{"id":1010,"date":"2017-09-11T13:47:16","date_gmt":"2017-09-11T18:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2017.dfw.wordcamp.org\/?p=1010"},"modified":"2017-09-11T13:47:16","modified_gmt":"2017-09-11T18:47:16","slug":"my-wordpress-story-falling-into-wordpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/my-wordpress-story-falling-into-wordpress\/","title":{"rendered":"My WordPress Story: Drawing from the WordPress Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

Marc Gratch is the budget and lead wrangler for this year\u2019s WordCamp DFW.<\/em><\/p>\n

I fell into development.<\/p>\n

In 2010 I and two others had been running a brand management company for three years. We had lofty goals of planning and executing integrated marketing campaigns; selling websites was an easy way to find clients. At this point in my life I knew nothing about code, even though a majority of our business was based on building .NET websites.<\/p>\n

After some internal turmoil; our company found itself missing a partner, some clients (and expected revenue), equipment and mostly our pride and sense of stability. Frankly, we weren\u2019t prepared. Suddenly we had to manage the remaining .NET projects that we had no clue how to handle. Uncertain how to proceed, our SEO guy introduced us to WordPress.<\/p>\n

With about 30 plugins, a poorly made custom theme, some glue, scotch tape and a lot of luck, we became a WordPress shop.<\/p>\n

Skip ahead to 2013; I was now working independently building custom themes & plugins for small businesses. Essentially everything I knew about coding the WordPress community taught me. The problem was, I never actively chose this path for myself. I enjoyed coding, but unlike my first business, this wasn’t planned. In fact, I was generally unhappy. I was working too much and getting paid too little, if at all sometimes. Something had to give. In 2014, I fired all my clients.<\/p>\n

My wife and I were expecting our first child and I still didn\u2019t know what I wanted to do with myself. I knew I wanted to write code and I knew I loved working with WordPress, but I felt certain I was done with client work. First and foremost, I spent my time letting my distractions lead me wherever seemed most intriguing. I read everything I could, about WordPress, coding, physics, Spain\u2026? I truly allowed my mind to wander. I would find myself uselessly refreshing my newsreader for new articles during the day so I turned my attention to podcasts and WordPress.tv, which quickly brought my attention to WordCamps.<\/p>\n

In the summer of 2014 we decided to have our last child-free vacation; we were headed to NYC. Where I would also go to my first WordCamp.<\/p>\n

I can only describe my first WordCamp experience as transformational. I was hooked. The first person I met was THE ONE AND ONLY Andrew Nacin \u2013 I caught him unaware getting his morning coffee, poor guy didn\u2019t see the fandom coming. He was very gracious, and though he may have been trying to get rid of me, he introduced me to some other amazing folks, that I had been following for years. When I returned to Fort Worth I was on a WordPress high, I wanted to share as much as I could about WordPress and the community. I got home and applied to speak at WordCamp DFW, where I spoke for the first time about WordPress.<\/p>\n

At my very first WordCamp (WCNYC2014) I learned so much that this blog post simply could not do it justice. But the most important lesson I walked away with was: The WordPress community is (mostly) virtual and volunteer based. The best way to succeed is to get involved, get noticed, and don\u2019t suck. This stuck with me. I now speak, volunteer, and (occasionally) sponsor WordCamps all over the country as well as help organize WordCamp DFW and the Fort Worth WordPress User Group meetup.<\/p>\n

In the time since WCNYC2014 I get to consult, teach, build products and work on some very interesting yet challenging projects. All the while getting to travel, network and discover great WordPress friends –which are more aptly described as great friends. And by discovering the WordPress community and amazing people who have helped me grow my business acumen, refine my focus, strengthen my connections and become a better developer than I had thought possible.<\/p>\n

