Impactful Brands and Websites That Work with Mandy Hopp
About the episode:
Hey everyone, welcome back to Rebrand with RuthAnn! Today, I’m super excited to chat with my friend and powerhouse designer, Mandy Hopp. She’s the brains behind the Hopp Creative, where she and her team help changemakers shape the world through smart marketing and design. Mandy shares how she turned her artistic passion into a thriving business, her secrets to managing a dynamic team, and why focusing on web design and copywriting has been a game-changer. We’re also getting real about juggling the demands of motherhood and business – because, let’s face it, it’s a mix of chaos and joy! So grab your coffee (I’ve got mine), and join the conversation on all things design, strategy, and finding that sweet spot between professional success and personal happiness.
Highlights:
Mandy’s journey from designer to entrepreneur and how she makes it all work
The importance of networking and relationships for business growth
The perks of hiring a professional web designer and copywriter
How Mandy built (and manages!) a small yet mighty team
The role of copywriting in improving website effectiveness
Finding joy and balance between personal life and professional ambitions
About Mandy and Resources
Mandy Hopp is the founder of Hopp Creative, a marketing and design studio for everyday difference-makers. She and her tiny but mighty team help change-makers share their stories and maximize their impact through the power of strategic marketing and design. When she's not working, you can find her drinking an iced coffee while chasing her toddler around just about every morning.
Connect with Mandy:
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RuthAnn Rafiq
Hello everyone, welcome back to another episode of rebrand with Ruthanne. I am so excited because today I have My friend and fellow designer in the trenches Mandy hop with us today Mandy hop is the founder of hop creative the marketing and design studio for everyday difference makers
She and her tiny but mighty team helped change makers share their stories and maximize their impact through the power of strategic marketing and design. When she's not working, you can find her drinking an iced coffee while chasing her toddler around just about every morning, which I can totally relate to. Mandy, welcome, I'm so glad you're here.
Mandy
Hehehe
Hello Ruthie, thanks for having me, I'm excited for this.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, so Mandy and I met through the Cell with Heart Mastermind, which is Anna Rapp's mastermind, who is my coach. And we, I just feel like in that mastermind container, we just developed such a bond with those girls, at least I did. I feel like, like I am still like in talks with most of the people in that group. And so, which was years ago. So it's been really fun to like stay in touch with you.
Mandy
100%. Yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
honestly also have like the perspective of another designer who is growing a team, which is what I'm doing as well. So it's so nice to like have someone in the trenches, like I mentioned, and just, you know, doing something similar to what you're doing. And I feel like we also vary greatly in our styles, which is a huge plus, because I feel like whenever I, you know, talk to someone who I feel like isn't a good fit, I'm like, oh, I feel like they would be a great fit for Mandy.
And so it's really nice to have you there and just a friend in this online, in the online space. So yes, so tell us a little bit about how you got started with, you don't have to go too much into it, but like how you got started with design and you have a really strong emphasis on marketing. So I would love to hear a little bit about that and how long you've been in your business and all the things.
Mandy
100%. Same to you.
Yeah.
Yeah, okay. So I got started in design because I was trying to figure out how to be an artist as an adult. And that was the only way that I thought I could make money. So went to college and got a degree in web design as well as graphic design, worked at a couple of different places doing design and then decided I really wanted to have a stronger focus on the strategic portion of like business and marketing. So went back, got a graduate degree in marketing and ended up working at a startup.
Um, doing marketing for them. So I was the first marketing hire there and I did like everything like, like marketing design, all the things. Um, and three years in, I was a little burnt out, had a little cry underneath my little Christmas tree and was like, I think I just want to start my own business. Um, had always kind of had that dream in the background, but as I was like having my meltdown underneath the Christmas tree, as it will forever be known as our, in our house.
I was like, you know what, we're gonna do this. So founded my business four years ago, February, 2020, which was hilarious because the world shut down like three days later. And yeah, I've been just rolling with it ever since. I think.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, rolling with it is the ideal phrase. And you've had the child since then, so you have a little two-year-old now. Two, is he two? Oh, what did it happen?
