowly taking on more debt as we relied on my partner's income I start calling old employers looking for work
Why the pivot to video?
I've been producing short videos and clips since the first time I touched a camera, but didn't think of it as anything beyond a hobby until after our kid was born and I bought my first DSLR.
Like many nerdy parents I became engrossed with the camera and the processs of producing beautiful images. Soon I was working on short video ads for my employer and trying to find other opportunities to hone my craft.
By 2017 I took on my first paying video clients and turned it into a thriving consultancy. Non-profits, developers, churches, real estate agents and various other clients hired me to produce a range of video assets and while I never got where I wanted to be, I was paying our rent doing video production work and having a lot of fun filming.
Why change now?
When I was doxxed and arrested in 2020 I went through the process of deleting any of the public social media acccounts that attached me to any of my clients and shut down my business so I could focus on being a stay at home dad / house husband.
This plan went really well and was one of the best decisions I've ever made - my family is closer than ever - but financially speaking it's been devastating.
Initially I assumed I'd return to video work but as I survey my options I realize that I don't currently have the emotional capacity to both do a "day job" and run a business (including securing new clients) while maintaing my role doing most of the domestic labor at home.
So, I'm hoping to plug into an existing team so I can be helpful to their goals while maintaining my own personal creative projects and keeping our household running.
I'm all ears
The only websites I've made in the last couple years are this site and my podcast, but if you know someone who could use an overly experienced web developer who may need a few weeks to catch up I'd love to hear from you: hi@joshuablount.com