As reported first in a guest appearance on CNET’s Buzz Out Loud 1000th episode this morning, I am making a fairly major life change starting Monday morning.
I’ve been trying to get to this point for a very long time in my professional life, and despite the nerve racking nature of a jump like this, I am officially self employed, under the FrogPants Studios banner, starting Monday the 22nd of June.
How is it I can finally make this decision and move forward? Here is the short of it.
I have worked with the same people for the last 12 years that I don’t really think of them as employers as much as I do extended family. We’re a pretty tightly knit group, and we have been through a lot. One of the great things about working with them has been how much support they have always shown for my inner nerd, and my creative bursts of…well…creativity.
Though they are losing me as a warm body in the office, I’ll still be doing work for them all the time. They’ve been really cool about keeping me on in a contractor role. It’s as close as I’ve gotten to a real Win-Win in a very long time. Maintain the relationship, while building my monster.
What does all this mean for Extralife and all that is connected to it? Plenty. I am ramping up everything: More EL comics (including three a week Experience Points, up from 2), more podcasting, more commissions, more clients, more special projects, more prints, more books, more more more.
I can finally stop turning down commissions due to time constraints. I can finally launch a few projects that have been burning on the stove for too long. I can finally take all this to the next level. Hopefully a mine cart level. Or ice level.
It’s super hard for me to convey in this blog post how excited I am about this change. So I won’t even try. I will just leave it at this: Thank you all so much for being here for the ride. It’s only gonna go up from here.
Gambatte Scott! Am so pleased for you and am looking forward so much to all that you will be doing.
Alright! Scott, I have been a follower of yours from The Instance, a reader of your comics for some time now, even your twitter feed, lol. From hearing The Instance evolve even after I quit Wow, (I still listen to you guys!) and seeing the community you’ve inspired, you have really made an impact. I enjoy your sense of humor and am truly happy that your career is going in the direction you want it to. Will be looking out for Frog Pants Studios! Kudos!
Congratulations! From our point of view, it would be a Win-Win-Win situation. (More comics and ELR yay!)
Congratulations Man! It’s awesome to see “one of our own” get to find their calling!
Best of luck to ya!
Awesome, good luck with it all. =]
Congratulations. Looking forward to all the new stuff.
GZ Scott, way to go. You`re one of the funniest online-cartoonist out there, good to see it pays off for you.
Keep it up & best of luck
Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!! cant wait to see where you go from here.
Dude, you’re an inspiration to all of us who are stuck at a 9 to 5, with co-workers that we don’t consider “extended family’.
Self-employment FTW!
no one on the world of pod casting seems to have the passion you have, as well as being such an all around awesome and nice person no one deserves this more than you
Congragualtions Scott!! Ive been a fan of yours since 2001 , and it has been amazing to watch your community grow over the years. Keep up all the great work
GRTZ Scott!!!!
It could not have happened to a more deserving person. Best of luck, looking forward to the new projects and the continued wonderful things you do already!
GOD’s Speed Lad!!
I think I just made a tear of joy. Seriously dude,AWESOME!! Glad to hear my favorite nerd in the world is living the dream.Congrats mate.Looking forward to seeing it unfold.:D
Congrats Scott! After all the hard work you’ve put in, you deserve this. Beholden to noone but yourself – doing what you love to do.
As others have said… Live the dream!
I wish you the very best of luck, Scott.
Good luck Scott I hope it all works out great, and I look forward to the new projects.
Grats man! It has been an awesome ride these last couple years, I can’t wait to see what you do from here.
Scott, my biggest congrats! As one that has an original SJ commission hanging my office, I couldn’t be more thrilled for you. You continue to be an inspiration. The very best of luck, and FrogPants for the win!
Every great game has a mine-cart level
Massive congratulations and good luck!
once more congratulations. I’m kind of going the same road you’re taking (cartoonist and podcaster, and i have a day job as a concept artist now), so I hope to one day achieve what you managed to achieve
including a great family.
