Every successful journey starts with a crossroads, and mine began in 2011 after graduating with a degree in Computer Education. Like many fresh graduates from small towns, I found myself facing a critical decision: follow the traditional corporate path in a big city or return to my small hometown in Greece, where tech opportunities were limited.
What I knew for certain was that I wanted to earn my living through the internet, working independently without geographical constraints. The traditional path – teaching or working in a corporate environment – didn’t appeal to me. This became crystal clear in early 2012 after a brief corporate experience that made me realize just how much I craved something different.
The turning point came in summer 2013, when a friend and I decided to take a leap of faith. We challenged ourselves to create a WordPress theme for ThemeForest. This wasn’t just about building a product; it was about testing whether we could create our own path to location-independent work. To our surprise, the theme’s success exceeded our expectations, leading to several more successful themes over the next few years.
By mid-2016, as the WordPress theme market began to evolve, I found myself at another crossroads. That’s when a Reddit post led me to discover Codeable, a platform for WordPress developers. Since September 2016, I’ve completed over 890 projects, maintained a 4.97/5 rating, and most importantly, achieved my dream of working independently while traveling the world with just my laptop.
This isn’t just another success story. It’s a testament to how persistence and clear vision can help you create your own path, even when starting from a small town. Whether you’re a developer questioning the traditional career path or someone dreaming of location-independent work, I hope my journey can provide some insights and inspiration.
Starting Small
Like many developers from smaller towns, my journey began in an environment where tech opportunities were scarce. The local businesses were traditional, and the concept of digital transformation was still in its early stages. But sometimes, limitations can become your greatest advantages.
During 2013-2014, I started exploring the WordPress ecosystem, learning its intricacies while building my first themes. What began as simple experimentation soon turned into a serious endeavor. The WordPress community, despite being entirely online, provided the mentorship and guidance that wasn’t available in my local area.
My initial breakthrough came with our first ThemeForest submission. The process was intense – countless hours of coding, debugging, and refining. We weren’t just building a theme; we were building our ticket to location independence. When that first theme succeeded beyond our expectations, it validated our entire approach to independent work.
The theme marketplace taught me invaluable lessons about product development. Each theme needed to be versatile enough for various use cases, yet simple enough for non-technical users. This balance between functionality and usability became a cornerstone of my development philosophy.
What really transformed my perspective was realizing that in the digital economy, your location doesn’t define your opportunities. While others saw a small town as a career obstacle, I began to see it as an advantage. Lower living costs meant more time to invest in skill development. The lack of local competition pushed me to think globally from day one.
Between 2014 and 2016, we released several successful themes. Each release taught me something new about user experience, customer support, and product marketing. More importantly, it showed me that with the right approach, you could build a sustainable career from anywhere in the world.
The Transition to Global Markets
My ThemeForest journey was a roller coaster of learning experiences. Some themes achieved great success, while others didn’t meet our expectations. Each new theme brought new challenges and learning opportunities. At one point, we were struggling with design aspects, and I had to venture into this completely unfamiliar territory. After countless nights of work and many failed attempts, I finally created a design that won an Honorable Mention Award. This process taught me that success isn’t always a straight line – what matters is not giving up when faced with challenges.
By mid-2016, the WordPress theme market was undergoing a significant transformation. Market dynamics were shifting, bringing new opportunities and challenges. It was during this period of change that I discovered Codeable through a Reddit post. The platform immediately caught my attention – it was known for bringing together the world’s top WordPress developers and maintaining exceptionally high standards.
The platform’s rigorous vetting process reflected their commitment to excellence. While I was confident in my technical skills, I knew joining Codeable would mean proving myself among the best in the field. I submitted my application around February 2016, and in September, I received an invitation to participate in their vetting process. After successfully completing their thorough evaluation, I was accepted into the platform – a moment that marked a significant turning point in my career.
Joining Codeable wasn’t just about finding a new platform – it was about becoming part of an elite community of WordPress experts. The collaborative environment among developers and Codeable staff creates an incredible space for growth and learning. Through this community, I’ve gained invaluable insights into client communication, project management, and pricing strategies. The support and knowledge sharing continue to enhance my professional development to this day.
