Jula’s Mutual of Omaha Aha Moment

May 17, 2011 By Mariah

A while ago I received an email from Mutual of Omaha to participate in the 2011 Aha Moment Tour. After I said yes, I watched other videos and then thought they were crazy for asking me!

I have not started a world changing organization or started a school for underprivileged children. I told myself all I have done is start a business. Then I thought about it…

It was taking the leap from “I could do that” to “I AM going to do that!” and I could fall flat on my face but I am jumping! I have the skills and the guts to do it and heck ya I am going for it.

I am so glad I jumped. Jula has brought so many opportunities to my life that would not have come my way without it. The people I have met and the designs I have created have made me a better person and designer. I love this job and love what I do.

What is YOUR Aha Moment?

WordPress Themes

March 16, 2011 By Mariah

There are a lot of questions out there about WordPress themes, what they are and why it is important to choose a certain one. Then…there are some clients that do not even know what a “theme” is and could care less. They just want a site up and running.

There are several free themes for WordPress.org and visually they are okay, I guess. Okay. I loathe them and refuse to work with them. They are a designers nightmare and are so restrictive.

I use Thesis and StudioPress (Genesis Framework) and here are the reasons why.

Thesis

Over a year ago when I first started doing web and blog design, I worked primarily with the Thesis theme. Loved it. Thesis is very user friendly and as a new designer trying to figure out WordPress and learning all about the wonderful world of coding, it was a great starting theme for me.

It is a perfect fit for the businesses who just need a no nonsense site up and running. If they need to just change the background because they have a new logo, just click a color and save. Many of the bloggers I work with use it as well because it allows them to get into their site without feeling like they are going to mess it up. They can make simple edits to the visual of their site and it is all laid out simply on the screen for the user.

One of the main negatives for the basic user is the need to access FTP files. A real bummer if you want to add, let’s say, your own header. But a minor tackle and you are on your way.

Thesis. Good theme. Used it often for people.

StudioPress (Genesis Framework)

StudioPress came into my design life early but it was just changing things to a live site. Then as I took the plunge into learning more about coding and taking my abilities to the next level, I looked at StudioPress more. Each theme is crisp and so professional looking. It takes your site to the next level visually and “under the hood.”

It is now my recommendation and go to theme for clients. I will lead a client towards these themes over Thesis any day of the week. The fact that the online “A-Listers” like Chris Brogan and Darren Rowse use StudioPress should also give you a second look.

Whether you are a church, photographer, business, or a mommy blogger, Studiopress has a theme that is custom for you. I not only really like the variety of themes that they offer, but I appreciate the fact that they are not limited and created by one person. Having so many contributors for the theme designs, every site looks unique. Jula Studio was designed with the Enterprise Theme.

But why listen to me? Go check them out for yourself!

So there it is. My two cents. Have more questions? Feel free to email me and I will answer any you have.

Filed Under: blog designers, Designers, Genesis Framework, StudioPress, Thesis, web designers, WordPress, WordPress Themes

Welcome to the Re-launch for Jula!

February 28, 2011 By Mariah

Thank you!

Thank you for making this past year such an amazing experience for me. Just a little over a year ago, Jula started becoming a reality. I had dreamed of being able to be more in control of my passion for design, and thanks to the support of my husband Amos, I took the plunge to start this little business.

I had high expectations for myself as a designer, as I always do in everything! But dang, was I a little nervous. The day I launched Jula I had my first client and all the form said was “Well, it’s about time! I’ve been waiting for you to do this. I need some things done…”

That client sent a referral the next week and that was it. I was hooked.

Even though I no longer take hours to send out an email (can anybody relate to revision after revision) out of fear of saying the wrong thing, I do still get that little nerve of “I hope they like this design as much as I do”. I also never imagined I would be able to meet the amazing people this little business has brought into my life. I have had the honor to work with businesses, entrepreneurs, moms, Military, non-profits, physicians, and so many others.

I look forward to another great year bringing out the best for your website or print work.

Talk soon!

Mariah Humphries

Filed Under: blog designers, Designers, graphic design, logo design, web designers Tagged With: blog designers, web Designers