Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmyne Epps.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jasmyne. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always been into technology. My grandpa handed me a laptop when I was around 4 or 5 years old and I’ve been in love ever since. That love continued to age ten when I taught myself HTML and CSS. Fast forward to 2008, the height of the recession, and I start college at The University of Alabama. Not sure of what the job market would look like after graduation, I took the trial and error period of college as an opportunity to create a source of income on my own. That’s when I started freelancing, building websites for whoever would let me, and forming my company Dove Web Design. There was a lot of free work in the beginning, but nine years later, with no advertising whatsoever, I continue to get a steady stream of projects and the chance to work with amazing people and organizations.
Since college, I’ve gone on to work in both the private and public sectors. I made good money straight out of college working for a Fortune 50 company, but I can say with absolute certainty that my experience in the public sector has shaped me into the human I am proud to be today. Working for my fellow citizens has taught me the importance of finding your purpose and finding fulfillment in more than just making a company obscenely wealthy. Combine all that with being a Black woman from Alabama and the experience of running my own business, I feel like I offer a unique perspective to my peers in the technology space.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The pursuit of entrepreneurship has been an interesting and difficult journey, bumpy to say the least. The most difficult thing I’ve had to learn is how to lean on a team and ask for help. Not try to do everything and focus on honing in the things I’m good at. I love to solve a client’s problem with technology. I hate managing projects. So learning to reach out to my network to work with people who have strengths in areas that will help my business became a necessity.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Dove Web Design story. Tell us more about the business.
Dove Web Design is a full-service web development agency that specializes in WordPress websites. We like to take a data-driven approach to provide a custom solution for each client. We work with them to develop and grow their brands in the digital space. The thing I’m most proud of is that we’re a Black-owned, woman-owned, Veteran-owned company. What sets us apart is our focus on accessibility when developing websites for our clients. Having an accessible website ensures that everyone, regardless of disability or access to high-speed internet, can interact with you or your business online.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I feel I’m lucky to have had a great support system growing up that helped me lean into everything I was interested in. I think as Black people, we’re a bit conditioned to think certain interests aren’t for us. Whether it was my affinity for soccer or my love of technology, my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, everyone always poured into me the confidence to do whatever I wanted. They always set me up for success and I’m thankful that I had their guidance and support. I think that’s so important because I’m no different or any more special than the next person. I just always felt like I could do anything because I had that support.
I’m also lucky to have had access to technology at such a young age. I am a firm believer in technology, specifically the internet, being the great equalizer. I’ve made it my calling to advocate for accessible technology and websites. So that regardless of economic status, age, location, physical or cognitive ability, everyone has access to the internet.
Pricing:
- Free 30 minute consultations – https://calendly.com/lets-
work/30-min - $65 1-hour consultations – https://calendly.com/lets-work/virtual
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dovewebdesign.com/
- Email: hello@dovewebdesign.com
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