After three full years of working for myself, I’m now joining forces with Happy Cog. I’ve enjoyed working for myself so much over the years. It’s been exciting, successful and extremely fun. For those reasons, I never really looked for a “real job”. The idea didn’t appeal to me. I knew if someone came knocking and actually lured me away from this career, it would have to be someone special. So when they asked me if I wanted to move to Philadelphia and work at Happy Cog, I told myself that this time I should really consider it.
Let’s slow down for a sec. In fact, let’s rewind back to 2003 or so. I was living in Alaska and I started reading a book about web design by Happy Cog’s founder, Jeffrey Zeldman. You may have heard of it. I thought to myself, “This stuff makes sense and I should do it”. A few years later, I decide to quit my job and do this stuff full-time.
In 2007 I got a chance to meet a bunch of the Happy Cog crew and we hit it off very well. Well enough, in fact, that in the fall of that same year I started doing some freelance work for them and shortly thereafter got the exciting title of “Strategic Partner”. We continued to enjoy working together on projects here and there, while not-so-subtle hints kept coming up from some of the people there that I should really just pull up stakes and come work there full time.
Back in July, when Daniel Mall left Happy Cog to work at Big Spaceship, the topic came up again. It just so happened at the time I had a trip planned out to Philly anyway for some Happy Cog work, so we turned that trip into a bit of an extended interview. It wasn’t long till we all came to the conclusion that our working together, in a more permanent situation, would be a good idea.
I was giddy.
Starting in September, I will be working full-time at Happy Cog East in Philadelphia. I’ll be doing a bit of design, lots of front-end work and some CMS work too. Basically, all the stuff I love and do right now, minus the whole “running a business” part.
I’m wrapping up all my existing commitments with Be Good Not Bad, and basically winding down most of my work. I will be open to a few limited projects on the side, but definitely an emphasis on “few” and “limited”.
We are very excited about this new chapter. I had no idea when I wrote this blog post what, exactly, 2009 had in store for me.
Be Good Not Bad is all about really good web design, based on the utmost respect for web standards, accessibility and respect for the user. Based in Denver, Colorado, Be Good Not Bad is run by Brian Warren, freelance designer, blogger, homebrewer and coffee nut.
Congrats, Brian. I hear you about the whole “running a business” part - it’s time consuming and not always fun. Now you’ll have more time to do what you do.
§ By Ryan Masuga at 7:51pm on August 10 2009
So happy. So, so happy.
§ By Greg Hoy at 7:54pm on August 10 2009
Woah! Awesome!
§ By Keith at 7:54pm on August 10 2009
Wow, Brian, that’s amazing… congratulations! I was hoping that would be the outcome of all those conversations!
§ By Dan Mall at 7:54pm on August 10 2009
Congrats and welcome to the area- Brian.
The Cogs of Philadelphia are wonderful, talented, and FUN people. I hope I get to say hi in person soon!
jack.
§ By jack. at 7:57pm on August 10 2009
Congratulations and best wishes to you and your family on this exciting new chapter! You have made a stellar career for yourself as a freelancer and now joining forces with the Happy AirCog Army, is absolutely awesome news. It won’t be the same around here with out you, and we are definitely going to miss hanging out with you guys. I look forward to hearing about the new things that lie ahead.
§ By Derek Balmer at 7:57pm on August 10 2009
Great News, Good luck! Cheers
§ By Marko Mihelcic at 7:58pm on August 10 2009
So damn cool.
Does this mean we’ll have to pay you money to come give talks now? I think yes.
Congratulations on an awesome opportunity!
§ By Matt Crest at 7:58pm on August 10 2009
Huge congrats to you and your family Brian. We’ll miss you in Denver but we’re excited for your new adventures. We’ll be bringing mile high homebrew out in December!
§ By Eric Nance at 7:59pm on August 10 2009
I was wondering when they were going to fill that receptionists desk. What kind of headset did you get?
§ By Greg at 7:59pm on August 10 2009
I really enjoy your site and just wanted to offer a bit of congratulations! You should consider working at Happy Cog a huge success for yourself, I know I would.
Best of luck in your new chapter!
§ By Phillip at 8:00pm on August 10 2009
Congrats! Sounds like a great opportunity.
§ By Grant at 8:01pm on August 10 2009
Already told ya once, but huge congratulations. I’m sure you and the fam are gonna incredibly enjoy this next stage of your adventure.
Rock on!
§ By Josh Bryant at 8:01pm on August 10 2009
Once again, congratulations.
§ By Kevin at 8:10pm on August 10 2009
Whatever they’re offering.. I’ll double it!
I need the very best there is when it comes to Nintendo cartridge beta testing.
§ By Kirk D. at 8:12pm on August 10 2009
I’m *giddy* for you, bruther.
Good luck, safe travels, excitements lay ahead.
Cheers and good health to you three on this new adventure!
§ By Luke Dorny at 8:53pm on August 10 2009
Wow, huge news. Congrats to you and Happy Cog East!
We’ll certainly miss having you around here but this seems like a great match. Can’t wait to see what comes from it…
§ By Devin Reams at 9:17pm on August 10 2009
Congrats! That is exciting news, what a GREAT company to be a part of.
§ By Shane Guymon at 9:35pm on August 10 2009
Congratulations good sir! A beer long distance beer toast to you!
§ By Tom Watson at 10:15pm on August 10 2009
Look out Philly! Congrats Brian. I really did know you ‘when.’
§ By Vincent Thome at 11:43pm on August 10 2009
Denver is losing a great guy. Best of luck in your new adventure.
§ By Andrew Luter at 12:27am on August 11 2009
Congrats! The only thing better would be a follow-up announcement that you’ll actually be spearheading the Happy Cog Rocky Mountain office!
§ By Chip D at 1:30am on August 11 2009
Congrats man! Hopefully you realize this means much more XBox Live playing to be had, now that you’ll be living on EST
§ By Dan Rubin at 1:42am on August 11 2009
Congrats Brian! Welcome to the Eastern Time Zone. Have fun in Philly!
§ By Renaud at 1:58am on August 11 2009
Best wishes to you and your family on this exciting news. Hope this big move goes smoothly.
§ By Geert Leyseele at 6:58am on August 11 2009
We are thrilled to have you, sir.
§ By zeldman at 10:00am on August 11 2009
Great news, Brian, and congrats to Happy Cog on another find addition!
§ By Derek Jones at 1:05pm on August 11 2009
also *fine
§ By Derek Jones at 1:08pm on August 11 2009
SO, so proud of my big brother! Congrats! Happy Cog is lucky to have you - can’t wait to visit!
§ By Ali (Warren) Schlameus at 2:36pm on August 11 2009
Couldn’t be happier and more proud—very exciting to be just three hours away!
§ By Jim Warren at 9:31am on August 12 2009
Great news Brian, and hearty congratulations!
§ By Jon Hicks at 9:41am on August 12 2009
Thank you so much everybody! It’s humbling and awesome to be going into this big change with all your support. Tally ho!
§ By Brian Warren at 7:22pm on August 12 2009
Exciting news. Congrats to you and Happy Cog as well!
§ By Jason Beaird at 5:02pm on August 20 2009