My Story

Smart Boy Designs has been up and running for a few years now. We’re coming up on it’s 5th birthday in June.

I don’t really have much on here in terms of my background and by reading this post you’ll learn a little about my history.

• Why am I qualified to write this blog?
• Why do I find joy in blogging?
• What do I do for a living?
• Why do I write?

You can find me dabbling in a few different ventures and not sitting for long.

Whether it’s working online, playing at the ocean or spending time at the local library – life has taken me in many directions. I’ve lived a whole lot and failed a bunch as well. It’s been life.

This “story” will focus majorly on my online life versus personal. Let’s begin.

My Early Beginnings: Age 10-14

I learned then that social media is a very personable experience.

I got my start in social media when I was ten.

My experience was first in a few social communities for kids, one being Neopets, where I developed a group for kids to connect and discuss their pets.

Because it was my first experience with social media, it was difficult. I didn’t know what to expect and how to achieve my goal of becoming a great group for others.

What I did to grow the social group was:

• Make everyone feel important and loved.
• Find joy in talking to others about their pets.
• Let everyone have a part in sharing content and building the community.

With a little work it turned into a very active, well-viewed group. I learned then that social media is a very personable experience.

Did you use Geocities?

Soon after, I started my first Geocities website when blogs weren’t yet the norm. Christian’s Animal Care Sheets was my first. A place where I shared my experience with snakes, lizards and dogs.

We’ve always had a few animals around the home at any given time. I love animals.

The website never really took off in any large scale, but in its prime received one hundred visitors per day.

It took hard work. It was the age of topsites, reciprocal linking and graphic badges. I remember the countless emails trying to get to know webmasters and establishing a connection.

How “Smart Boy” was born.

I studied web design long enough (in school and a little in college) to the point where I was finally fluent in HTML and began building simple websites for friends and family at a low price.

This is where the “smart boy” name was derived from.

I was always the one growing up that grandparents and relatives would come to for computer problems, website needs, etc…I’d hack out some code for their use and they’d always respond with, “Thank you Christian! You’re such a smart boy.”

The Dog Years: Ages 15-18

I’ve always loved dogs. My first dog was a dalmatian named Perdy (pictured at the top of the post) and many other dogs in-between. Then in the 7th grade I read a Gary Paulsen book, Woodsong, about dog sledding.

It caught in my heart like wildfire.

I rescued my first husky, and I started a small team of three dogs. We trained in the Sierra Nevada mountains often, and I began to document my experiences. My dog sledding methods were all “self taught” using resources online – and I began to train my huskies.

The Creation of Sleddoggin

Using my years working online with websites and blogs, I decided to start Sleddoggin, the world’s community online for mushers. I realized there wasn’t much online in terms of mushing resources; so I set out to create them.

After networking with other mushers from around the globe – from Norway to South Africa – Sleddoggin quickly became one of the largest dog-powered sport communities in the world online.

The biggest success certainly came after I started interviewing top racers, managing a team of writers and developing an eCommerce portion to the website. All catered and specific to the mushing demographic.

The Sleddoggin.com booth at a local event.

This was my first experience with marketing and advertising; and soon the website (through advertisers) was sponsoring my entire dog sledding wardrobe. Sleds, equipment, gear, ropes, harnesses and high-tech equipment. Northern Outfitters even sent me their top of the line, coldest cold-weather clothing in the world.

Most of these items were exchanged in place of advertising and/or product reviews on the site.

It was an interesting thing to manage at such a tender age of fifteen. It was easily worth a basic college education in marketing and web development, so I’m grateful for the lessons!

Eureka! Social media works!

Sleddoggin continues to this day, but I’m currently looking at ways to change its direction in my spare time.

Over the years I was amazed at the response from the online mushing community, and I began to focus my studies on social media and its powers.

The power of “niche” marketing and networking within small communities.

Thousands of visitors and a small income later, I decided to scale back with Sleddoggin in order to focus on other things in my life. My mission trip to Colorado, music and working with Smart Boy Designs. Sleddoggin continues to this day, but I’m currently looking at ways to change its direction during my spare time.

What I Do Now: Ages 19-20

An online presence is pointless if you don’t live a presence offline as well.

Smart Boy Designs has always been a part of my online experience. First as a static website, then blogger blog and now something built on the WordPress platform.

It’s always been my place to document what I learn through writing, which is one of my passions.

I don’t make an income solely from this blog (so I wouldn’t consider myself a full-time blogger) but many of my leads and clients have come through this marketing medium.

A funny story.

Something most people don’t know about me is that once in college I actually failed a basic website building class. This was when I was quickly becoming busy with web development, Sleddoggin and consulting; and my college career quickly fell apart.

