Design That Starts with Your Story
Turning small business ideas into brands and websites that feel authentic, perform beautifully, and inspire action.
Every small business has a story worth telling — but most websites and brand visuals fail to tell it clearly.
I’m Clay Schmidt, a brand and web designer who helps entrepreneurs and small business owners turn their message into a visual identity and online experience that connects with their audience and drives real growth.
I combine StoryBrand messaging, SEO-focused strategy, and conversion-optimized web design to build brands and websites that don’t just look good — they work hard for your business.
You Deserve More Than a Pretty Website
Most design falls flat because it’s not built on strategy.
You might have a logo, a color palette, or even a website — but if your story isn’t clear, your audience won’t connect. That’s why so many small business websites underperform: they’re built for aesthetics, not clarity.
Your business deserves a brand and website built with purpose — one that attracts your ideal clients, communicates your value instantly, and helps your audience understand why you’re the right choice.
With StoryBrand structure guiding your messaging, every word, image, and interaction has intention. Add SEO-rich content and smart technical design, and you’ll have a site that grows with your business for years to come.
A Proven Process for Clarity and Confidence
Strategy and storytelling meet design — all in one clear, collaborative process.
My process is built to make things simple, fast, and effective. Together, we’ll define your message, design your visuals, and launch a brand and website that feel effortless and perform beautifully.
Every project is grounded in usability, accessibility, and performance — so your digital presence is not only beautiful, but built to work.
You’ll complete a guided workbook to clarify your vision, audience, and message. We’ll meet to refine your story and goals.
Phase 1
Discover your Story
I’ll translate your brand strategy into a visual identity, SEO-optimized copy, and a fully accessible website built to convert.
Phase 2
Design & Build
Phase 3
Launch & Grow
Together we’ll review, test, and launch your new brand and website. You’ll walk away with tools, templates, and confidence to grow.
The Results — Growth Rooted in Clarity
A well-designed brand and website build trust, credibility, and long-term success.
When your brand and website align, you stop wasting time trying to explain what you do — your digital presence does it for you.
Clients see results like:
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Stronger brand recognition and credibility
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Higher engagement and lead conversion
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More inquiries from the right clients
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Simplified marketing with SEO-friendly content
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Confidence that every piece of your brand works together
A clear, story-driven brand is the foundation for everything you’ll build in your business.
Meet Clay —
Designer, Strategist, and Storyteller
I help small businesses grow through clarity, design, and connection.
For over a decade, I’ve been helping businesses and creative professionals tell their stories visually. With a background in marketing, branding, and UX design, I know how to connect visuals with messaging that resonates.
I founded Clay Schmidt Creative to help small business owners who care deeply about what they do — but struggle to communicate their value online. I believe design should feel human, strategic, and empowering — not overwhelming or out of reach.
When I’m not designing, you’ll find me tending my garden, exploring Gainesville’s creative community, or working on personal design projects that spark curiosity and creativity.
Bringing america's favorite Scenic Experience Online
The Blue Ridge Parkway project aimed to capture the timeless beauty of the mountains and translate it into a digital experience that inspired exploration. The brand and website needed to feel natural, elevated, and welcoming — just like the parkway itself. Through clear StoryBrand messaging, a calming color palette, and immersive design, we built an online presence that connects travelers to the journey before they even hit the road.
