22 Years of Block 81

Today marks Block 81’s 22nd anniversary. It’s wild to me that that much time has passed, but here we are! I didn’t write a post for the twenty year milestone for whatever reason, but twenty-two years feels like the right time to pause and celebrate. Sometimes the “off” anniversaries feel even more meaningful.

When I started this business in 2003 (originally named 420 Design), the web, as you can imagine, was a very different place. True content management systems weren’t as common, most websites were built with table elements and hacks, CSS was essentially still in its infancy, and JavaScript was foreign to me. Macromedia Flash was all the rage and we updated sites via FTP rather than the git deployments we use today.

I remember experimenting with (and using) tools like Microsoft FrontPage, Adobe GoLive, and Dreamweaver—many of which no longer exist. My workspace featured a heavy desk from AnthroCart and a decently sized monitor, but everything was tied to a desktop computer. A Mac Pro tower, if memory serves. The idea of working remotely or from home wasn’t just uncommon, it was often viewed with skepticism by clients who expected businesses to have a physical location or office space and regular office hours.

What’s Changed, What Hasn’t

My design philosophy has always been rooted in minimalism and simplicity. (Something that used to be called “clean design”. Is that a term still a thing?) That hasn’t changed really. If anything, it’s evolved to include a heavier focus on user experience (UX) and accessibility which are now disciplines in their own right.

Design fundamentals I learned early on about problem solving and visual communication still apply, but the execution has become more involved as marketing strategies and tactics have changed.

What’s changed quite a bit is my tech stack, which isn't too surprising I suppose. What used to be just a simple code editor and FTP app, it now includes environment-based development, command line tools, build tools, git, and deployment automation.

My workspace has transformed a bit too. While I’m at home in Portland or Phoenix, I use a larger screen with my laptop. But when I’m traveling and doing an extended stay somewhere else, I work directly on my laptop. It’s not as nice as having a larger screen but having the freedom to work from anywhere is worth the sacrifice and is a perk I don’t plan on giving up anytime soon!

I think maybe the biggest change has been responsive web design. We didn’t even have smartphones back then! But I do remember “dumbphones” or feature phones that started to include web browsers. The shift from designing single, fixed-width layouts to creating experiences that work seamlessly across devices has completely transformed how I approach every project.

The Business Sustainability Milestone

By my third year in business I realized that Block 81 had become something sustainable. The business had grown steadily, and I’d read somewhere that a lot of small businesses like mine don’t thrive beyond three to five years. I don’t know if that’s still the case, but making it to three years felt fortunate. Making it to twenty-two feels extraordinary.

If I could give my 2003 self some advice, it would be to learn the business side of things earlier and more thoroughly, as well as to experiment more with marketing to avoid the feast-or-famine cycles that plagued those early years. I’d also tell myself to lean into recurring income streams more, like web hosting and site maintenance, both of which have become crucial to Block 81’s stability. And I’d definitely mention that this whole “digital nomad” thing (a term that hadn’t been coined yet) would be possible earlier than I realized, even if it was rare for that time.

The Power of Being Responsive

Relatively early on I noticed a pattern of prospective clients telling me their previous designer or developer would take days, sometimes weeks, to respond to simple questions or requests (something I still hear every now and again by the way). So that became—and still is—one of my core differentiators. I made it a point to reply within a business day while maintaining boundaries for my personal time. (Hint: it's not that hard.)

Through this it became very clear that clients just want regular updates and someone they can rely on. Letting the, know when I’ll be working on something or when they can expect to hear from me next prevents a lot of frustration on either side. It’s so simple, but it’s been fundamental to client retention, relationships, and successful projects.

I Still Love My Job

After twenty-two years I’ve seen colleagues move on to other ventures in different industries or take full-time jobs. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that—people need to do what's best for them! But me? I still love my job and, specifically, I love being my own boss. I also still love the complete process: taking a project from discovery through to design, development, and launch. It can be lengthy and challenging, and running my business has its ups and downs. But seeing a design the client loves come to life or helping them leverage the web better is still incredibly rewarding. It’s even better when they share positive feedback about increased business metrics or customer engagement.

Looking Forward

As I enter year twenty-three, success will be measured by the relationships I nurture and build—new connections with colleagues and gaining the trust of new clients while maintaining my current roster.

The web has changed quite a lot since 2003, but what hasn’t changed is my commitment to being extremely responsive and trying to improve the client’s design (and development) experience. Here’s to continued success, quality work, and awesome clients and partners! 🥂

Thank you to all the clients, contractors, and colleagues who’ve been a part of this journey in some way. Your trust and collaboration have helped make Block 81 what it is today.