Andrew Knight New Canaan is a professional front-end developer based in Connecticut. For several years, he has helped companies build websites and software owners create an engaging graphic user interface for customers.
Andrew Knight New Canaan is known for his dedication and attention to detail. He built a name for himself in the tech industry due to his passion and persistence in accomplishing goals for his clients. Currently, he has served business in varying industries–technology, telecommunications, retail, and even food production. He believes that businesses should be present in the online space, and he does his best to provide solutions for business owners to expand their market.
Mr. Knight started his career by working for several firms before deciding to branch out on his own. He knew that he could provide value to clients even working as a solo entrepreneur. Thankfully so, this big step truly paid back, as he was able to do more for his clients with a great deal of autonomy.
What was your best/favorite subject in school?
You could call me a nerd, but my favorite subject back in school was physics. I love learning about the laws of physics and how they can be applied in daily life. That was in high school, of course. As I moved on to college, programming became my thing. I was literally obsessed with learning new program codes, and I would often stay up all night to make programs from Javascript, or website components from PHP from scratch. I enjoyed experimenting with code and just building great things with them.
What was your first job?
My first job as a college student was in retail. I needed some extra money to cover my tuition and allowance expenses, so I worked afternoon shifts at a local clothing store in Connecticut. It was a humbling experience for me because I learned how a business can work and what are the small and big challenges that business owners face day-to-day. Plus, I got to have a better sense of style since then.
Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
I got into being a front-end developer on my 2nd job. I worked at a local firm creating websites through the use of Drupal. I was doing pretty well in that job, but something inside of me felt missing. I guess I had that “entrepreneurial” gene. I wanted to set my own schedule, build my own business name, and create a reputation for myself. That’s the defining moment for me. I decided to branch out and be a self-employed web developer.
How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
Those previous jobs helped me on two things–firstly, how a business works and secondly, enhancing myself in the field where I am working now. It also made me realize that small steps lead to great achievements.
Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
The best day of work I had was working for the telecommunications company based in LA, which was one of my first clients. I was pretty nervous because it was the first time I had partnered with a business in that field. At the end of the project, the CEO praised me for my “excellent work that surpassed all other revisions for their site”. On that day, I was very motivated and proud of myself.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
I keep myself motivated by being reminded of how I started in the past. Whenever I feel like my projects turn difficult, I just think that I am the best person to do the job that is why my clients asked for my help. Usually, that’s enough pep talk for me to keep on going with the projects.
What kind of business ideas excite you most?
The ideas that excite me the most are the trends that I see in web development and digital marketing. Since the rise of Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP), I have to learn quickly about similar trends to apply to my clients’ websites.
Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
I wouldn’t say unorthodox, but I once tried to give out business cards at a food exhibit I went to. It was just out of a whim, but that is where I also got my client who was a food production startup.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
I’m just very proud of the fact that I am able to help people thrive in their businesses. I don’t specifically chase for special awards or recognition. Just knowing that I did a job well done is enough to keep me satisfied with what I do.
What wisdom would you have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
Being an introvert in the past, I would have to advice myself to keep on building relationships with people. When I was younger, I didn’t know how to connect with people. I was anxious and I felt like I wasn’t good enough. But I realized that the only thing that could truly make me grow is to go out of my comfort zone. This is something I wish I learned sooner, and now I am much more confident because of it.