volomike
I was formerly from Raleigh, NC, but now live and work in Johnsonville, SC, near Myrtle Beach and Conway. I moved here because I had an offer for free land and my wife grew up here. Unfortunately I was too optimistic on the economic climate within 100 miles of Johnsonville compared to Raleigh. I hope that improves. My first real job here was unfortunately an hour long commute.
In December 2007, at the age of 40, I felt tremendously underutilized, yet overworked on tasks I didn't like doing like filling out paperwork, doing security audits, sysop work, tech support, etc. at a Fortune 500 information technology company. I preferred web development, and particularly PHP development. Unfortunately my original job doing just that was outsourced. I was told to either take a tech support job or hit the streets. So, after only one year of development with that company, I worked 5 committed years doing Linux sysop work with still a good bit of PHP work in there. Eventually they overworked me and on my 6th year I resigned.
It was scary at first, but I formed my own startup company doing PHP freelancing for clients in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia. After taxes, thanks to tax deductions, I was able to earn more income doing that in 2008 than any prior year since the dot-com explosion of the 90s. So, I did well. Now, in 2009, it's been a bit tougher, but still okay. It's made me wonder why I stayed as a loyal W2 employee for all those years.
I collaborate with designers right now in London, Brooklyn, Las Vegas, and Santa Monica (CA), but am always looking for local designers in the South Carolina area. Designers, I've found, usually get the gigs and then email me for the coding work. However, it's sometimes the other way around.
My works spans from backend coding and database work, to front-end coding with things like jQuery and AJAX. As well, I can do a good bit of site theming with valid, strict, cross-platform XHTML/CSS as well as custom WordPress themes. The only thing I can't do well is web design. At most, I'm a copier and an attempter of design, but for spontaneous stuff or true art, I leave it to the professionals.
I have had a tough time getting business here in Q4 of 2009. I have picked up some new advertising venues, and am utilizing social media a good bit such as on Twitter. You can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/volomike
As well, I pay a 10% sales commission to sales affiliates who get me gigs that actually pan out. In the months of April, July, November, and December, I provide 12% sales commission. Recently I finished a $3500 project and paid a sales affiliate her 12% sales commission check. She was so excited to earn cash for hardly doing anything that she has gone out to seek more work for me. I hope to pick up more sales affiliates like this.