"I don’t want to spend my day ordering post-it notes for artists and programmers."
Thoughts are powerful. Sometimes transformative. And this is the thought that changed everything.
Where did it all begin? I emerged from college with rock and roll hair, a bachelor’s degree, and the sheer force of will to avoid becoming a high school English teacher. I wrote business plans and brochures and web content for people who underestimated me, and some who didn’t. I learned about design. I taught myself how to build websites. I got fired. More than once.
One sunny day, about 10 years ago, I decided I would work for myself. So I gathered up my sharpies and my metal rulers and my wax pencils and I set up shop at home.
Eventually I got busy, so I hired a guy. And then another guy. And then another guy. I had an office with half a dozen desks and a copier and a coffee machine. I had an intern. And I was getting up at 6 am every day so I could drive to work and order post-it notes for the people who got to do the fun stuff.
All that is past. Now, I work three paces from my kitchen. I show up at my desk at 8 and I walk away at 5. Well, sometimes. I don’t answer the phone on Saturdays. I work with clients who believe in me and I ditch the ones who don’t. I dream up ideas, evaluate designs, and write code. I do great work every day, and I can never find a post-it note when I need one.
Copyright © 2010 Bevans Group LLC. All rights reserved.
One of the advantages of being a virtual company is that every expert in the world is potentially a member of my team. And you + a few key experts + me = awesomeness.
Step One is figuring out who you are and what you need. Step Two is assembling the very best team to get us there. I take Step Two very seriously.
I know exceptional writers and designers and programmers of every conceivable speciality, and I'm always looking for more to round out my team.
One thing's for sure. Every project you entrust to me gets my full and complete attention. Because my name's on the door, and because I said so.
I hang out with these fine folks:
eWomen Network
International Association of Business Communicators
Women in Technology
Phi Beta Kappa
I support the following organizations with my time, talent and (business gods willing) my dough:
Literacy Council of Montgomery County
Literacy Tutor
Foundation for Social & Cultural Advancement
Citiwide Computer Training Center
Volunteer Webmaster
Marketing Strategy & Planning
Content Development
Graphic Design
Web Site Design & Development
Flash Development
Search Engine Optimization
Application Development
Architecture/Engineering/Construction
Associations & Non-Profits
Business Services & Consulting
Consumer Goods & Services
Educational Institutions
Healthcare
Real Estate & Development
Ann's father is 6'5" and her mother is 5'4", which is proof that opposites attract. Ann and her sister are both 5'11".
Ann graduated Summa Cum Laude from McDaniel College in 1997 with a B.A. in English and minors in Comparative Literature and French. She might have been nerdier if they'd offered minors in stretch pants and yearbook.
Between the ages 13 and 17, Ann was madly in love with Jon Bon Jovi.
Ann plays the 'cello and the guitar, but not at the same time.
Ann does all her own stunts.