Back to Past Projects Overview
Table of Contents
Sometimes you’re not a good fit. Either with a full time job or freelance clients. Sometimes, you walk into a job hoping for stability—and find yourself in a role that drains you more than it builds you. That was my experience at D&M Restoration.
While the work itself was creative and technical, the environment eventually became unhealthy for me—mentally and emotionally. I stayed longer than I should have, but the lessons I took with me continue to shape how I work and who I work with today.
D&M Restoration (2010s)
D&M Restoration started as a client through SpinningSilk Multimedia. A fellow high school classmate reconnected with me at a reunion and referred me to the company. I initially came in to train someone on how to use a Drupal + UberCart site I had built for them—but after a few sessions, they asked if I’d consider coming on full-time to manage the site and their e-commerce store. I thought this would be a great fit.
At the time, I was coming off a tough season. A steady job sounded like the right next step—and for a while, it was.
The Work I Did:
• Rebuilt the e-commerce store using Zen Cart after the previous version had been mismanaged
• Managed online listings for Corvette parts, automotive carpet kits, tires, and restored components
• Handled product photography and wrote accurate, detailed descriptions
• Created product bundles that helped customers purchase complete solutions
• Oversaw drop-shipping workflows and in-house inventory listings
But over time, the role grew well beyond the original scope.
The company struggled with turnover in the front desk/secretary role, and I often stepped in to:
• Answer phones
• Handle payments
• Place orders
• Manage shipping and receiving
The original owner still worked as a senior tech, but had sold the business to someone whose leadership style didn’t align with how I worked best. It became clear that the environment wasn’t emotionally or mentally healthy for me, and I eventually recognized that I had stayed longer than I should have.
What I’d Do Differently Today
• Advocate earlier for structure, boundaries, and a team-based approach
• Build the store on a platform like Shopify for easier scaling and usability
• Track wins and build case studies—even without formal support
• Identify when a job is no longer sustainable and make a plan to move on sooner
The Takeaway
D&M taught me more than just e-commerce—it taught me about my limits.
• You can have the right skills and still be in the wrong environment.
• Stability isn’t worth it if it costs your mental health.
• And when you leave something that isn’t a good fit, you make room for something that is.
Coming up next: Day 6 – The Right Tools, the Right Timing (Coffee Shopping Network & JavaSmart)