Tickets are now on sale<\/a>\u00a0for this year\u2019s WordCamp DFW held on Nov. 11-12. There are also plenty of opportunities to\u00a0sponsor the event<\/a>,\u00a0speak at the event<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0help run it<\/a>. We hope to see you there!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Marc Gratch is the budget and lead wrangler for this year\u2019s WordCamp DFW. I fell into development. In 2010 I and two others had been running a brand management company for three years. We had lofty goals of planning and executing integrated marketing campaigns; selling websites was an easy way to find clients. At this … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “My WordPress Story: Drawing from the WordPress Community”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8005857,"featured_media":1042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"My WordPress Story: Drawing from the WordPress Community","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1140999],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wordpress-stories"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/marc-gratch-story.jpg?fit=2000%2C1200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pheMWK-gi","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1007,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/my-wordpress-story-the-winding-road-to-wordpress\/","url_meta":{"origin":1010,"position":0},"title":"My WordPress Story: The Winding Road to WordPress","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"September 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Stefanie A. Newton is the design and website wrangler for this year\u2019s WordCamp DFW. WordPress has enabled me to combine my technical and creative sides into a business that allows me to build comprehensive website solutions, due largely to the vast amount of available knowledge and assistance generously provided by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "WordPress Stories"","block_context":{"text":"WordPress Stories","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordpress-stories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/stefanie-newton-story.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/stefanie-newton-story.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/stefanie-newton-story.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/stefanie-newton-story.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/stefanie-newton-story.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1498,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-alex-juchniewicz\/","url_meta":{"origin":1010,"position":1},"title":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Alex Juchniewicz","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"October 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Topic:\u00a0How Losing My Son Gave Birth to So Many Blessings Originally from California, Alex now lives in Houston with his beautiful wife Marie and their cat Zeke. Having worked with WordPress since 2010, he got his real start by working as an Internet Marketer at a digital agency building WordPress\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "WordCamp DFW Speakers"","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Speakers","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-speakers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/alex-juchniewicz.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/alex-juchniewicz.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/alex-juchniewicz.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/alex-juchniewicz.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/alex-juchniewicz.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1435,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-erin-flynn\/","url_meta":{"origin":1010,"position":2},"title":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Erin Flynn","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"October 2, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Topic:\u00a0How to raise your web design rates Erin has been making websites since 1999, and started her own web design and development company in 2012. After a few years creating websites for clients, Erin shifted her business. Now, her primary business is helping other designers and developers navigate the difficult\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "WordCamp DFW Speakers"","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Speakers","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-speakers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/erin-flynn.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/erin-flynn.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/erin-flynn.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/erin-flynn.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/erin-flynn.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1780,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-isaac-irvine\/","url_meta":{"origin":1010,"position":3},"title":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Isaac Irvine","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"October 31, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Topic:\u00a0Using social media to grow personal brand and build your freelance business A cheerleader for small business owners and buying local, Isaac \u201cloves the heart and soul that local businesses put into their products and services.\u201d He\u2019s especially interested in helping people build their personal brand using stories on social\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "WordCamp DFW Speakers"","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Speakers","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-speakers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/10\/isaac-irvine.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/10\/isaac-irvine.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/10\/isaac-irvine.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/10\/isaac-irvine.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/10\/isaac-irvine.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1494,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-kevin-fontenot\/","url_meta":{"origin":1010,"position":4},"title":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Kevin Fontenot","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"October 13, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Topic:\u00a0Chatbots: Why Your Business Must Adopt Conversation Based Marketing Kevin Fontenot is the Director of Marketing at TrainedUp.Church. He also likes to refer to himself as a professional interneter. In the past, he was worked on all kinds of WordPress projects including building (and selling) a marketplace built using EDD.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "WordCamp DFW Speakers"","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Speakers","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-speakers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/kevin-fontenot-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/kevin-fontenot-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/kevin-fontenot-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/kevin-fontenot-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/09\/kevin-fontenot-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2466,"url":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wcdfw-speaker-spotlight-lori-calcott\/","url_meta":{"origin":1010,"position":5},"title":"WCDFW Speaker Spotlight: Lori Calcott","author":"Jacob Martella","date":"November 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Topic:\u00a0You Built It\u2026 Now What? Lori Calcott is a co-founder and partner of webShine and WordPress SEO Hub. Originally from Pittsburgh, Lori has been working in the search space since 2001. As a paid search guru, Lori has transitioned with her clients through the various platforms starting with Overture, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "WordCamp DFW Speakers"","block_context":{"text":"WordCamp DFW Speakers","link":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/category\/wordcamp-dfw-speakers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/files\/2017\/11\/lori-calcott.jpg?fit=1200%2C720&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8005857"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1010"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1074,"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1010\/revisions\/1074"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dfw.wordcamp.org\/2017\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}