Jennifer Liu

When I was in 7th grade my mom started a website, and I offered to design her graphics. I created a brown and pink polka-dotted background and simple header image with just her business name using only the only program I knew, Paint. Gradually, my interest in graphic design continued to develop, as ...

When I was in 7th grade my mom started a website, and I offered to design her graphics. I created a brown and pink polka-dotted background and simple header image with just her business name using only the only program I knew, Paint. Gradually, my interest in graphic design continued to develop, as did the graphics on my mom's website when I became more knowledgeable about design. When I was 17 I started my own business. I created a website and put up posters around my town. I waited hopefully for a year for someone to contact me asking for services. Finally, I got a request. I was ecstatic and replied immediately to my potential client with various ideas and offerings. I waited patiently for a few days, but after a week or so I realized that I probably wasn't getting an answer. With the stress of my junior year in high school I lost focus on my business until that Spring when I took a chance and offered to create a banner-ad for a business advertising on my mom's website. The business owner liked my banner, and asked for my website address. After looking at my work, she emailed me directly about more services, and I finally had my first job. Suddenly things began to fall into place, as about a month later I received an email from another entrepreneur who had found my business through a banner on my mom's website and needed graphics for her site. Now, 5 months after my first job, I have worked with 4 clients and gained much more experience. I love my job and hope to continue developing my business throughout high school and college.