Firebelly Design

Thanks for sharing your story! I love those stories that pay homage to the trials and tribulations that life puts us through because they really do serve to guide us into the roles in which we ultimately belong. Great photo too!

Thanks Keith! I wrote this in part because it was on my mind, but also to sort of lay it out all there for those who often ask me how I got started. I didn't think much of it until I got home and Amy said she couldn't believe I was so candid about my life and that she was proud of me. I was surprised at her reaction, but I'm glad to hear it even inspired her (which is pretty cool given that she already knew pretty much every detail of this).

thank you for being so open and posting that. It really is great to hear where you started and came from. A lot of us are in the same shoes you were in when beginning our careers. It's very easy sometimes to look and see the end result of someones success, but to realize you had to go through some of the same trials and tribulations as my peers...really gives us hope and a sense of patience. Patience...something my generation is in much need of.

Thanks for sharing this Dawn! It's so great to read more about what has shaped you to become who you are.

Sometimes I think there are too few people in the world who let themselves be thoroughly affected by others and experiences. Really, it's the only thing that makes us, us. I can't say thanks enough for the last 2.5 years of being at firebelly. Learning so much, being pushed and encouraged by people I respect and giving me energy to try new things and be better at what I love to do. Dawn, your outlook and drive has definitely affected mine and i'm crazy grateful to say I've been a part of all this. Here's to the next 10, however they play out...

I know this sounds cheesy, but I think this story is a wonderful gift to give to the world. I do. I am very proud.

Great piece Dawn. Thanks for sharing your story, but I think you'd have been one strong-ass lady no matter how you got here.

thanks so much for sharing your story. you've been such an inspiration to me in so many ways and hearing more about your backstory only encourages me to keep on going through all the challenging stuff. thanks for living your life in such an amazing way.

Wow, all of you guys are so kind. I'm thrilled to hear how inspiring it is. What a gift you've all given me with your comments.

I know I've made my story sound a bit more simple and maybe even like I just figured it all out in the snap of my fingers. Truth is, my teenage years were pretty dark times. Sure I was a goth kid on the outside, but I was just as sad on the inside. I often contemplated suicide and I thank some amazing friends who never gave up on me.

We all have our own versions of these stories. And no matter what yours is, it is how you got where you are now. I agree with Will wholeheartedly that we should embrace these experiences. I'd even take it a step further and find a way to love them. Really. Be thankful for them. It's not easy to do, but once you can flip that switch in your head that current is set to 'why me' to read 'thank you' you stop living in the past and take giant strides forward. Of course, inevitably there will be something else that comes up, that is life. That is how we grow.

Oh, and Searah, you might be right... they didn't call me the red tornado for nothing!

This is just great. And I definitely agree with Amy, this story is a wonderful gift to the world, at least it was very inspiring to me. Really leaves me with a 'Can't wait for tomorrow' feeling. Thanks.

Dawn, Thank you for sharing your story. It gives inspiration to a girl like me. When I was a senior in college I discovered your company, a company that was doing everything with design that I wanted to do once I complete my degree. I, too, have a burning desire to give back to my community, as well as the world. Your company gave me hope when I thought companies were only in it for the money.

I haven't gotten to the point yet where I am thankful for the recent obstacles placed in my way, but I often remind myself that it is making me stronger. Like you in college I realized my attraction to women was more then just thinking they were beautiful. This attraction I had felt my whole life was a calling out from inside myself to wake up and realize what I really wanted and needed and to be true to the person I had always been. I went through a long bout of depression and fought my thoughts of suicide. I knew if I were to come out I would most definitely give up my close relationship with my mother, so I hid it from her for over a year. Like mothers do, she figured it out and things followed just as I knew they would. She told me that she now only had one daughter and that she did not accept me being gay. We no longer have a relationship as we did and she calls only if she needs something. I know someday I will be in a better place... a good job doing good things for others and a loving home, there is still hope in my heart for a renewed relationship with her but the last year and a half of my life has made me feel weak and lonely.

I thought about your company today and was visiting your site. This post was a godsend. I was feeling particularly upset today. Thank you for the hope both you and your company has given me. A hope for life and a hope for career.

Melissa... wow. A story that makes me so sad. Parents who just don't get it. I have had several friends go through this same experience and it's so unfortunate. I am even more sad for the parents though because of how deeply skewed their world must be that they would disown a child. WTF? Life is so short, is this how we want to live... come on parents, step it up.

Well if I have any wisdom to give, it is that it does get easier. It's been 15 years since I came out and it wasn't easy, but I didn't have the same situation as you. It's still not the easiest life to live (really a straight white male is a much easier life), but you gotta be who you are. That is the only way you will truly be happy. You can't live your life for other people. Regardless of how she figured it out, this is what was meant to be. As I said above, everything happens for a reason. Sometimes you just have to let go of people in your life that are trying to bring you down. If your mom isn't there to lift you up and support you know matter who you are and what you do, then she is selfish. And that is not unconditional love. It hurts like a mf, but it's the truth.

Here are my 6 mantras I try to live by. They have kept me on the up and up (not that I don't have my down times, I certainly do, but they really are good practices to live a happy life, both personally + professionally).

1. Think with you heart, go with your gut.

2. Give freely and often of your time, money & knowledge.

3. Collaborate with others. No one has all the answers. Not even close.

4. Take small steps every day. Don't get discouraged if you're not there yet.

5. If you really want it. You'll make it happen.

6. Doing good is contagious. Pass it on.

Keep in touch + if you're in Chi-town, say hello sometime.

dawn@firebellydesign.com

Your work with Firebelly is inspiring, and so is your story. I have a similar story, and like you was on my own at a young age. I am also a designer who is passionate about creating positive change and helping social causes. Thank you for talking about your work and life.