July 6, 2020 — Most of us hit the ground running with WordPress – we have a site to build for a client or ourselves and install ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to help us achieve our goals. As a WordCamp Lead and WordPress Meetup Organizer, I often have to talk the aforementioned builders off of the ledge with the tips contained in this presentation.
I’ll share the Lucky Seven, a few must-have WordPress Plugins everyone should use, and why you should be using each. In our time together we’ll also cover:
• What is a plugin? • Where to find plugins • The recommended way to find a plugin • Free vs Premium plugins • What factors to consider when choosing a plugin (support, community, etc) • Avoid common pitfalls users encounter when installing plugins
Join me as we work to help you achieve your goals, level up, add value to your practice with WordPress.

June 16, 2020 — Learn what inspires others to become WordPress community enthusiasts!

These community leaders have organized countless WordCamps, Meetups, and other community events; spoken at even more; and encouraged others to contribute-to, learn-from, and participate-in the WordPress community.

September 12, 2019

May 17, 2019 — We’ll talk WordPress with one of its brightest stars, Community Leader, WordCamp Organizer & Speaker, Verious B Smith III, about his journey in WordPress and growing his business.

May 17, 2019 — We’ll talk WordPress with one of its brightest stars, Community Leader, WordCamp Organizer & Speaker, Verious B Smith III, about his journey in WordPress and growing his business.

December 13, 2018 — Imagine having a child with special needs being prevented from attending class each day, or your elderly parents being forced to constantly climb flights of stairs to eat meals? Inconceivable! But yet designers and developers make ill-advised, personal decisions that place barriers – ignoring twice as many disabled Americans than LIVE the cities of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston combined.

Presentation Slides »

June 11, 2018 — After years of general fatigue, a myriad of tests without an answer, a catheter was inserted through my hip eventually winding its way to my heart, discovering two blocked arteries. After successfully re-opening them, I set out on difficult cardio-rehabilitation to regain heart fitness. During the next three months (including a leave of absence from work), I set out to restore my physical, spiritual and emotional well being. This speech details a 3-month journey of rediscovery the things that nourish and nurture each of these three areas — a thirst for learning, unearthing my dormant creativity and all things WordPress.

I set out to become more mindful of the things that bring me positive energy including truly engaging in the Community — 4 WordCamps, 16+ WordPress Meetups, and Events, designed a Wapuu, and a website build/brand to give back. From Castaic north to Palmdale (northernmost Los Angeles County), east to Riverside and all ports of call in-between (Pasadena, Whittier, Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles) learn what makes good clubs while finding a network of common minds and colorful characters and gain inspiration to start the WordPress Santa Clarita Valley Meetup, over 8,000 Miles later.