Meet Melissa! Your amazing Massachusetts Website Design & Strategy specialist for small businesses and entrepreneurs. If you are looking for a new beautiful and strategic website to help you connect with your dream clients, look no further! Learn more about Melissas services at Manifest Web Design Studio and how you can get in touch to see your design visions come to life!
What is your name? How should people address you?
Melissa or “Meliss”
What is the name of your business?
Manifest Web Design Studio, LLC
Where are you located and what areas do you serve?
I’m located in East Longmeadow, MA, and service clients all over the United States, however, I’m big on the local community and some of my favorite projects are working with small businesses in my Western Mass community.
And what inspired you to open your business (or get into the field)?
I was a total band geek growing up in school and when it was time to pick a career path, I chose Music Education at UMASS Amherst. After graduating from UMASS (bachelors), I spent 10 years as a music teacher and band director in Wilbraham, MA where I had an absolute blast teaching children. When I had our first child, Jade in 2012, due to budgeting for the Arts, my position was eliminated and so I changed industries and started a candle business that I could run opposite hours to my husband, who was also a teacher. I had a successful candle business for 7 years-loved the small business aspect of things but really missed being a creative artist.
As a way to be supportive, I created a couple of websites for my friends’ businesses but never found the right fit in terms of website-building platforms until…scrolling one night I came across Showit and fell in LOVE with the platform. I knew this was a calling, so I immediately invested in several courses and hundreds of design hours to work on perfecting my craft before opening my business in September 2022. My business combines years of my background in education and business, as well as the creative Fine Arts aspect of my skill set.
How long have you been active in this field?
I have designed with several other website platforms Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, etc. for over 5 years, however, as a full-time career I have been a Showit website artist for a year and a half.
What products/services do you offer?
I create websites for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just make “pretty” websites. I’m also a business strategist, so behind every website build is one powerful goal: to book dream clients.
I have my signature blueprint template questions for my clients that make it so easy for them to clearly explain their services and their value which allows them to get a great return on investment when they book me as a business strategist and a creative designer (I like to think of it as a 2 for 1)!
Here are my two website packages:
Our Signature Two-Page Website Package
You’re a new business and you don’t need (or you’re not ready for) that 5-page website. You’re so excited about launching that you can’t wait and need a website ASAP!
For our clients who do not yet require a full-scale 5-page website, our signature two-page website option is perfect for businesses that require a comprehensive, professional, and engaging online presence to meet your immediate needs.
With a distraction-free and high-quality Home Page, as well as an additional page of your choice (such as About, Services, Work with Me, Contact, Gallery, Blog, Short-form Sales Page, or other), we can deliver a high-quality website that reflects the unique vision and aspirations of your business so you can immediately book clients and generate income.
The Premium Five-Page Website & Branding Package
You’ve been in business for a while. You’re ready to invest. You’re ready for a gorgeous, new website that is going to position you as the expert that you are in your field. You’re looking to scale quickly and would like Social Media Integration, a schedule/calendar booking feature, a gallery, and testimonials along with up to 5 custom-designed pages: Home, About, Services, Contact, Gallery & Word Mark Logo.
5-page websites are a highly valuable investment for our clients as they can provide a lasting online presence and serve as a crucial tool for driving business growth.
Logo & branding is also included in this fully comprehensive package. This includes the design of a client logo, alternate variations of the logo, color palette, and font delivered in a range of logo file formats, including vector files for scalability and web use.
We view the creation of a 5-page website as an investment in our client’s future success. Our commitment to quality and attention to detail means that we take the time necessary to deliver a website that meets their unique needs and objectives and will serve them for years to come.
Last show you binge-watched?
Ted Lasso & Schitt’s Creek (staples of my entire personality)!
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
I have a lot of compassion and respect for small business owners-they often put themselves last on the list, so being able to take something off of their plate, make it beautiful and make it really work for them by increasing the number of clients that walk through their door is incredible. I have such great working relationships with my clients. I love to see them happy and succeeding at their dream and being able to help in any way possible in their endeavor is a dream come true.
