Need to spruce up your online boutique?  Take a look at Natalie’s professional designs at Modern Sugar! 

First of all, MomDot wants to thank Natalie for her generosity in coming to our rescue to donate a design for Suzanne to start her own business. She was unselfish and wonderful and was quick to help out, send many designs, and work with from beginning to end. Mom businesses thrive because of professionalism and the hard work of the moms that believe in their businesses, and Natalie believes in OTHER moms as well. When you are considering starting a new business, think of her first for your template design needs~ Trisha

1. Congrats on being a MomDot Feature Boutique!  Why don’t you start by introducing yourself to our readers!

Thanks so much for featuring me on your blog.  I am a WAHM with a small web/graphic design business.  I live in Maine and have one daughter and I’m expecting my second child in January. 

2.  How did you get your start in website design?  When did you start your online service? 

After my daughter was born I started selling on eBay to make a little extra money.  I learned web design simply as a way to make my auctions more attractive.  My husband would do graphics for me and I would
create the templates.  Soon after that I started selling templates on eBay and within a year I had clients who wanted help designing their websites. At the time I was working full time as an elementary school teacher, but my business grew so much that in 2006 I was able to quit my teaching job to focus on web design full time.

3.  Can you give the MomDot readers a “sneak peek” into what’s coming up next for your business?  Any new events, giveaways, promotions, etc.? 

We are working on some free graphics and blog templates for our newsletter subscribers, some more tutorials on the site and by the end of the year hope to have a yearly giveaway in place for a free custom website design. 

4.  I love your pre-made template, Juice, for sale on your website!  Where do you get your design ideas? 

 Everywhere.  I see design in everything – from the vintage sheets I saw last week at the thrift store, to the latest Pottery Barn Teen magazine.  I also subscribe to a couple of trade magazines that are a neverending source for design – but more often than not I see something like a book cover at the library or a design on an old plate, and that becomes inspiration for a design.  It helps that where I live is beautiful, with vintage and antique shops everywhere, I love finding an old book from the 60’s or a card from the 70’s – something about that retro look that I just love.

5. Can you take us through the design process?  What do you think sets you apart from your Competitors? 

 For custom designs I work with the client to get an idea of what they are looking for, what they like and don’t like, what look they are going for and who their clientele is.  Then I do a little research on their product and start the design.  For pre-made designs I have a folder with ideas, either things I’ve jotted down, pictures or pages torn out of magazines.  When I’m ready to start on a design I begin by looking
through the folder until something catches my eye.  Sometimes it is super easy and I can complete a pre-made in a couple of hours, sometimes it’s not as easy and I have to come back to it over a series of days or weeks to get the final product. Lately there are tons of new designers out there, they seem to be cropping
up everywhere!  When I started there were a handful of designers who catered to women and moms, and so one thing that definitely sets me apart is my experience.  I haven’t been around as long as some, but I’ve been doing web design since 2004 so I have a bit more experience than most of the new designers out there.  I also try to keep my designs fresh, modern and professional – I want all of my sites to look like professional, even if my prices are lower than what the bigger design firms would charge.

6.  What is the most rewarding aspect of your business? 

The finished product and seeing someone’s business take off!  I never expected to be where I am, able to stay home, making more than I did working outside the home.  Every day is thrilling and I love being able to help other women and moms get to the same place or beyond.  It takes a lot of hard work, from you and from your team, but it’s so worth it to see it all come together! 
 
Thanks, Natalie!  Head on over to Modern Sugar and see what Natalie can do for your site before holiday shopping begins! 

Interviewed by contributing writer Bridgette