Mandy
Yes. He's one and a half. Yeah, which is crazy. But yeah, I remember walking around my old neighborhood while talking to you, Ruthanne, and you telling me all the things about motherhood. And I was like, man, this is so nice. And then I got like I had the kid and I was like, oh my gosh, now I understand like so much more of what Ruthanne was saying. So yeah, thank you for that, like big sister advice. I really appreciated that.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Well, hopefully I didn't like sugarcoat it too much and say it's all sunshine and rainbows. I mean, it is wonderful everyone, but it's also very challenging as well. So yes, it's all the things. So when, you know, as you've had your business and has you been growing your business, have you pivoted along the way? Have you made changes drastically from when you started? So you've been in business for about four years. So have you changed a lot over the-
Mandy
No, you were so good.
Mandy
100%. Yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
over the time or do you feel like you kind of stayed in your lane? You started something and you kind of stayed there.
Mandy
Yeah, I feel like I've really, we started just kind of offering anything design related, like any project anyone would give us, we're like, yes, please, let's do this. And we've really kind of narrowed down our focus to Webflow design. So Webflow is a specific website builder. We do development in there, and then we also just do like basic UX, UI design. So basically if you have a website, we help you.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes.
Mandy
So that's kind of been our like bread and butter. And just recently, maybe in the last six months to a year, I've pivoted a little bit more towards offering that marketing strategy piece. I'm still playing with the exact offer on that. But yeah, I feel like it's more, it's less like big pivot and more just like small changes in direction and like adding things and taking things away. So yeah, a little bit here and there.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yeah. Yes, which is, I think, just the normal path of entrepreneurship is you're always seeing what's working, what's not working, and going in a direction that you really enjoy. And you mentioned you have a tiny but mighty team. Can you tell me a little bit about your team?
Mandy
Yes, my team is awesome. I don't tell many people this, but actually my main designer is not me anymore. It's actually my sister. She is also a designer. She actually is better than I am. So that's wonderful because I just hand everything off to her and she does most of the design work. And I do like the client calls the strategy, general art direction. So it's her and I on the design front. And then I have a VA, Ashley and her team.
They are awesome. And then we work with a number of different contractors and just kind of other service providers that are adjacent. We bring them on as the projects demand them. So yeah, it's been really nice.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yeah, which I love. And I think you have copywriting. Do you offer copywriting as well?
Mandy
We do, yeah, every website package we have now, I pretty much include it in the website package because I just find it such an important piece that nobody really thinks about when you're like, I want a new website, but I found that copywriting is like, it makes or breaks the website. So we partnered with someone and we offer that with our packages, which I think you do too, right? That's what I thought.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, and I have to say, I just started doing this about eight months ago, well, I don't know when you're gonna be listening to this recording, but I started offering this maybe, yeah, I think it was six to eight months ago, and I have to say, it makes the biggest difference, and this is one of the reasons I wanted to have you on, because I'm not on Instagram very often anymore, but when I was on, I was hearing you rant and talk about how designer pet peeves and like, what people actually need for a website that actually works, meaning someone gets to your website and they book a call with you, or they purchase something, or they get on your newsletter list. And so I think there is so much to be said about a lot of different things that go into a website that people don't actually know about. And adding in copywriting, I think 100% makes the process of designing a website
I remember talking about this with Anna actually. I was like in an intensive and I was like, why is this so difficult? Like the websites are so hard for me because of the copy. Like the clients won't give me the copy, they're writing it themselves, it's not very good. And then I end up rewriting it and I am not a copywriter, but I've learned a few things along the way. And she was like, you need to like offer this like as an actual package. I'm like, oh. And so.