What is the most rewarding and challenging part of your job?
The most rewarding part is watching my clients’ reaction when they see their website in action and they realize they don’t need to work so hard because their website is acting like a rock star member of their sales and networking team. When they share with me that they have tripled their bookings, and earned 5x more than before-those things are very powerful and I live for those moments!
As with any job, there are challenges. I work with technology which is amazing when it works and can be stressful when it doesn’t. I look at every challenge as an opportunity to learn a new skill, which makes me better at my job and better equipped to help my clients. They are so grateful when I can solve a tech issue for them because they have so many other things to take care of.
What’s your dream vacation?
My dream vacation is anywhere in the Caribbean. I’ve never felt more relaxed than visiting these beautiful islands. The color of the ocean alone is as close to “heaven on earth” as I can imagine!
What Inspires you? What do you want to achieve in the future?
I think it is a very brave thing to have a small idea and turn it into a real business that functions to serve others do it well-it’s a dream come true.
I have spent a lot of time really thinking about what my dream business would look like and to see it happening after years of hard work is so motivating and pushes me to keep going.
As a woman-owned business, I am inspired by other woman-owned businesses. I want to show my daughter (and son) that their mom is working hard to create a great life for them.
My ultimate dream is to grow my business and be able to offer incredible job opportunities to others and for Manifest Web Design Studio to be a powerful, respected, and trusted leader in our industry. I wake up every morning with gratitude, ready to roll up my sleeves and offer the best of myself to the clients who have trusted me with this important aspect of their business.
Tell me a little about yourself personally so potential clients get to know you! (Feel free to tell me as much or little as you’re comfortable with!)
Tell me a little about your family life. Are you married, have children, or pets?
I’m married to Andy (the best decision of my life), who is just the greatest guy with the most generous heart. He is an amazing father to our two kids, Jade (10) and Jonny (6). We have a fat tabby cat from Dakin named Charlie and a little cockapoo named Luna. My extended family means everything to me. I’m very close with my parents and my siblings and their kids. We are a strong family and have been through a lot together, so I value them above all else, and always say “family first” in life.
Favorite meal and where:
Anything cooked by my husband, who learned to cook from his Italian grandfather in our home.
What do you do for fun in your downtime?
Wellness is very important to me. About 7 years ago I was about 50 pounds heavier and very unhealthy-I stepped into a CrossFit gym and fell in love with the people and the sport. Five years ago I became a coach and you can find me at CrossFit Lunacy in Hampden, MA about 5 days a week training and coaching. I also am a member of Move to Heal and recently started yoga at Sweat Power Yoga in my town. I’m a proud hockey mom-both of my kids play hockey and we love the sport! I am a furniture artist as well and love to refinish furniture one day a week in my spare time.
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra to live by?
I am a strong believer in the power of manifestation…the process of turning a specific desired outcome into reality through focused visualization, unwavering belief, and intentional action. (And you’re a Ted Lasso fan “Believe”)
I also try my best to live by the 4 Agreements: “Be impeccable with your word”, “Don’t take anything personally”, “Don’t make assumptions” and “Always do your best”.
Overall, my relationships with people are important to me and I live every day doing right by people, keeping my word, and treating others with respect and kindness always.
Anything else you would like to share?
The one thing I can share is who you will get when you hire me to build your website. I am a person who thrives on creating and my work ethic is my strongest asset. In other words, I won’t stop until my client is not just satisfied but thrilled about the work I produce for them. I am an “above and beyond” person. I want you to love this process and see our studio as a trusted source not just for this project, but for the future as well. I’ve helped a lot of incredible people since opening my doors and I am ready to dive into more creative and inspiring projects.
Connect with Melissa now to get your dream website started and follow along with her on her Instagram! And don’t forget your branding photos to help bring your vision to life!
