Maybe it was the "love" in Lovable that made me think of wedding bands the second I saw the challenge. The music, not the rings. 😂
I played a few weddings as a musician in Los Angeles, and I've been a music director and bandleader from time to time. I never ran several event bands at once - that’s really a whole thing. The people who do usually have an assistant, because the job may include most of the logistics: gigs coming in from managers, coordinators and websites, venue and load-in details for everyone, rehearsal space, new music when a client requests a song outside the standard set, travel, and finding a substitute when a regular player is booked.
Honestly, that would have been too much bandwidth for me, though being the key player in a couple of bands of different genres is a lot of fun. Leading one’s own bands can be one of the annoying consequences of just wanting to play music you like at a professional level.
The client-facing side (website, availability, booking, payment) is already well covered. The hidden work after the booking is the painful part, so I built for that.
For the challenge, I created a bandleader named Mia Smith. She runs three premium event bands: Jazz, Afro-Cuban/Salsa and Soul/R&B. Each band has first-call musicians, but musicians take gigs when they come up. When a first-call player is out, Mia moves to her substitute list, waits for answers and tracks which chairs are filled. Substitutes and special requests also need charts and recordings. Then everyone needs the venue, call time, dress code, parking and load-in notes.
That's GigReady. It answers one question: what happens after the event is booked but before the band is ready to play?
Mia sees which gigs are staffed, who has confirmed and which positions still need attention. If a first-call player is unavailable, she goes straight to a substitute for that instrument. Once every chair is covered, she locks the lineup. GigReady builds the Call Sheet with what the musicians need and sends it to the band.
What surprised me was my own reaction to the first working version. I'm not gigging or managing musicians right now, and I still felt immediate relief. The gig was all in one place: who answered, which chair was open, and the logistics message already written.
That's when I knew GigReady was a real tool. It could have changed what kind of gigs I was willing to take.
1
1
359
8-yr-old me discovered castles and palaces through TV docs. Now, adult me is building new ways to explore them.
I built The Castle Hunting Atlas, a 3D globe that transforms historical exploration into an interactive, spatial experience.
Each node represents a real location, allowing you to orbit, discover, and step into architecture, memory, and heritage across the world.
Built 100% in Omma.
🔗 https://omma.build/p/castle-hunting-3d-globe-e60qj0
X: https://x.com/VanceLaRoy/status/2039732713301622784
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4tuHIrX
8
25
1.1K
![Cover image for [Café & Bakery Visual Branding Series] Café & Bakery Visual ...](https://media.contra.com/image/upload/q_auto:good,w_800/ygxchi6ftfxj8j5x2alg.avif)
[Café & Bakery Visual Branding Series]
Café & Bakery Visual Branding: Turning “Nice Places” into Recognizable Brands
I’ve had the chance to work with three independent cafés and bakeries to shape how they show up visually — not just on social media, but at the counter where people order and decide what to try.
Each space had its own personality: a wine-friendly café, a cozy bakery, and a local neighborhood spot. My role was to translate that feeling into tangible visuals — photos, menus, posters, signage — so that customers could feel the brand the moment they walked in, even before taking the first sip or bite.
21
239
HVAC System Upgrade — Residential Comfort Project
Project Concept | HVAC Installation & Upgrade
A representative HVAC upgrade focused on improving home comfort, system efficiency, and reliable year-round performance.
The Project
Designed a complete HVAC upgrade for a residential property experiencing inconsistent temperatures, high energy usage, and an aging heating and cooling system.
Scope
HVAC system replacement and installation
Central air conditioning
High-efficiency heating system
New thermostat and controls
Ductwork inspection and improvements
System testing and performance checks
Preventive maintenance recommendations
The Approach
The goal was to create a properly sized, efficient system that delivers consistent temperatures throughout the home while improving reliability and reducing unnecessary energy use.
Result
A modern HVAC solution designed around comfort, efficiency, and long-term reliability—with a cleaner installation and easier system control for the homeowner.
Services: HVAC Installation · Air Conditioning · Heating · System Upgrades · Maintenance
1
98
Article Promotion Content
As a writer in a highly saturated organization, it's important to promote your own work. I've created a brand guide for myself and followed it throughout my three years at Her Campus.
Using these story posts, I've noticed a significant increase in readership among my stories. Based on my brand image, my followers quickly recognize when I have published a new article within seconds of viewing my post.
0
71