Mandy
Yep.
laughs
RuthAnn Rafiq
I was hesitant to do that. I just feel like I never really wanted to have a team personally. And so the fact that I also have a little team, it's just a new world for me and just kind of getting over my own stuff. But having a copywriter in-house who can just help you with so many, it's just, I think it changes the game. And yes, it makes the website so much more effective.
Mandy
100%.
Mandy
Yeah, 100%. It's interesting that you said that's something that you brought up with Anna because she actually was the one that was like, you know, people care about copywriting, but like maybe let's separate it from your package. And I was the one that was like, no, I'm gonna definitely do it because I don't wanna have to just like figure out the copy. Like you're saying, like a lot of times we were having websites where it would just drag on and on and on because people didn't know what to write because you don't write for your website most of the time. So yeah, that's funny that that's who convinced you.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yeah. And I also had, like before I had a copywriter, I had a DIY copywriting guide that I purchased from a copywriter. And so I always gave that to my clients, but they didn't really want to go into this huge long thing of like dissecting like the homepage and like, okay, here's the prompts and then you write the thing. It's just a lot of work. And unless you're...
Mandy
Yes.
RuthAnn Rafiq
extremely motivated and you enjoy writing, people just would not do it. They would not use the copywriting guide I had for them. And I think at the end of the day, people want you to do the work for them. That's why they come to us. It's like, I need a website, I wanna look legit online, and I need you to help me with this. And so it's like, okay, great. And so that's why it's so nice to be a full service branding and website studio is because I can do everything.
Mandy
Yep.
RuthAnn Rafiq
you know, now that I have a team, I can like do everything for them. And it just takes the headache and stress out of them and me.
Mandy
Yeah, yeah, that's one thing I get on calls a lot with like prospective clients. And when I mentioned that there's copywriting, they're like, okay, well, I don't really care about that. But then when I mentioned, like, you literally like you're going to get on a couple of calls, you'll have to make a couple decisions here and there about like, choice A or choice B. But besides that, you don't have to be involved. They're like, Oh, I get that. Yes, I definitely want this. So yeah, it's made such a big difference just in helping get that off their plates because you already have like 10 million things that you're doing, that's literally why you're hiring a website designer.
RuthAnn Rafiq
which is 100% true. And I work with a lot of women entrepreneurs who are ready to like up level and they are at that stage in their business where things are growing, things are moving and they just want them to be accelerated. And so like you're saying, they have a lot going on like in their business, not to mention their personal life. So I think it's like so important to take as many decisions off their plate as possible and just let them go through the process and.
like you're saying, like I'm presented with this, I choose A or B and then, you know, then the next week I'm presented with this and I choose something else. So it's so nice to just be in the driver's seat and like, you know, not have to worry about doing everything else.
Mandy
Yeah, 100%. Yeah, super busy entrepreneurs are the people that need websites that work for them because they need something else like off their plate and like having that 24 seven salesperson. So yeah, if you can take another piece of that off their plate, like even in building it, that's ideal.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes. So what is something when people do have a website and they say like their website isn't working or they're saying like, you know, I have a website but like nothing is happening on it. I never send people there because nothing ever happens. Like what would you say like the biggest things probably are with like a website, and I do website assessments for people, so I like love doing that, and I like, you know, am able to give them feedback, but I would love to hear what you think when someone says it's not working for them.
Mandy
Yeah, super interested in what you do in the assessments. But here's what I always tell people is in the first 15 seconds, when somebody gets on your website, you have to be able to know that like what you do, who you do it for and what the next step is. And it's hilarious because that's like the basic parts of a website, right? It's like describing who you are, what you do and what the next step is. And it's incredible how many websites I go on and it's completely unclear as to what they do. It's completely unclear as to who they serve and they don't have any sort of like call to action button right on the main screen. So sometimes I'll go to people's websites and I'm like, okay, I just read through your whole homepage for like a minute or two, which is gonna be more than most people do and I still don't really understand what you do. So honestly, it's really about making it simple so that anyone that goes to your website can understand those three things. Like that's probably the main thing that I find with people. So I'm curious, like what else do you do in your assessment?
