About Me

My Mantra:
“Life’s too short not to run outside and catch snowflakes on your tongue when given the opportunity.”

My Story:

Hello, my name is Jan Ellen Ball and I am a web design specialist, and the Founder of Grape Juice Media. I created this small interactive agency when I found myself with over a decade of web design and other interactive experience, yet unable to secure full-time employment in my field as a creative talent.

I had been doing freelance web design work since 1997 on a part-time basis, usually in addition to maintaining various temporary full time jobs in the interactive field. You see, I have a form of autism known as Asperger Syndrome. Over the years, I have found it difficult to maintain a steady job onsite under a corporate roof due to my affliction with many sensory issues. I am easily distracted by noise, I have sound and light problems with florescent lighting (which nearly all offices have) and am sensitive to crowds, smells, and certain other stimuli. I am also very anxious by nature and typically have trouble really “fitting in” as a result. I typically only last a few months in a corporate setting, yet – these were the types of jobs for which I always applied. Quite frankly, I never thought I could make a true living trying to freelance on a full-time basis. Working temp jobs in the interactive corporate world had always sort of worked – until the economy went bad a few years ago, anyway.

In 2011, after yet another unsuccessful attempt at trying to land a job in the corporate world, I sat in my home office and pondered out loud: “Wow… life sure has dealt me a lot of lemons lately…” One of my favorite things to say whenever faced with a negative situation is this…

When life gives you lemons, make GRAPE JUICE – and watch everyone scratch their heads, wondering HOW you did it!

It was time for me to make some grape juice out of my lemons.

So… I found myself saying “Hmmm…. what if I WERE to try to freelance on a FULL time basis?” After all, many people ARE starting their own small businesses right now – a large number of them because they cannot find a job any other way! If I worked out of my home, I could wear comfortable clothing, be in a controlled and quiet environment with no distractions, and I would be SO much more productive. This would also enable me to be at ease in the workplace for the first time in my life. And as an added bonus, just think of how I would be doing my part to help the environment by not having to commute!

So once again… I found myself pondering… and I came up with this: “What if I could bring together a small “team” of amazing talent to back me up in this endeavor… each of them bringing their own special niches of interactive services to the table? Then I could TRULY offer a uniquely-targeted interactive agency that caters to small businesses!!” I did, after all, have some a few wonderful peers who I had worked with in the past, and who I knew would love to have some nice freelance opportunities such as this. I could use them for the interactive areas in which they excel, and handle the parts of the projects myself (like design and social media) in which I excel. It seemed like a win-win!

What would I call it? Well…if you remember… I WAS making grape juice, after all…

Thus – Grape Juice Media was born!

Grape Juice Media is based in the Chattanooga, TN area (Ringgold, GA to be specific) and brings you an array of interactive solutions that are second to none! From online corporate branding and web design to website maintenance, search engine optimization, social media development and integration, WordPress blog setup & design and more … This is your one-stop shop for all things web! We also offer photography services (product and on-site photography, corporate portraits, social media profile pics, etc…) – so no more excuses – you can make your own visual impact on the web and be on your way to strengthening your online marketing plan today!

I am truly excited about this venture, and think that we have something very special to offer. I look forward to blogging on a regular basis to keep everyone up to date on Grape Juice Media’s projects, how we’re doing, and what’s happening in the world of interactive media, so be sure to stay tuned to our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In, and all points beyond!

In my spare time I enjoy drawing, painting, and anything artsy & creative. I enjoy Sudoku and Word Find types of puzzles, as well as a few computer games of that nature. I also like to read – anything inspirational, as well as nerdy technical books and non-fiction. Additionally, I have to admit to spending much of my spare time keeping up to date on the ever-changing internet technologies and taking various online courses and seminars in order to further hone my craft. As if that weren’t enough to keep me busy, I really enjoy helping out with the Children’s ministries at our Church, volunteering to help teach an upper-elementary Bible study on Wednesday nights and Sunday School for that age group too – as well as teaching Children’s Church on Sundays about once a month. Children are our future – and I feel led to try and make a difference in these little lives in any way that I can.

Please feel free to visit me on any of the social networking sites, or visit my website to learn more about Grape Juice Media. I can also provide my resume, upon request, to any interested parties.

Thanks so much for visiting my website, and may you have a truly blessed day!