Where did you grow up, and how did you get into design?
I grew up in the smallest town in Louisiana and had always dreamed of being an editor for Vogue or Cosmo. I quickly realized I would have to move away from my family to make that dream happen, so instead I graduated with a Marketing degree and started a photography business!
After over a decade of photography, I found myself working more on my own website than anything else in my business and fell in love with design. I went on to work for close friends and then eventually launched Coyote Brands to grow my web design business!
Discuss your most notable projects and any awards, recognitions, or exhibitions you’ve been a part of.
The biggest reward for me is to have happy clients. Multiple clients rank on the first pages of Google with their new websites and have raised their prices, too. Knowing I was a part of their success is like being given secret awards all the time.
Share your favorite projects or collaborations and what made them special.
I’ve worked on countless photography websites and I love going through their galleries to choose the best images for each page. Other industries I have worked with and enjoyed are custom home builders, a cattle ranch, and recently gave an old outdated pharmacy website a major facelift and even though photographers have my heart, I love getting the chance to work with other industries and shake things up.
What do you love the most about the clients you work with?
My clients fully trust me – from copywriting to helping them sometimes update their pricing and inclusions. Being a web designer is so much more than design – it’s a chance to see the backend of small businesses and help them get clearer on their vision and goals for the future.
Provide tips for newcomers to the field. What advice do you have for building a portfolio, finding clients, and staying creative?
My best advice to new designers is to reach out to people who already know and trust you. Give them all the bells and whistles at introductory prices and they’ll be sending you new clients for years after.
What is your personal/business mission? Is there something that drives you?
My mission is to help photographers and creatives feel good about what they have online. Having confidence in your website gives you the confidence to share your business with people and know that your best work is there for them to make a booking decision. I also believe in work-life balance as a mom of three and so I have always tried to make my business fit my life and not the other way around. If that means taking on less clients while my kids are small, that’s okay. There is always time to grow and be ‘busier’!
What inspires your designs?
Other designers. I specialize in customizing templates from talented designers from all over – and I love that my success means money in their pockets, too. Good design is few and far between and I have favorite designers that make my and my clients’ lives and businesses better.
How did you discover Showit or why do you use it?
When I first started working on websites, I used Flothemes on WordPress. The design was limited to the template you chose and so when a friend asked if I would edit her Showit website, I initially thought it was overwhelming. Soon after, it all clicked and I realized the freedom in Showit was what I was missing on Flothemes!
List your absolute favourite podcast, business books, or tool etc and why?
My favorite business tool is Flodesk! It’s a beautiful, simple, steam-lined e-mail marketing platform that makes it easy to reach my potential clients. I’ve become a Partner and even offering e-mail marketing setups for other entrepreneurs in the coming weeks!
Last Thoughts
Courtney shares her insights and expertise through her newsletter, “From the Coyote Brands Studio,” helping photographers and creatives build confidence in their online presence, pricing, and brand. Get tips, strategies, and behind-the-scenes wisdom straight to your inbox. Sign up here!
Important Links
- Website: http://www.coyotebrands.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coyotebrands/
- Directory Profile: https://creativedesignerdirectory.com/showit-experts/coyotebrands/
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