RuthAnn Rafiq
In my assessment, which I'm so glad you said those things because that's so good, but whenever I do an assessment for someone, I do. I review their homepage and I tell them what's working on the page, what's not working on the page. I tell them design tweaks I would make. I tell them copy tweaks I would make. I do that for their services and their about, so it's kind of an in-depth review. And it's about 15 minutes and it's just a loom video, so they're able to kind of
watch it and rewatch it if they want to take notes. And I've definitely given a lot of these where they're like, I'm just gonna implement all these changes myself. I hear you loud and clear, don't have the resources to hire someone right now, so I'm just gonna do it myself. So I definitely have people who have done that before. So I think the main thing is letting them know this is what I see what's working, this is what's not working. And sometimes you do need that outside perspective because...
Mandy
Yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
on the inside, you just see it how you see it. And if you don't have anyone helping you or contributing to the conversation, you just don't know what you don't know sometimes. So I think it's so helpful. And I love that you broke it down so plainly, those three things, which is 100% true. And I feel like over the time and all the website assessments I've done, so many times, yes, they are unclear, or I feel like a big one for me is like,
Mandy
Yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
They make their website all about them and it's not about their ideal client. I think that's a huge one. And another one I see is like, they're not using compelling copy. So they're not, it's like fluffy. It's like, you know, they're a coach and they're saying like, I can help you improve your life. It's like, okay, you know, that's fine. But the problem is we are, you know, inundated with so many marketing messages all the time. Like you need copy that's gonna stand out. You need...
Mandy
Yes.
RuthAnn Rafiq
phrasing and like words that are going to stand out and you can't just be General you can't generalize everything I think Especially if you're one of many in a very crowded industry
Mandy
Yeah. Yeah, one thing I found to you that's interesting that you brought that up because one thing I've also found is that a lot of people, if they're in a really crowded industry they like want to make their website look and sound like someone else's and what you end up
Mandy
and just mix and match all of them because none of them have like their own unique personality or their own unique voice. And like that's exactly what you don't wanna do because when there's a million choices, no one's gonna choose you. So like that's like, that's one other thing too that I've seen. So yeah, copy is super important.
RuthAnn Rafiq
That is so true. And I just talked with a client recently and she was saying like with her branding, she wants something like really unique and different. She's like, I just feel like everyone looks all the same and that's the last thing you want is, you know, when you're in an industry and you know, you're one of many and people have a lot of different options, you can, and by the way, you can stand out in so many different ways, you know, with your copy, with like your...
Mandy
100%, yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Claws to action with your branding, there's so many things you can do. But she was just saying, I don't wanna look like everyone else. I wanna look like when they come to my website, they're like, whoa, and I love that. I'm like, as you should, you should look totally different when people come. They should have a unique experience and learn about you and your services. So I think, yeah, that's a huge one.
Mandy
Yeah, I think it's really interesting too. I would assume you feel like this too, but tell me if this is true in your experience. You kind of feel a little bit like a therapist when you're a website designer. Like not on purpose, that's not my intent any of the time, but I feel like so many people's website reflect how they feel about their business. Like when somebody is like, hey, yeah, I don't actually wanna do this speaking engagement because like, then I'd have to direct people to my website and it's just like not great.
I find that like as soon as their website is reinvigorated, like they are too, like their confidence level goes up. So I don't know, like, do you experience that too?
RuthAnn Rafiq
100%, especially if they're like, oh, I just send people to my Instagram because that's where I do all my content and stuff. And do I need a website? Do people need to go there? It's like, I think, first of all, I have so many thoughts about that, but you don't own a social media platform, for one. For two, your website is your home base, it's your hub. It's where you can really...
