I've Set Up Shop for my Blog + Web Design Business

After a whole year, I have finally launched my blog and web design business that I like to call Little Eternities. The reason behind the name is that "Eternity" means something that is infinite and does not end in time and when you are creating a little space on the web (a blog or website), you are leaving behind a little eternity.

It might sound a little quirky, but I love the name and I am sticking to it. Plus, I am sure my target clientele will resonate with the meaning behind it too.



It's both exciting and overwhelming how far I have come with projects like this one.

But, if I'm being honest, I'm also a whole lot nervous and slightly intimidated by it.

I'm nervous because I don't how it is going to turn out. Will I be successful in sending this message through every aspect of my business? Will my clients enjoy what I create for them? Or will no one even realize my business exists?

Business is a whole lot of risk and it's not just because you're investing time and money. What most people don't realize is that you're also investing an enormous amount of wishful thinking which definitely takes a toll on your mental health.

What I mean by wishful thinking is the mindset that business owners have where they believe that EVERYTHING they do will have a wonderful turnout right away when in reality, the big wonderful turnout happens years and tons of thousands of hours of hard work after the initial launch.

This definitely takes a toll on your mental health because the results are out of your control and it becomes a constant battle between idealistic and realistic goals for the business that consumes you at every turn.

I'm intimated because I see all these great blog and web designers who design beautiful designs and I'm wondering how my designs compare.

And then I think, why do I keep comparing myself to other designers who have spent years developing their business when I've just started?

Regardless, I'm super excited for this adventure! Why don't you join the party? For a limited time get 25% OFF any pre-made blog template now until the end of September using code "LAUNCHPARTYSALE" in the shop!

Thanks for all your support everyone! You guys are awesome! I'd love to support you all as well! What are some projects or goals you're working on?

Business: Working with Clients (The Beginning)

In the website design business working with clients can be fun, but also very well...challenging. I have been designing websites since I was twelve and since then I've gotten better in terms of creativity, learning HTML, and CSS coding and took it a step further by creating the Zobia Alvi Creative. After being very indecisive, I decided to take that a step further as well. The Zobia Alvi Creative will no longer exist. Instead I am renaming the business and building it completely from scratch. 

However, before I get to officially launch the business, I needed to gather clients. I have worked with a few since that decision was made and the experiences with each client were VERY different. 

One of the experiences left me doubting my ability to design creatively, another said my design was just terrible and then went on to design a (what I think was terrible because this person knows nothing about website design whatsoever) website themselves, and another loved the end result and will possibly hire me for another project. 

The first client asked for a website without any specifications for their company. So I decided to research some websites in that field and came up with a design all by myself. I was pretty excited with the way the design came to be and eagerly presented it to my client. The client didn't even look through it, they batted an eye and just said "Maybe, if you made it pink?.." Oh, the shades of color my face turned in that moment. 

The next client was a few years back. They asked for a website that represented their project, but again did not know exactly what they wanted. I designed a beautiful cohesive website representing just their project and nothing else. They said that it wasn't "flashy" enough. What in the world does that mean?! They ended up taking my work and putting red sirens and "Do Not Cross" banners all over the site. Literally. 

The last client was quite delightful. They had a basic understanding of what the website could look like and we were able to work together to create a great site. No complaints here. A client like this is hard to get by, so I am glad I might be doing another project for this one. 

I've also been reading Clients From Hell lately and I can totally relate to even the most ridiculous client stories. These are just a few of mine. 

Design: Gold & Pink

I have been posting my new blog design all over Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google + and it has been live on my blog for about a month now. As part of a new feature series I would like to start on my blog, I want to share my inspiration for this design and a few basic elements that allowed me to make this new Gold and Pink blog design possible.

This is my blog design's color palette. Finding the perfect palette is hard to do. There's color theory that comes into play and you have to pick a strong enough color basis so you can play around with the accent colors. For example, I could have made my accent color gold instead of pink and my whole blog would look completely different.

Using my color palette and a little creativity, this is the end result! 

Custom Blog Design Giveaway!

Recently, I launched a blog design shop, the Zobia Alvi Creative. After designing several websites and my own blogs several times, I decided I still need to expand my own design portfolio. So I'm giving away TWO full Bronze Package Custom Blog Designs by me! A Bronze Package includes a custom blog header, custom about image, custom navigation links, custom gadget titles, up to five custom social media icons, matching blogger customizations, custom blog signature, and custom blog post/sidebar widths. All that is yours!

These are some logo designs, I once created.

Enter as many entries as you would like! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NEW! Design shop and a HUGE sale!

I have something exciting to share today! I have opened up a website & graphic design shop and I'm ready for business! Say hello to my design shop, the Zobia Alvi Creative! I am currently offering custom blog design packages as well several "a la carte" options in my custom graphics vault.

Prices are extremely affordable. Plus with every consultation, I will provide free installation, and up to 3 revisions after the final template has been approved. Beyond that, in honor of the shop's launch, I am giving all my readers 50% off everything in my design shop! YES! Half off on everything! Use this code at checkout: newshop

Here's an overview of some of the prices in my design shop! (Don't forget to use the 50% off code at checkout!) For a complete price list and design examples check out my design shop: Zobia Alvi Creative! Let's work together on making your blog the best that it could be!

Custom Blog Design Package: $30.00 

A la carte (Individual Purchases)

Custom Blog Header: $5.00

Custom Social Media Icon Pack: $2.00

Custom Blog Post Signature: $2.00

Custom Blog Tiles: $0.30/each

or 4 Custom Blog Tiles: $1.00 

New Name? New Look?

      If you're an old follower of this blog, you may have noticed the renovation that's been done here. (Or you may not). I changed the name from "The Life Of A Zobot" to "Journey To Eternity". I thought that "Journey To Eternity" sounded more suitable for a blog about lifestyle combining my goals & documenting my life. 

    "The Life Of A Zobot" still exists, but now it's a new kind of blog. Remember that quote blog of mine that I mentioned every now and then? Well, "The Life Of A Zobot" is now the new quote blog! All my quotes are on that blog now! 

    So, what about this whole new look? With the new blog name, I thought a new design was necessary. Guess what's so great about the design? I designed it myself! My first complete web/blog design, from scratch!  

What do you think of the new blog name and the new look? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

xoxo, 

My First Set of Business Cards!

I just received a set of 50 Free Facebook Business Cards from Moo.com! The website is celebrating and sharing its new idea of using your Facebook profile information to create customized business and/or personal contact cards. Moo is giving 200,000 free packs of cards! Get them while they last!

My personalized set of cards! (Information was whiten out for privacy)

The front side of one of my cards. The front side includes your profile picture, your name, your Facebook Timeline cover photo, your education, and work.

Back side of the card, here you can write a quote or anything you would like at the top and provide your Facebook profile link, contact number, and e-mail on the bottom.

The cute little box the cards came in!

The back of your Moo business card box.
I thought these little cards were wonderful! They look really cool and I was glad I was lucky enough to receive my first box for free. As soon as these cards run out, I’m definitely planning on buying my own box. Moo has really won me over with their great idea to turn your Facebook profile into a card you can hand out. Instead of having people spend hours searching you on Facebook, just hand out your Facebook card and they can instantly access your profile!
Easily get yours while they still last. Sign into Facebook > Go to your profile (Timeline) > Click About > Click Contact Info> Click on Print Cards and customize your cards then order! First box is free if you get it in time! Plus, you can order your own pack! They are definately worth it! Start making your own cards now!

xoxo,