I came to Dribbble back in 2013 to help out with some writing. Sounds vague. Was vague. Dan and Rich were posting the occasional Timeout and newsletter, but wanted more written content focused on the great work being shared via Dribbble. Today I produce four pieces a week highlighting but a fraction of the goodness.
Helping grow what was an occasional Tumblr blog into Courtside, a home not only for Weekly Replay, born in those early months of 2013, but also a host of stories has been incomparable, akin to helping launch a small magazine. Few writers/editors are lucky enough to be part of that experience.
Cue the cheesy music, because I also need to note how amazing the people are.
The amazing people are the designers on Dribbble. Daily, I'm blown away by their talent, but also they're funny and kind and incredibly smart, and email me positive affirmations such as, "You rock, Susanna!" (Maybe, but to Def Leppard, not whatever you kids are listening to.)
The amazing people are also my coworkers, a list that has expanded from three back in 2013 to seven with a part-time eight on the way. (Interested in a part-time support job at Dribbble? Check it out!)
Dan has been a boss of the cheerleader variety (hot pink pom-poms?), providing enthusiasm as well as spot-on guidance when I'm not sure which direction next. Plus he makes everything I write look great.
My partner in the community department, Alison, deserves her own slew of "you rock" emails. I throw out an idea. Alison throws out an idea to make it better. That's the kind of person you hope to have on your team.
Our crew of developers — Ian and Jeffrey and Patrick and Rich — are always willing to proof and copyedit, as is our designer Adam, who along with Patrick and Jeffrey, is my early-morning friend in the Slack room. I can't even begin to tell you what their jobs entail, but they are the wizards who make the Dribbble machine run.
This list is making me cry. Sniff. Sniff. Sob.
Wait, if You Love Dribbble So Much, Why are You Leaving?
Anyone out there founded a start-up? Or married to someone who founded a startup? That startup is a lot of your life, whether you’re the founder or the founder's spouse. Dan's a good friend of mine and Rich is my husband (and therefore an even better friend than Dan!). Dribbble's been a significant part of my life since 2009, and will continue to be a significant part of my life after my last day at the end of this month. Just not my job.
In other words, it's time for something new.
Such as?
With this blog post, I launch the official Search for the Next.
Got writing? Get in touch.