Mandy
Yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
grow your business in a lot of ways. You can come out with a podcast from your website. You can have a blog. You can have a shop. You can have all sorts of things. So I think your website should be like the home base. And when you're not proud of it, of course you're not going to send people there. Of course you're not going to be marketing. So it's like, it does. It makes you a better marketer for your business when you have a revitalized website that you feel really proud of. And that's one that's like built to be super effective and strategic with
which both of us believe in strategy for the website 100%. So I think it's, yeah, I think it definitely infuses so much more confidence and people are so much more likely to share about their work and their offers when they have a site that they're really proud of.
Mandy
Yeah, yeah, I find it like almost like, I don't want to say it's the cornerstone of people's business, but I really feel like it just reflects like the state of your business in a lot of ways. Like, I found this in my own life, too. We recently redid our website in January and I like went through I wrote all the copy and I'm so in the day to day of my own business. It's so hard to take a step back. So like doing this, like making myself the client was really hard. But as soon as we like launch, it's not perfect. It's it's like it's good. It's it's fine.
But the amount of clarity that I felt around my offers, around what we actually do, and just excitement about actually sharing about my business and getting on Instagram or talking to people and handing out business cards, it honestly skyrocketed. So it was funny like taking myself through that journey and just seeing how true that is in the real world.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, and I did the exact same thing. That's so funny. I also relaunched my site in January and it's such a relief because when you're talking with people, you're just like, you can't wait to send them to your site. You're like, please go to my site, cause you're so proud of it. You really feel that confidence, which also that confidence translates to people wanting to work with you because when you have a lot of confidence in what you're doing and also in how you're presenting yourself and how you show up,
Mandy
That's so funny.
RuthAnn Rafiq
people gravitate towards that. That's what people are normally buying when they're buying something. They want confidence and clarity and I think it just translates. So yeah, it's so good to put ourself in the client's shoes for once, which can be so challenging, I have to say, when you have a lot going on. It's really hard to make that a priority, but so glad you did. Yeah, your site looks fantastic, by the way.
Mandy
Yeah, 100% agree.
Mandy
Yeah.
Mandy
Thank you. I haven't looked at yours in the last like month or two, but I'll have to, I'll have to check it out. It looked really good the last time I looked at it. So, okay, perfect. Yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
I'm sure it was updated then. So yeah, it's... So I would love to hear what is one of the biggest pet peeves you have when it comes to someone saying they want a website. Or you know, one out of, you know, it doesn't have to be the biggest pet peeve, but a pet peeve you have.
Mandy
Yeah, I so there's a couple of scenarios that I don't know if they're necessarily a pet peeves, but they always like make me laugh a little bit. I have a lot of people that come to me. They're typically of a certain industry and demographic, but
It's really funny because they're like, well, I paid someone off Upwork $300 to do this website and yeah, it's just like, it's not working and like, or they got hacked. I've had that a couple of times and I'm just like, well, of course, like, of course that's going to happen. If you pay $300 for something that should be like multiple thousand, that's, that's the result you're going to get. So I, it's not really a pet peeve. It's more just like, okay, well, here we go. We can fix this.
So that's always funny to me because people are like, well, I can get this for $200. And it's like, well, no, you get a completely different level of service.
RuthAnn Rafiq
and you get what you pay for. I've had clients who are like, oh, I had my son's friend do this, or my nephew do this, and I'm like, ooh, that's literally the worst thing you can have happen because it's like, they're not invested, they have no idea anything about online business, they're probably just playing around. You know, it's just, yeah, you definitely get what you pay for, and if you get it for free, it's even worse. It's just like, and then they expect for their, you know, they expect for their business to skyrocket, and normally that's not the case, but it's.
Mandy
Yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
And I think people, yeah, we're just doing our best out here, but it can be hard. Sometimes if people are not aware of the investment of a website or how much the whole service can cost, it can be a lot.
Mandy
Yeah, another...
Mandy
Yeah, for sure. And it's funny you mentioned having like your nephew's, whatever, like design your website. I don't know if you've had this experience, but I've had clients come to me that had someone design their brand in a similar fashion where it's like, their kids is really interested in drawing or whatever. And it's really funny because then they want a website based off that. And I'm like.
