Jenifer has been working with WordPress for a lot longer than she’s been running an agency. What started as a hobby in the early 2000s eventually turned into freelance work and, in 2020, the launch of Tangerine Bee Designs. I love hearing stories like that—where a side interest slowly grows into something much bigger.
One thing that stood out to me in Jenifer’s interview is how much she enjoys helping clients who aren’t comfortable with technology. She gets to solve the CSS puzzles she loves while making the whole process feel a little less intimidating for business owners, which is a combination I think a lot of clients appreciate.
What got you into WordPress and how long have you been using it?
I started using WordPress in the early 2000s just for fun. I had been manually building websites with HTML and CSS, and I wanted to learn more! I made my first professional website in 2008 for my brothers’ restaurant, but I was still working as an engineer at the time and not interested in growing a business. I made the website for their second restaurant in 2014, and I’ve been working as a freelancer since 2020.
What part of the website creation process is your favorite to work on and why?
I really enjoy using custom CSS to make websites look awesome. Figuring out how to achieve a particular design is always fun. I like the puzzle aspect of it.
What motivated you to start your own business, and what keeps you going when things get tough?
I wanted something that I could do flexibly with kids at home. I wanted to be able to work from anywhere, not work full time hours, and be able to mostly set my own schedule. I really enjoy the work itself, so that definitely keeps me going when things get tough. And I really don’t want to go back to working in an office 30-40 minutes from my home 5 days a week.
In addition, I get a lot of satisfaction from helping someone who really isn’t tech savvy build a website that helps them do whatever they do best in their business. Websites and all the things around them can be scary for those who don’t love tech, but I can walk clients through the process and handle the hard parts, which always feels good.
What do you do to keep a healthy work/life balance as a business owner?
My business is still quite small, so it doesn’t take all of my time. But even so, I’m trying to get better at carving out time for myself to do things just because I enjoy them. It’s a work in progress.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten and how has it affected your business?
Take a real lunch break every day. It’s so easy to sit at the computer with a sandwich, but bodies aren’t meant to sit for that long, and my brain begins to turn to mush. Taking a break to go for a walk, or sit and read, or whatever sounds interesting at the time is good for my soul and lets me get back to work with a fresh mind afterward!
What’s a book every agency owner should read?
168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam
What’s your favorite podcast to listen to?
Brain Ladle Trivia Podcast (not for work, just for fun)
What’s a WordPress plugin more people should know about?
What’s your favorite tool, accessory, or gadget on your desk?
A desk lamp so that I can see my keyboard when the overhead light is off.
What’s your favorite non-WordPress tool or software?