I smile back sheepishly – and laugh at the irony.

My Current Focus

Focus is the water and sun to the tender seedling of imagination and creativity.

Now a majority of my time is focused on social media and web development for clients.

A current project (partnered with my Father) is A Day At The Beach. For a long while my father has been an event manager and producer, and this is his latest creation.

A Day At The Beach is an event that will soon go country-wide, delivering beach day fun to the masses.

I’m currently engaged as the web developer, social media strategist and media aide. Before launch we’re starting with close to 3,000 Facebook fans and a strong network of support. We’re excited about the viral possibilities. Or, as Tristan would say, the bacterial possibilities.

Other clients keep me busy with logo creation, consulting and social media campaign management.

I hope it’s been at least a tad bit interesting reading about my adventures.

They aren’t fantastic or extreme, but it’s sure been a fun journey.

I don’t proclaim to be a genius or expert in many things; because I’m always learning.

Getting my Eagle Scout award.

A few things I’ve learned.

“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.”  -Clay P. Bedford

I don’t think there’s ever a day I don’t learn something.

I remember when I was in the Boy Scouts and every merit badge offered a new horizon in something new.

Everything from basket-weaving to fingerprinting to shooting to first aid.

It was an incredible experience where I realized that I will never finish my journey in learning on this earth.

Here are just a few things I’ve learned from the process of blogging, in order to summarize the experience:

• I will never know everything and often it’s less then I think. The blogging community is continually pushing boundaries and borders and lives as an incredible, breathing entity. I learn so much from each of you.
• Social media is always changing. It takes courageous effort to stay on top and know the latest in methods and marketing.
• An income online takes hard work, especially in the beginning.
• I love the freedom of an online work life. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work online. I wouldn’t trade it.
• Working online takes dedication, balance and self-control. Blogging and the online realm is not everything to me. What’s everything to me is pursuing my dreams and passions; and spending time with my family and friends. Working online is often a means by which I can accomplish these things. I don’t expect to have lived my life and only have accomplished tasks online. I don’t think that’s how life should be lived. It’s important for me to realize this belief, and remember where my true priorities lie. I want to travel the world, I think of diving into politics, pursue my interest in music and live a vibrant, happy life.
• Step back and ask yourself often, “What is this project’s purpose?” Often I’ll get caught in doing something for the sake of doing it. Life’s too short to waste precious time. I do my best to analyze every effort and decide whether it’s something that should be cut or continued. Whether it’s in terms of social media, blogging or networking.

The Saga Continues

Often, we do not realize the impact of our actions. And sometimes we never do.

If you’ve made it this far; I thank you.

I want to take a moment and thank each of you who have given me so much. Even if it’s been something as simple as a short comment in response to a blog post. Those are often the comments that help to give me a boost; and rise to the challenges that lie before me.

Often, we do not realize the impact of our actions. And sometimes we never do.

It’s not about me.

Realize that it’s not all about me. I wrote this post to encapsulate my online life in a simple format, and to hopefully give you a little look in the process. Of a digital nomad. A young dude trying to understand this grand thing we call the “internet.”

Realize that it’s all about you.

It’s about Rob, Justin, Dino, Adrienne, Frank, JK, Janet, Ingrid, Srinivas, Marcus, Stan, Michael, Chaudie, Marco, John, Eugene, Benny, and so many more.

I want to read more about you. Connect with you. Link to you. Learn from you.

So thank you for sticking with me. With all my faults and weaknesses (I know there are many). I hope that I can continue to deliver content that is useful, transparent and genuine. I hope to connect with you in deeper ways and develop friendships that last.

Build friendships that transcend the realms of virtual – and dive deep into reality.

Dog sledding with my three wheeled training cart. This is called "dryland" mushing. Three dog team.

Playing piano and singing at a local elderly care facility.

My family in Yosemite before doing some rock climbing.

Dog sledding near my home on the borders of Lake Tahoe.

A few of us a boys a couple years ago near Pebble Beach in Monterey Bay, California.

My Dad's side of the family at Disneyland this past March. Can you find me? Hint: I'm near the mouse.

My family at Disneyland.

Well, you've made it to the end of my photo reel. This picture is where all the "magic" happens. My back deck. The place I live each morning with my laptop while blogging, commenting and reading about the current status of the blogosphere. Thanks for making it fun!

One thing you can do for me today: If you haven’t already, write down your story. Post it to your blog. I want to hear it.

*The word count for this post is over 2,000. How fun!

Tagged as: Blogging, christian hollingsworth, how do i make money online, my story, smart boy, smart boy designs, what is my story, where did I come from