All right, cool, do you have the right files? Do you have like colors? And they're like, no, we have nothing. And it's like, if you don't have the structure of your brand, it's really hard for us to build a website because we have no direction. So.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, or another thing, it's not actually a pet peeve, it's just like what people do sometimes. It's like, oh, I was in Canva and came up with this logo and that's basically my brand. I'm like, okay, well, we all start somewhere, but I think we need, I mean, I believe in strategy first. So there's so much that goes into it. It's not just like coming up with a cute color palette. It's like, do we actually know who our ideal client is and all of those things, so.
Mandy
Mm-hmm.
Mandy
Yup.
Mandy
Mm-hmm.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yeah, so much goes into it that people are just like, oh, if I just have this, then all of my problems will go away.
Mandy
Yeah.
Mandy
Yeah, I honestly feel like the website design process kind of amplifies all those areas within your marketing that are weak because we have to pull on so many different strings from your whole business. Like if you don't know what you're offering, that's another one that I get. Sometimes people are like right at the beginning stages of their business and they're probably not quite ready to build a website and I normally tell them that, but they'll be like, yeah, I'm thinking about doing this or maybe this or maybe this. And it's like, if you don't have a clear offer,
we can't write copy for that because we don't actually know what you're doing. We can't really create a website structure on that because again, we don't really know what you're doing. So it's funny that like that happens. If you don't have like a clear branding system, um, have at least like a logo and like color palette and a couple fonts. Um, if you don't have like copy and a voice, like all that stuff plays into it. And it's like, okay, do you have brand photography? No, cool. Well stock imagery is boring. So we're going to try something like, it's just all these things play into
the creation of this one thing. And I think that's why people get overwhelmed with websites is because it's not just one decision, it's like 85 at one time.
RuthAnn Rafiq
You are 100% correct and I think there are so many pieces that go into a website, it's not just getting your website, it's having the copy, it's having the branding, it's having the photos, there's so many things you have to have set up, which is why I wanna mention that when you do a website or you're getting a website done
This is normally a once in every five to 10 years situation. That's how I like to think of it is because yes, this is a huge investment. Yes, there's, well, I guess it's all relative, but yes, this is something that you have to, really save up for sometimes. Yes, this is a big undertaking, but this is something that's gonna help establish your business for so many years to come. This is not just, oh, we're probably gonna do this like every year, like every two years. This is something you,
do once in a blue moon and you shouldn't be doing it all the time. Like I think you should always make little refreshes along the way and like tweaks and make sure things are fresh and relevant with photos and whatnot. But I think the actual structure and foundation of the site should be with you for a very long time.
Mandy
100% agreed. I always tell clients, I ask them a lot about their long-term goals and sometimes I'll get someone that's like, why are you asking me about my income goals? I'm like, well, because I want to know what you're making now and also what you want to make in the next couple of years because that really does determine what direction we need to take this site and what kind of look we need to give it and based on the target market and things like that. So yeah, five years is the minimum.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, 100%, the minimum. 100%. I feel like I say 100% a lot, but...
Mandy
I do too, so there's probably like 10,000% on this podcast. Ha ha ha.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Okay, any other pet peeves or something that you wish people knew when they go into a website process?
Mandy
Yeah, I think the last one is really just when you hire a website designer, you're delegating the actual doing, but you can't delegate the decision making. I think we do everything we possibly can to take every piece, again, we possibly can off of your plate, but I get some people sometimes that just want to have one conversation, have me go build and then launch without any feedback in the middle. And...
you need feedback. So I think having some time set aside, like it doesn't have to be an extensive amount of time, but like an hour or two every week or two to go through and thoughtfully leave some feedback on whatever your designer is doing is super helpful and honestly critical to the success of the project. So that's, I think one other thing that, yeah, that I, I find that people don't realize before they get into this.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, and that's something I try to communicate in the discovery call is like, this is gonna be as hands-free as possible, but you do need to be involved and I do need to have contact with you. I need to hear back from you within like 24 to 48 hours, like non-negotiable. Like that's sometimes people are like, oh yeah, just, you know, I'll get back to you next week. It's like, well, we have a timeline and I'm trying to stay on schedule and so I need to hear back from you.
