My girl Tasty Keish tweeted a Living Social coupon a couple weeks ago. $50 worth of business cards for $10. This is my chance, I thought. I’m “only” 21 and have come up empty handed in entirely too many “let’s swap cards” situations. Honestly, it’s embarrassing. I refuse to begin my summer in Phoenix without something to give potential clients and employers to remember me by. Granted, I’m pretty unforgettable (lies) and charming as all hell (pants on fire, i’m lying so hard), but just a little sum sum printed down all nice and purty-like would be a pleasant bonus.

My order: The coupon was through Vistaprint and 1,000 cards/color front & back/uploading my own designs would have costed over $60. Somehow, I ended up only paying $7.12 for 21-day shipping. Then a day later, I found a typo. WOMP.
Fortunately, my order wasn’t processed, so I had options. I could either re-submit the card design and have to pay full price, or the customer service guy could try to correct my typo on his own for a small fee. Small fee it is. I ended up paying about $20, but he gave me free 14-day shipping. Praise God, because 21 days is just too damn long to be waitin’ on stuff in 2012…

Bonus: I received the package in fewer than 14 days.

My design choices: At first, I was unsure about using a kid picture on my business card. I LOVE that photo, but does it make people want to hire me? Can you trust a 5 year old to edit 4 hours of footage into a 3 minute video? Five year olds can’t read, much less use Adobe Illustrator! ARE THEY FAIR AND UNBIASED?!? I asked Tasty Keish for advice, and she said I’m in the perfect place in my life for a card like this, and I agree. I’m bout my business, but I don’t take myself too seriously. The picture is warm and personable, and at the very least memorable. It also attracts the type of job I want. I think it screams “SEE THIS FACE???? IT’S NOT FINNA SIT AT A DESK ALL DAY!”

Since I’m not affiliated with any news organization or have a job title, I had to create my own. Something that would encompass everything I’ve done and WISH TO DO. Some expert somewhere would probably say that’s not a good idea, but at one point or another, you have to give your passion a name. I am a beginner, yes. I have not been hired full-time to do any of those things, no.

But I am capable of doing all of them if given the opportunity. Sorry I’m not sorry. Don’t let anyone make you feel small because you haven’t achieved something yet.

I’M A VISUAL STORYTELLER, GET FAMILIAR OR GET LOST.

I also added my Facebook “like” page, this blog, and my Twitter as ways to find me on the Internets. I’m still apprehensive about giving out my Twitter to potential employers, but that’s another post for another day.

In summation: this feels like the next step in defining myself professionally. I’ve always felt uncomfortable with the idea of “selling yourself” and forcing bullshitting showing people why they should hire you. It’s part of my “carefree” personality. If you’re meant to like me, you will. Without any convincing from me. But something’s got to give. My free time is almost up.

Loans, man. I’m talkin bout deeez loans, man.