FrogPants FTW.
Working for “the man,” wherein “the man” is now yourself.
(I’d like to see your HR Policy Manual, please.)
YAY! Gratz XD
Congrats Scott! Great to hear your going out on your own. Looking forward to lots of great stuff in the future.
Scott I wish you the best of luck amigo. I have a good feeling that this is just the start of bigeer and better things.
Mucha suerte amigo
Alvaro
Scott I wish you the best of luck amigo. I have a good feeling that this is just the start of bigger and better things.
Mucha suerte amigo
Alvaro
Many congratulations Scott! I’m very excited to hear this. Looking forward to the new content!
Scott!!
I hope this goes well for you! I know if anyone can do it you can.
Wow, just heard this news listening to ELR today. Congratulations Scott. I think that’s everyone’s dream to be able to control their own destiny. I can’t imagine how great it’d be to have the time / money / energy to spend on all my projects I’ve been setting aside through out the years. This is super awesome and wish you the best of luck on this endeavor.
Scott,
Keep a record of what you are doing. Who know’s, a buisness book could be in the works for creating your own empire.
Hope to hear more Diary of a Cartoonist episodes.
Good Luck
Gimme an S!
Gimme a C!
Gimme an O!
Gimme a T!
Gimme another T!
What does that spell!
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!!
Wow, awesome news!
Congrats on the move, remember, you have a strong fan base that only want to see good things come your way so if you ever have doubts just remember all the people our there that are rooting for ya’
Great news, Scott, congratulations!
I’ll say this, though: I hope your lack of workday commute doesn’t cut down your “Diary” frequency, since that seemed to be a primary recording time for your deeper thoughts back in the day. Of course, this will probably be balanced out (hopefully) by a return to the weekly ELR recording schedule… right?
Anyway, it’s been said a bazillion times already, but it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Good on ya!
(Now, wanna hire a Wisconsin geek to your creative team?
)
This is awesome news Scott. Been listening to your various podcasts for well over a year now, and have been amazed you do all the stuff you do for the site while still maintaining a full time job. Like you said above, more is on the way, and I’m sure you’re gonna get even crazier with the content. Anyway, just wanted to say grats!
Congrats on being self employed now. Wish you the best of luck. Keep up all the good work you’ve been doing bud.
Congratulations, sir. Inspiring stuff.
Congratulations Scott! You’re living the dream of your fellow nerds. Best of luck!
Congratz Scott!
Congrats Scott! Hope this also means we can see ELR back on a weekly as opposed to bi-weekly basis.
Gladly been listening/following everything you do ever since The Instance #1, and I’m happy that you’re getting to live out one of your dreams!
Congratulations! I know you’ll do great on your own.
-LONG time ELR fan
Congrats!
Congrats man:) A dream to alot of people i think; myself included. much love.
(Coming from someone whom hates apple and wow)
Congrats! Good Luck! Best Wishes!… all that goes with such an awesome career decision.
My mom has been self employed ever since they stopped having to support me (She’s a counselor, so money= not so much) and she loves it.
Best of luck with this, I’ll make sure to commission a few things (Depending strongly on the price)
Glad to hear you feel you’ve reached this point!
Also, I’m very happy, more content is a very good thing!
Congratulations & Good Luck!
Congrats, Scott! I wish you the best of luck.
It’s rare enough to be able to find something you love doing; to be able to make a living and support a family with it at the same time is rarer still. Congrats Scott, and thanks for letting us know, hard work, determination and a great attitude can make our dreams come true.
Congratulations Scott! I hope the best of luck to ya in this new endeavor of yours! Spread those creative wings of yars and fly!
i’ve been following the site for a good few years now, i’ve seen the highs and lows and one thing that i’ve always admired is your determination. If anyone deserves this it’s you Scott.
Many Congrats Scott! I know that you will do well in your new pursuit!
Congratulations Scott, wish the best of luck to you man.