And yeah, just setting some time aside, know that this is gonna be a little bit of a process, but I'm here to help you as much as I can.
Mandy
Yeah. And I think people don't understand either is like, for every hour that they're giving us, we're probably spending like 10 to 20 in the background doing everything we possibly can to take it off their plates. And at the same time, they're saving a ton of time by hiring us because we already have the process in place. Like, so I think, I mean, exchanging five to six hours of your time for a website is a steal, honestly.
RuthAnn Rafiq
That is such a good way to look at it. I didn't think about it like that, but that is so true. And I know my client, I have a client right now who she's, we're going through the whole thing and she is having us design an opt-in and she wrote copy for the opt-in. And I mean, there's just so many things to think about, honestly. And she's newer to the online space. So she's like, you know, just getting everything established but it's like.
You don't know what you don't know. And like having someone who's done this before with dozens of clients is so useful because it saves them even more time. Because it's like, well, what do I need for this? And what do I need for this? And can you add in a scheduler? Can you help me with an opt-in? Like, you know, all these things we can do, we just, you know, need to know what you're, like what you mentioned a second ago. Like, what are your goals? Where are you hoping to go with this? Like, you know, how else can we help you? So yeah, I like that.
Mandy
Yeah, and I think both you and I are very aligned in like, there are some designers or like people on Upwork that you can hire to build a website for you that aren't gonna ask all these questions and they just expect you to deliver like the brief. And if you've never done a website project before, you don't know how to write that brief. So like, that's also part of what we offer is like, we're taking all the information that you're telling us and like pulling out the relevant things to ask more questions about, so that we can create the brief so that we can build you a website that actually like works for you. So...
Yeah, it's really, it's always really cool talking with other designers that do websites because I feel like we have a very interesting way of looking at things.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, and it's so much more, I used to have the perspective years ago of like, it's mainly design, like making it look a certain way. And I've just come such a long way since then, because I don't have like a marketing background or anything like that. And so after being in the online space for so many years and learning so much about copywriting, learning so much about strategy, about marketing,
You just learn all these things along the way. And I'm like a forever student as well. So I want to keep learning about all these things so I can deliver the best product. But there are so many things to think about and hiring a team is so valuable because they are bringing all of their experience. And I recently hired a website person on my team, which is fantastic just to have her input because we all come with like different
ways of delivering to the client and how to come up with the sites. And I just feel like the more we can share our knowledge and the more we can help each other, you know, we can create the best product for the client and it can just be like the most smooth process.
Mandy
Yeah, totally agree.
RuthAnn Rafiq
So is there anything else you wanna add to the website topic of conversation before we switch gears into a motherhood? And I love talking about motherhood, so yeah, anything else you wanna add when it comes to websites or if people are looking to get a site done, any advice you would give to someone?
Mandy
Yeah, I think really just, the only thing I would add is, if you're looking to get a website done, you really wanna vet your designer a little bit, ask some of the questions. I think I've put together a guide somewhere, I can find it. Just some questions to ask your designer to make sure that they actually can help you before you hire them. So that's really the only thing I would say is don't go in blindly, kind of have an idea of what you're looking for.
and make sure that somebody's thinking strategically and not just specifically like make it pretty, so.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, I cannot emphasize that enough. Like, pretty captures the attention, but strategy holds the attention. So you want the attention to be held. So I think it's important to have both of those things together, the strategy and the design. And copywriting, I can't emphasize enough how important copywriting is. So having all of those things or someone helping you with all those things if you're going into the website process is so, so useful.
Mandy
Yes.
Mandy
Yes, 100%.
