This is the second post in a series to help you get to know our 2015 WordCamp Sacramento organizers a little better! You already got to know our lead organizer Bill Mead, and today you get to learn a little more about Brian Bourn.
Be sure to give Brian at shout out on Twitter and don’t forget to use our hashtag #wcsac.
Get To Know Brian
Brian Bourn is the chief executive and development director at Bourn Creative, a full service design company and Genesis recommended developer, celebrating its 10 year anniversary. He keeps business running smoothly, moving forward, and growing year after year.
With a passion for business, an eye for design, and a predilection for code, he provides consulting for small to medium-size businesses, works with clients around the globe on website strategy, and brings their vision to life through UX design and development. Brian is also lead organizer of the Sacramento WordPress meetup group.
WordPress Q&A With Brian
Why WordPress? Why do you use it?
First, of the tools available for building websites, WordPress is the platform that most empowers designers, developers, clients, and end users alike, and is the easiest to work with. WordPress is good for customers and good for those who create with it.
Second, the community aspect of open source software, specifically the WordPress community, is unlike anything else I have experienced. I enjoy being part of it, contributing where I can, and constantly learning — and respect it.
What is your favorite thing/feature in WordPress?
My favorite thing about WordPress is that as a platform, it is basically limitless. WordPress provides a seemingly never-ending opportunity to create. There is always more to learn, always a challenge to be solved, always something new to dive into — with little to no constraints, it can always be pushed farther to do more.
I appreciate that it challenges me everyday and that with the right tools, knowledge, and desire, I can do anything I want with it.
Share 1-2 plugins you use often and think people need to know about.
We don’t typically use plugins, and tend to build our own plugins for custom projects.
With that said, we do use Advanced Custom Fields Pro. I believe more people need to integrate some type of meta box solution (like ACF Pro or CMB2 by WebDev Studios) into their development process to make sites easier for clients to work with.
We also occasionally use Content Aware Sidebars. We have tried several conditional display plugins, and CAS provides the best interface and ease of use for both developers and clients.
How has the community made a difference for you or influenced you?
I use the cliche, “I am not a self taught developer, I’m a community taught developer.” Without the openness and willingness to share by others in the WordPress community, I would not be where I am today. The community as a whole has made me a better developer than I could possibly be on my own.
Over time, I have made great friends, built valuable business partnerships, and formed relationships that were only possible because of being involved in the WordPress community. This lead me to get involved in organizing the Sacramento WordPress Meetup, working to grow our local community, and now through our first Sacramento WordCamp.
What makes Sacramento awesome? Why should people be excited to come to Sacramento for WordCamp?
Sacramento is the center point of one of the largest economies in the world, and as a result, there is always a lot going and and a lot to do. Sacramento is quickly becoming known nation-wide for it’s foodie scene, its history and culture, and passionate support of the arts.
Also, Sacramento is close to everything. We’re 90 minutes from San Francisco, one hour from Napa Valley, 90 minutes from Lake Tahoe, and surrounded by miles and mikes of hiking and biking trails in the foothills.