30. From Corporate E-Commerce to Web Strategist for Interior Designers

In this episode of Founders & Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Cathleen Hall, founder of Cathleen Hall Creative, to unpack her 13-year journey from corporate e-commerce leader to full-time web strategist for interior designers.Cathleen shares how she originally launched her business in 2019 as a consulting firm, stepped away during the intensity of the pandemic, and later reignited her entrepreneurial spark after rediscovering Jenna Kutcher’s work. What started as digital products on Etsy evolved into custom website design after a single interior designer client asked for template customization — and that pivot changed everything.Now fully niched into serving interior designers, Cathleen breaks down:The financial and mindset shifts required to leave corporateWhy website strategy matters more than aestheticsThe most common mistakes designers make on their websitesHow vague messaging and weak calls-to-action cost you leadsWhy she recommends Wix for service providers and Shopify for e-commerce brandsHer unique data-driven strategy process using tools like HotjarThe “300 million dollar button” story and what it teaches about conversionsWhat actually goes into a $6,000–$20,000 custom websiteHow her VIP Days and custom instruction manuals empower clients post-launchCathleen also walks through her structured 2–4 week project timeline, her user-journey mapping process, and how every button, headline, and page flow must intentionally guide ideal clients toward conversion.This episode is a masterclass in treating your website like a strategic business asset — not just a digital brochure.Cathleen leaves us with powerful entrepreneurial advice: do excellent work, give yourself grace, and don’t put pressure on your business to become massive overnight. Growth is built step by step.If you're an interior designer thinking about rebranding, rebuilding, or refining your website — this conversation is required listening.You can find Cathleen at:https://www.cathleenhallcreative.com/https://www.instagram.com/cathleenhallcreativeThis Episode was brought to you by Vetted by DesignIf you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business.www.vetted-bydesign.comhttps://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/Connect with all things Founders & Friends on our Facebook Group & Instagram*Only for interior designers & pro's who serve the industry