Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Coles.
Vanessa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always had an artistic streak. My mom tells me that I began drawing at the age of three by visually interpreting my favorite things and my surroundings using pencil and paper. Exposure to various art styles at a young age also influenced my personal growth as a young artist.
It wasn’t until high school that I began the slow shift into graphic design which started with the introduction of software like the Adobe Creative Suite, the industry standard for digital and graphic artists. This also bled over into web design, as you would often create a mockup of the design before code production and execution.
With the advent of social media in the early 2000s brought with it sites like Myspace and the then-popular blogging platform, Xanga. Sites like these allowed you to modify your profile’s existing code by editing the HTML (content) and CSS (styling) which extended your customization capabilities. I found this feature extremely fascinating and took it upon myself to learn the coding languages necessary to eventually do it on my own without the aid of third-party sites. However, little did I know, this would become an invaluable skill in the years to come.
I encountered my first client in 2010 when a local flower shop called on me to help update their website and install a payment portal. This was fairly difficult as I had to teach myself the necessary skills in order to complete each task in real-time which in and of itself produced many challenges and setbacks. Despite this, upon completion, the client was satisfied with my work and I left knowing that this is what I was meant to do. Meant to be. I wanted to become a web developer.
Throughout the 2010s, I spent much of my time studying, practicing, failing, and persevering. Long days and sleepless nights were not foreign to me. One such accomplishment I achieved during this time was when a custom Windows 7 theme I designed and published on a popular art site was featured in a Japanese software magazine called I.P. with said theme included on a CD. I often stayed up well past midnight making sure it was pixel perfect, implementing peer suggestions, and valuable feedback.
After a few stints working for a couple of real estate agents that enlisted my services working with social media and maintaining client websites, I decided to branch out on my own.
In 2018, I founded VMC Design LLC, so I can be my own boss. I am currently working on expanding my new brand. To date, I am knowledgeable in and have worked with WordPress, HTML, CSS, Php, Javascript, and multiple other languages and technologies. I also recently completed multiple websites for several clients, including Nita Cintron, who was also a featured Trailblazer. You can see her website, and my work, here:
www.itsinthedetailsbynitacintron.com
I am excited to see what my future holds as I pursue my dream of becoming a full-fledged businesswoman and full-stack developer.
Has it been a smooth road?
Almost all of the struggles I encountered involved clientele failing to take me seriously or undermining my capabilities as a professional developer. This is often due to a lack of female leadership in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). For anyone just starting out, please do not feel discouraged. There are others willing to help you on your journey and provide you with opportunities. You just have to seek them out and be persistent. Women of all ages and demographics have their place in STEM and I am proud to be one of them.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into VMC Design story. Tell us more about it.
I am a Front-End Developer that specializes in the design, production, and deployment of websites primarily for small up-and-coming businesses.
The thing that sets me apart from others is my innate knack for design and artistic know-how in general. I am with my clients from the conception of their design all the way up to website deployment. Oftentimes, these tasks are often split amongst teams that have professionals that specialize in a single thing. Sometimes, this means that the project will change hands and can leave more room for client dissatisfaction due to lack of communication, disorganization, etc. I strive to make sure that my clients are satisfied with my work from beginning to end.
I did not foresee that I would found my own business before 30. Establishing VMC Design LLC is my biggest life’s accomplishment so far.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I come from an artistic family, so everyone in my family branched out into different fields so to speak. My mom and dad appreciate and celebrate their musical talent, one of my younger sisters is a dancer and a poet, the youngest is a writer and enjoys baking in her free time for friends and family. My form of art just so happened to be web design and development.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://vcoles.com
- Phone: (619) 739-3831
- Email: vmcolesdesign@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vmcolesdesign/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vcolesdesign
Image Credit:
Vanessa Coles, VMC Design LLC
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