I know the juggle all too well.
You’re building something meaningful, often in the margins between school carlines, client meetings, and those rare hours when the house is finally quiet.
You're a creative, a strategist, a bookkeeper, a marketer, a dreamer, a doer — maybe even snack distributor and bedtime storyteller. Whatever your roles look like, you're pouring your heart into building something while somehow holding everything else together too.
I know, because I've been exactly where you are.
Shaped by story.
Guided by purpose.
ABOUT SALTMADE STUDIO
Meet Kait
Long before I knew creativity could become a career, I was always making something. I taught myself HTML customizing MySpace pages (am I giving away my age?), designed intricate patterns out of Starburst wrappers for the cover of my high school agenda, and even created an hours-long video yearbook for my senior project -- which was distributed to hundreds.
None of it seemed particularly connected at the time. Looking back, the through line is pretty obvious: I've always been interested in how visuals and stories come together to make someone feel something.
That curiosity eventually became a career.
I spent 9 years running an Etsy business that I built from the ground up. Here, I learned firsthand what it meant to create something people want, build a recognizable brand, serve customers well, and figure things out as you go.
When I eventually closed it, it would have been easy to assume the business hadn't worked. The truth was almost the complete opposite. It had grown so busy that somewhere along the way, the thing I loved creating had become something I was simply trying to keep up with. Closing it gave me the space to figure out which parts of the work I actually wanted to carry forward.
From there, I grew into a creative director role working on brand strategy, messaging, website copy, client experience, and creative direction for interior designers globally. At the same time, I kept finding myself drawn toward design — taking projects here and there. Eventually it became impossible to separate the two.
Saltmade Studio is where they finally get to belong together.
When I'm not behind my Macbook, my life is full of (so many) boys, dirty Labrador paws, basketball schedules, and trying to build a business that leaves room for a meaningful life, too.
Keep scrolling to see a few more things I'm currently loving.
INTEGRITY
Trust is everything... in life, in business, and in the relationships I build with clients. You're trusting me with your story, your vision, and your livelihood. I don't take that lightly.
I value clear communication, reliable follow-through, and treating your business like I'd treat my own.
INTEGRITY
AUTHENTICITY
The strongest brands are built when we show up honestly and without pretense.
Together, we uncover what makes your work distinctly yours and build a brand that feels comfortable, personal, and human...not performative or forced.
You don't need to manufacture a personality to have a memorable brand.
We build from what's already true: your perspective, your values, your voice, and the way you naturally serve people.
Authenticity
ENCOURAGEMENT
Entrepreneurship can feel isolating at times... but it doesn't have to be! I am here to listen closely, offer perspective, and help you recognize the strengths and gifts that make your business special, even the ones you may overlook.
Entrepreneurship can feel isolating at times... but it doesn't have to be! I am here to listen closely, offer perspective, and help you recognize the strengths and gifts that make your business special, even the ones you may overlook.
ENCOURAGEMENT
STEWARDSHIP
I believe we're each given something worth sharing and how we steward those gifts matters. That conviction is at the root of everything I do.
The care and intention I bring to your brand isn't just professional. It's personal. It comes from a genuine belief that your work has meaning, and that helping you show up well in it is a privilege I don't take lightly.
I believe we're each given something worth sharing and how we steward those gifts matters. That conviction is at the root of everything I do.
The care and intention I bring to your brand isn't just professional. It's personal. It comes from a genuine belief that your work has meaning, and that helping you show up well in it is a privilege I don't take lightly.
STEWARDSHIP
What started as my own wedding decor on Etsy turned into a thriving business. I quit my day job in 6 months, now filling custom orders with 30+ sales monthly.
2012
It’s often messy, full of unexpected pivots, and shaped by seasons and circumstances you never saw coming. Here's a bird's-eye view of mine...
The path to building a business
(and a life you love) is rarely linear.
MY CREATIVE JOURNEY
Our baby boy arrived, followed two weeks later by an unexpected plot twist: my husband got laid off. I returned from maternity leave immediately, turning my small shop into our family's sole income.
2015
Our second baby boy arrived and the Etsy shop continued to thrive, averaging 100+ sales monthly. It took a massive effort—yeeears of late-night creativity—but the lifestyle and pace was unsustainable.
2017
Tragedy shifted my perspective: my family needed me more than the business. Even though sales were booming, the joy was replaced by burden. I made the difficult choice to permanently close my thriving shop to focus on what truly mattered.
2020
I pivoted from the shop hustle after a season of homeschooling, returning to work as a Virtual Assistant. I soon took on full-service branding clients, which re-ignited my love for storytelling and strategy. That's where I saw the future: combining my love for both design and writing.
2021
My role quickly evolved from VA to Creative Director at Ochre & Beige. I spend my days managing a team, writing copy, and crafting marketing content for interior designers globally. On the side, I continued to enjoy taking on my own visual branding clients.
2023
After years of pushing the idea away, I'm finally taking the leap back into entrepreneurship — but this time, with purpose and boundaries. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.
2026
So, what's your story?
After a sweet season of homeschooling, I felt the pull to return to work, only in a background-supporter and more flexible way. I met my now-friend, Jaquilyn, powerhouse owner of Ochre & Beige and began working as a copywriter for Interior Designers. That same year, I took on two full-service branding and website design clients. It was here that I rediscovered my love for storytelling and strategy and began to see how my skills in both design and writing could (one day) come together to create something bigger.
2021
Sometimes it takes something unfortunate to shift perspective, and that's exactly what happened. An unexpected family tragedy prompted me to press pause and focus on what mattered most: my family. After reopening the shop, business was booming like never before, but the enjoyment and purpose I once felt began feeling more like a burden. I made the incredibly difficult decision to close my shop for good at the end of the year.
2020
With the arrival of our second baby boy, life was a beautiful blur of nap time hustle and late-night creativity. Like really late nights. At this point the Etsy shop was thriving and averaging 100+ sales a month. It took a massive effort (yeeears of late-night creativity), but the lifestyle wasn't sustainable.
Still not quite sure how I kept this pace for several more years...
2017
Our first baby boy arrived, and with him, an unexpected plot twist: my husband got laid off. I reopened my shop & returned from maternity leave MUCH sooner than planned. This small shop quickly became the livelihood for our little family. My first "employee"? My husband (whether he liked it or not).
2015
What started on a whim, selling hand-painted wedding decor I originally made for my own wedding on Etsy, quickly turned into a thriving business. Within 6 months, I left my day job at the wellness center to focus on my shop full-time. I was filling custom orders non-stop, averaging 30+ sales per month, hand-painting everything to order, and shipping from my (very hot) garage.
2012
I quickly grew from copywriter to full-time Creative Director of Ochre & Beige. I spend my days managing an incredible team, while finding enjoyment writing website copy, crafting compelling brand messaging, and supporting interior designers worldwide with ongoing strategy and marketing content. I continued working with visual branding clients on the side (as time would allow). It became something that continuously brought enjoyment.
2023
After years of pushing the idea away, I'm finally taking the leap back into entrepreneurship, only this time, with purpose and boundaries. I can't wait to see how it unfolds. Grateful to have you along for the ride!
2026
So, what's your story?
I'D LOVE TO HEAR →
It's messy, full of unexpected pivots, and shaped by seasons you never saw coming. Here's a bird's-eye view of mine...
The path to building a business
(and a life you love) is rarely linear.
MY CREATIVE JOURNEY
Take a peek at past client work and see how strategy meets intention.
Browse thoughtful reflections, tips, and encouragement for your creative journey.
Musings from the marsh
Explore design services and find the right fit for your stage of business.
