When people ask about the journey to building StandOut Design, I always smile. The real story of my design career goes way back—to 1998, my senior year of high school. That’s when I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my life: You can’t teach grit, but grit can teach you everything you need to know.
It all started in a small-town classroom in Louisville, Ohio, where one of my teachers brought in local businesspeople to talk to us about the "real world" of work-life. I’ll never forget when a printing and design company owner—who would later become my first boss—walked in to speak. As he shared stories about his business, I felt inspired and opportunity knocking.
When his talk ended and he began packing up, I looked around the room at my classmates. No one was moving. No one was saying anything. But something inside me said, This could be your chance. Don’t let him walk out that door without trying. So, I stood up, walked over to him as everyone stared, and said, “I’m interested in going to college for design. Can I come see your shop after school?”
That afternoon, I went straight to his business. He gave me a quick tour and introduced me to his team. One of the designers was absolutely buried in work, and I noticed an empty desk and computer sitting unused. That’s when the thought hit me: This is your shot. Ask.
I turned to him and said, “What if I come in after my dishwashing shifts at the restaurant? I’ll help out, learn, and work for free. It’s a win-win—you get extra help, and I get to learn.” I’m not sure if he thought I was crazy or ambitious (probably both), but he agreed. For the entire summer, I showed up for 10–12 hours a week, doing whatever I could to contribute. By the end of the summer, I proved my worth. He hired me full-time and, not long after, let his lead designer of seven years go. Grit had opened the door for me, and I wasn’t going to let it close.
When One Door Closes…
Fast forward 15 years. I had worked my way up, learned the ins and outs of the industry, and built a solid career. Then, in the summer of 2014, everything changed. The company decided to close its doors and I was left standing on the sidelines of a career I had poured my life into.
I thought, No problem—I’ll just find another job. But I quickly learned that no degree meant no one would even look at my resume. Every agency I applied to either turned me down or ignored me altogether. I was ready to prove myself, but I couldn’t even get in the door.
One opportunity came up at FastSigns. It was down to me and one other candidate, and the final test was to design a banner in just 10 minutes. I remember sitting down at the computer, ready to crush it. But then I froze. It wasn’t a Mac—it was a PC. The shortcuts were different, the software felt foreign, and I spent more time fumbling than designing. I submitted something, but it wasn’t my best work. I didn’t get the job.
Six months later, FastSigns called me back. The owner said she had let the designer they hired go and wanted to offer me the position. But by then, I had already started StandOut Design. I politely declined, and instead, she hired me to do freelance design work for her until she could find a replacement. Looking back now, that rejection was a blessing in disguise. Had I gotten that job, I may have never started StandOut.
Turning Grit into Growth
Gary Vee once said, “Skills are cheap. Passion and perseverance are priceless.” My journey from high school to starting StandOut Design has been built on that principle. I didn’t have a degree, but I had grit. I didn’t have all the answers, but I had the willingness to show up, work hard, and figure it out.
When one door closed, I knocked on another. And when that didn’t work, I built my own. That’s what grit is all about—it’s about refusing to give up when things don’t go your way. Jesse Itzler puts it perfectly: “Grit is what turns dreams into reality.”
Every setback taught me something. Not getting hired at FastSigns showed me that my path wasn’t about working for someone else—it was about building something of my own. And that’s exactly what StandOut Design has become.
10 Years of Hustle and Heart
Now, 10 years later, I look back on those early struggles with gratitude. They weren’t easy, but they shaped me into the person and entrepreneur I am today. As Alex Hormozi says, “The most valuable lessons come from the moments you don’t think you’ll survive.”
I’ve learned that grit doesn’t just get you through the tough times—it builds something lasting. From walking up to a stranger in my high school classroom, to working for free in the summer, to creating StandOut Design from the ground up, every step of the journey has been fueled by the belief that hard work and perseverance always pay off.
As we celebrate 10 years in business, I’m reminded of how far grit and determination can take you. To anyone out there chasing a dream, remember: “You don’t need a degree to be successful, but you do need the willingness to work harder than anyone else,” as Luke Belmar says.
Here’s to the next 10 years of hustle, heart, and never giving up. And to every client, team member, and supporter along the way—thank you for believing in StandOut Design. You’re the reason we’ve come this far.
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