Want a creative partner who turns your website into your hardest-working employee?
Website and Brand Designer for Creatives
The teachers who said we'd never amount to anything really messed up.
We grew up in San Diego, but when we were little, our family packed up and moved to Norway. Which sounds like a dream until you're a kid being thrown into a Norwegian school speaking absolutely zero Norwegian. School was hard, and more than one teacher told us we'd never amount to anything.
So eventually, we packed our bags and bought plane tickets back to California. In a cozy Santa Barbara café, coffee in hand and laptops on the table, Marielle looked at Michelle and said, “Wouldn’t it be cool to work from a café like this someday?” That same night, a Facebook ad about becoming a designer popped up, and we binged the whole class. By morning, we knew what we were meant to do.
Elle & Elle wasn't planned like most businesses. It was decided in a café by two sisters who were told they couldn't and did it anyway.
Meet Marielle
I've always been the talker and the one who gets excited about an idea and can't stop until everyone else is excited about it, too. Growing up, I was the one dragging Michelle into a new show, plan, or something at all times.
I realized web design was *the shittt* for me because building a place for someone to express their creativity is the best feeling I know. (Well, besides binging Virgin River under a blanket.)
Because I've been designing Showit websites since 2021, I spend a lot of time on the details most people never think about. Like when something is one pixel off. Or when the spacing feels crammed. Or when a section isn't flowing the way it should. I care about those things because they're the difference between someone exiting your site or clicking "book now."
The moment a client sends me a voice note freaking out over their new website is the moment I remember why I do this. Every single time.
Web Designer for creatives
Biiiig extrovert. (You'll know that within thirty seconds of our first call.)
Organized to a level that genuinely concerns Michelle.
I don't drink, but will absolutely out-order you on mocktails.
My Sims 4 legacy families have more lore than most TV shows.
Spotify is blaring '80s, '90s, and everything in between.
Bundled on the couch with Leo and a candle is my version of a perfect evening.
Meet Michelle
I've always been the quiet one. Growing up, I was the kid in the back taking everything in while everyone else was talking. Turns out that's actually a pretty useful thing to be when your job is figuring out who someone is and turning it into a whole brand. Who knew?!
Brand strategy & design clicked for me because I'm good at sitting with someone and asking the questions nobody else thought to ask. Figuring out what makes you YOU. I get to the heart of who you want to be and how you want to show up in your business.
I've been doing this since 2021, and the moment that still gets me every single time is when a client sees their brand for the first time and say “I had no idea it could be so good.”
Brand Strategist for creatives
Introverted, but surprisingly sassy once I know you.
Organizationally challenged (Sorry not sorry, Marielle)
Punk rock is my love language.
YouTube gamers are my version of Netflix.
My Sims' saves have never seen a single normal human; vampires and werewolves only.
We wholeheartedly believe
A logo, color palette, and fonts don’t make a brand.
A brand or website done in a week cuts corners.
Trends cheapen your aesthetic.
Poor quality iPhone photos will tank your site.
Templates look like templates, and that isn’t a good thing
Canva branding makes you look like a newbie
website and brand design for creatives
Why You'll Feel Right At Home With Elle & Elle
Everyone claims they're different. So instead of us telling you why we're a great fit, we'll let our clients do it.
"They really listened to what I wanted, from start to finish."
We hear this more than anything else because listening is THE most impactful thing we do. We ask the questions nobody else thinks of, and we sit with what you tell us until we understand it completely. We never put our own taste or likes into your project. It's about what your client will connect to and what feels like YOU.
"I'm literally crying. I love everything so much."
You should be embarrassingly excited about your brand. Like, sending your website link to people who didn't even ask for it kind of excited. That's what we're building for you.
"I changed my vision multiple times, and they were so sweet, flexible, and understanding."
You're not going to have everything figured out on day one. Nobody does. Some of our favorite projects changed direction three times before their "Holy shit!" moment. We're patient when we need to be.
"Since launching the website, I've been receiving more inquiries. I used to get 3-5, now it's 7-10."
What's the point of a gorgeous website if it's not bringing in the clients you want? That sounds like an expensive hobby to us. No thank you. Every single decision we make is asking one question: Will this make your people connect and reach out?
"They truly went above and beyond, even after the project ended."
We wish we could tell you this was intentional, but honestly, we just can't turn it off. Once your brand is in our heads, it's in our heads. Just ask our dog, Leo. He hears all our ideas when we take him for a walk.
Grab a coffee and stay a while if…
You cringe a little every time someone asks for your website link
You’re getting clients, but your online presence doesn’t match your level of skill
You've been relying on Instagram and word of mouth for clients
You want to raise your prices but need a brand that reflects that raise
Your business has grown, but your brand and website are still DIY
How involved will I be in the process?
What platforms do you design websites on?
Do you offer ongoing support after launch?
Do you only work with women-owned businesses?
What is your design philosophy?
Strategy before everything, always. We will never start building your brand or website without doing an insane amount of research and planning first. Everything we create is fully custom and built intentionally around your business, goals, and long-term direction. We don’t use templates or pre-built design systems because your business should never look like someone else's.
What is your design philosophy?
Our sweet spot is self-led women who built their businesses from scratch. That's who we understand deeply and where we do our best work. Most of our work falls under brand and web design for creative entrepreneurs like photographers, wedding planners, designers, podcasters, and coaches, etc.
Do you only work with women-owned businesses?
The best brands and websites get built when you're right there with us the whole time. We built our process around a client portal called LaunchBay, where you can see exactly what phase we're in, communicate with us, and access everything in one place. You'll never wonder what's happening or where things are.
How involved will I be in the process?
Marielle is a Showit website designer for creatives. So we specialize in Showit and only Showit. We know it inside out, and we use that expertise to build websites that are completely custom without the limitations that make most designers cut corners. It's the best platform for what we do, and we're not shy about that opinion.
What platforms do you design websites on?
Yes! We have 2-week post support for each phase of The Ellevated Suite! You’ll be able to ask any questions you have or request help during that time.
