Saying goodbye is never easy. The power to delight millions of users in an instant, the inside access to some of the best people and brightest WordPress minds in the world, and a few key friendships forged there all made the decision to part ways with Automattic incredibly difficult. Not to mention the puns.
My chief goal in every pursuit is to leave a Thing better off than I found it. My favorite Thing at WordPress.com was premium themes; I stick my chest far out and head very high for the successes we all together brought to the platform and the dozens of premium WordPress theme developers around the world who we spent countless hours with empowering and educating. I loved every second of it, and to do it with the WordPress.com Theme Division was a pleasure.
But—there’s always a but!—considering where I’m at in my career and life, I think it’s best to leave on a high note, take some time to rest, and seek out another challenging and fulfilling opportunity while also making time to develop deeper relationships with the WordPress community throughout Asia.
Make no mistake about it, I’m doubling down on WordPress; you’ll next see me organizing WordCamp Hanoi in earnest and continuing to help bring WordPress into the lives of as many people as possible. WordPress has been my passion for the last decade; it’s been the single most influential part of my professional life and I don’t see that stopping any time soon. I stand strong and firm with confidence that WordPress is the future and can’t tell you how happy that makes me feel.
It’s been a thrilling few+ years, and I can’t thank Automattic enough for the time shared. I’m super-excited to see what my brilliant colleagues all come up with next; consider me one of the newest and loudest members of the Automattic fan club.
Dang, I’m gonna miss you nagging me. 😀
Thank you for your contributions to the WordPress Community via Automattic Inc, and (in advance) for your ongoing WordPress efforts as they continue in your private realm.
Sad to see you go. It’s been a pleasure having you onboard. Talk to you online, and best of luck with the next steps. 🙂
It’s been great to know you at Automattic and it’s still great to work with you in WordPress community in Hanoi. You’re a great man and a great friend! Hope everything good will come to you!
There will be many high-fives coming your way, so I look forward to seeing you at community events going forward.
Wow!!! I must say it’s a courageous act to leave Automattic and pursue new life. Thanks for contributing to WordPress and WordCamps…. 🙂 All the best for your new journey and wish you great success.
Good leaving 😉
Hope that we can meet each others more in Vietnam.
I’m waiting for WordCamp Hanoi. Please make it soon. Hehhee.