👋 Hi there, and welcome to my blog!

I’m George Griffin — a freelance writer, content creator, and digital generalist with a passion for storytelling, technology, and creative problem-solving. Whether you’re here to explore, collaborate, or just stumbled across my little corner of the web, I’m glad you’re here.

This is the story of how I went from learning code in high school to building a career in writing and digital creativity. If you’ve ever wondered “Can I really start freelancing without experience?” — this post is for you.

🧠 A Digital Start with Family Roots

My digital journey began in high school under the guidance of my dad, John Griffin, who introduced me to web development through tools like Adobe Dreamweaver.

I spent hours coding in HTML, experimenting with layouts, and even teaching myself Flash (back when it was the creative standard).

Those early days taught me two lasting lessons:

• Structure matters — coding is about precision.

• Imagination matters more — the ability to bring ideas to life is where creativity shines.

🏛️ Service, Storytelling & Giving Back

One of my earliest real-world projects was with Jefferson Outreach for Older People in San Antonio, Texas, where I:

• 🖋️ Wrote blog content

• 🎨 Designed flyers for fundraisers

• 💾 Digitized decades of physical records into a searchable database

It was deeply personal work. My grandmother, Doris Griffin, led the organization for more than 20 years, and her contributions were honored through the Doris Griffin Senior Center, built in partnership with the WellMed Charitable Foundation.

Seeing how digital skills could directly support meaningful causes left a permanent mark on me.

🚚 From Plumbing Trenches to Digital Solutions

After high school, I wore many hats — literally and figuratively. My jobs included:

• 🥡 Food delivery for Domino’s, Raising Cane’s, and Bite Squad

• 🧃 Working at Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages

• 📦 Shifts at Amazon and H-E-B

• 🚗 Driving for Meals on Wheels

• 🔧 Training as a plumber’s apprentice in Abilene, Texas

But no matter where I worked, digital kept calling me back.

At GeneCo, I found myself backing up documents — and before long, pitching redesigns for their:

• 🚛 Truck decals

• 🌐 Company website

• 📱 Social media presence

That was the turning point. I realized I wasn’t just a helper — I was a creator. That confidence pushed me to pursue freelance web development.

💼 Freelancing Wins (and Lessons Learned)

I designed websites for clients like:

• Duke Construction

• SportsMedSA Physical Therapy

It was rewarding work, but I quickly learned something important: skills alone aren’t enough. Marketing yourself matters, and I hadn’t built that muscle yet.

When client leads dried up, I fell back on side jobs. Later, I landed at Blue Cross Blue Shield, a corporate role that seemed stable — until a sudden layoff changed everything.

🚀 A Fresh Start at Astoria Media Group

Through Workforce Solutions of Texas, I found my way to Astoria Media Group, where I’ve been able to grow as a professional developer.

Here, I collaborate with a talented team and learned how digital strategy truly works at scale. It’s been transformative — and it reignited my desire to not just build sites, but to tell human stories through them.

✍️ Why I Write

Long before freelancing, I was always writing:

• 📖 Short stories

• ✏️ Competition essays

• 🗒️ Scripts and world-building notes for fun

That creative spark never left. Today, I’m drafting my first novel, but in the meantime this blog is my space to reconnect with language, share what I’ve learned, and offer something valuable to anyone who stops by.

🧭 Where I Stand, Personally

I’m a Christian, guided by the belief that God’s grace covers us beyond our flaws. I believe in religious freedom for all, and that everyone should have the liberty to live freely — as long as they’re not infringing on others’ rights or dignity.

Politically, I don’t lean hard left or right. I care about working-class people, honesty in policy, and practical support for those building their lives.

🎨 Today, I’m a Digital Generalist

These days, I proudly wear many hats at the intersection of creativity and technology:

• 🌐 Web development

• ✍️ Content writing

• 📹 Video editing

• 📱 Social media strategy

• 🎨 Design & branding

If it’s digital and creative, I’m interested.

You can explore my portfolio at George-Matthew.com.

💡 Final Thoughts + FAQs

This blog is the beginning of something new — a space to share ideas, grow in public, and connect with fellow creatives, entrepreneurs, and everyday thinkers.

FAQs:

Q: How can I start freelancing without experience?
A: Start small. Take on projects for nonprofits, family businesses, or personal experiments. Build a track record first.

Q: What digital skills are most valuable in 2025?
A: Content writing, web development, AI-assisted design, and social media strategy are in high demand.

📬 Call to Action

💡 If you’re thinking about freelancing, here are 3 things I wish I knew earlier:

• Your first client matters more than your first website.

• Marketing yourself is as important as your actual skills.

• Document your journey — it builds trust and creates content at the same time.

👉 What’s your freelance story? Drop it in the comments or connect with me on Threads and LinkedIn.

Thanks for reading — new posts coming soon!

—
George Griffin
Freelance Writer & Digital Creative
George-Matthew.com

Updated on 08/17/2025 for clarity, structure, and SEO.