The first months were both challenging and inspiring. Getting those first projects, earning client trust, proving myself – everything was starting from scratch again. But the platform’s structured approach and supportive community made all the difference. Each project brought new learning opportunities, and the high standards pushed me to deliver my best work consistently.
Key Milestones and Achievements
Success in the digital world isn’t just about numbers – it’s about building lasting relationships and delivering consistent value. Yet, the numbers do tell part of the story: over 890 completed projects, a near-perfect 4.97/5 rating, and clients spanning multiple continents.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the quantity of projects, but the quality of relationships built along the way. Some of my clients from 2018 are still working with me today in 2024, a testament to the value of building trust and maintaining professional excellence. These long-term relationships have evolved beyond just service provision into true technological partnerships.
The journey taught me invaluable lessons about pricing and value. Early in my career, I fell into the common trap of under-pricing and overworking – spending countless hours trying to prove myself. Over time, I learned that quality work deserves fair compensation. Increasing my rates actually led to better project outcomes: happier clients, more focused work, and better work-life balance. The key wasn’t to do more projects at lower rates, but to provide higher value to clients who appreciated quality work.
One of my proudest achievements has been maintaining a perfect work-life balance while embracing true location independence. Since 2014, my wife and I have traveled to 27 different European countries – something that would have been impossible with a traditional 9-to-5 job. Working remotely has given me the freedom to maintain a stable base in my hometown while exploring the world, proving that with proper planning and communication, you can build a successful career without sacrificing your personal dreams.
The path wasn’t without its challenges. There were difficult clients, misunderstandings, and even false accusations about site issues. These experiences taught me the importance of detailed documentation and clear communication. Every challenge became a lesson in professional growth.
Perhaps the most meaningful milestone was my first independent client, who I’m still in touch with today. They represented more than just a project – they were the gateway to proving that this career path was viable. This early success gave me the confidence to pursue bigger opportunities and eventually join Codeable.
Looking Forward
After more than a decade in WordPress development, I’ve witnessed tremendous changes in the industry. Yet, one thing remains constant: the opportunities for those willing to adapt and grow are endless.
Looking ahead, I see the WordPress ecosystem continuing to evolve. With the rise of AI, headless architectures, and new web technologies, there’s never been a more exciting time to be a WordPress developer. But more importantly, there’s never been a better time to build a location-independent career.
For those considering a similar path, here’s what I’ve learned:
First, focus on building solid foundations. Technical skills are important, but communication, project management, and business acumen are equally crucial. Your ability to understand client needs and deliver solutions effectively will set you apart more than coding skills alone.
Second, don’t be afraid to start small. Every major client I have today started with a simple project. What matters is not the size of the project, but the quality of work and the relationships you build. Some of my longest-standing client relationships began with minor customizations that grew into full-scale partnerships.
Third, value your work appropriately. It took me years to learn that charging premium rates isn’t just about earning more – it’s about providing better value to clients. When you charge what you’re worth, you can focus on delivering quality rather than rushing through projects to make ends meet.
Finally, remember that success in the digital age isn’t tied to your location. Whether you’re from a small town or a major city, what matters is your dedication to quality and your ability to deliver results. The internet has leveled the playing field – use that to your advantage.
As I continue my journey, my goal isn’t just to take on more projects or increase revenues. It’s to keep evolving with the industry, to maintain the perfect balance between professional growth and personal freedom, and perhaps most importantly, to help others realize that they too can build a successful career on their own terms.
The path of an independent developer isn’t always easy, but it’s infinitely rewarding. If you’re standing where I stood years ago, wondering if you should take the leap – take it. With dedication, continuous learning, and a clear vision, you can build a career that gives you both professional satisfaction and personal freedom.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for being part of my journey! I’m curious about yours:
- What’s holding you back from going independent?
- Which part of my story resonated with you the most?
- What would you like to know more about?
Drop your thoughts in the comments – let’s learn from each other! 🚀
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