RuthAnn Rafiq
So, talking about, or going into motherhood a little bit. So your little guy is a year and a half. So what is your childcare situation? What does your work week look like? I always love talking to other mompreneurs doing the whole, you know, my kid is with me all day or something. So I would love to hear what you're doing.
Mandy
Hehehehe
Mandy
Yeah, so I am now very grateful. My kiddo goes to a little Montessori school near our house, five days a week. And it was really hard at first. He actually for the first year of his life, he was home with me, we had like a sitter come over and watch him so I could work a couple hours. But it just got to the point where it was like, okay, we need like, we need some we need some space. And I need more than three or four hours a day to work. So
We signed him up for this school and it was so hard at first, but he is just thriving. Like he actually threw a fit the other day when I went to go pick him up because he didn't want to leave. And he was like hugging his teacher. I was like, okay, well. So yeah, that's the situation now, but it was not like that even like six months ago. So.
RuthAnn Rafiq
I totally agree. When I first put Zia in preschool, oh my gosh, I was more of a basket case than he, and we, like he was very attached to me, and he still is, but like, he had a really rough time going, but I had an even harder time. And so it was just, it was, man. Yeah, that first send off is a whole thing.
Mandy
Mm-hmm.
Mandy
It's a whole mental shift. Yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Oh, sorry, I just noticed it said something about our internet connection. Hopefully, it should be fine. It went away. Um, let's see what I was going to say. Um...
Mandy
Uh oh.
Mandy
Okay.
RuthAnn Rafiq
So five days a week, which is fantastic for you. So how many hours, can I ask how, like what the hours are on that?
Mandy
Yeah, it's actually like incredible. We happen to stumble upon this school, but I think we can drop him off as early as 7.30 and pick him up as late as 5.30. I typically drop him off like 8.39 and then pick him up around 3.34. So yeah, he does like most of the day there, which is really, really cool.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yeah, that's our situation too. Zia does preschool. It's the same situation, a little monetary preschool, and he does it three days a week, but we have the option to go to five days a week. And so it's nice to have so many options and they have different time options too. You can do like an eight to 12 or you can do like an eight to three, which is what we do, or you can do a seven to six, which is all day. So yeah, it's nice to have like all the options and they're so flexible. Yeah, I love our little preschool.
Mandy
That's awesome.
Mandy
There you go.
Mandy
Okay.
RuthAnn Rafiq
That's good.
Mandy
I've literally never been more excited about like a school. Like I was really nervous to find the right fit for him. And I, I've just been thrilled. So yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
That's so good. Yeah, every single day when I do my little daily check-in, like a gratitude, I always say his preschool. Like I'm so thankful for his preschool. That is so true. Yes, I really, really like it. And yeah, he talks about his teachers all the time and yeah, it's sweet. So that's so good. So are you working like 100% of the time that he's in school?
Mandy
Same! Like literally the top of my list is like, thank goodness we found them.
Mandy
That's so fun.
Mandy
Right now unfortunately slash fortunately. Yes, I went from like I went from a situation where before I had him I was working like probably 40 hours a week and after he was born, I think I went down to like 10 So now I'm kind of at a happy medium of like 30 hours a week Um, I try to reserve Fridays for myself, but typically stuff overflows into there So my goal eventually is to get to the point where it's like Monday through Thursday is work and Friday is For me to finally get a haircut after a year and a half
Um, so that's the goal. Yeah. Just always falls at the bottom of the to do list. So.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Which we can all relate to, at least I can.
RuthAnn Rafiq
So true. I love that. Well, that sounds pretty dreamy. That's, I mean, a lot of hours. I mean, well, it's a lot more than what I'm doing right now, but.
Mandy
You know, every season is different and like we, I mean, I know you have two, so like that, that's a whole nother level of planning and scheduling and taking care of two kids. I cannot even fathom.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yes, and it's going to be three extremely soon now. So at the time of recording this, baby is going to be here in eight weeks. So it's yeah, definitely coming soon. So I think we and we were talking about this before we hit record, but like knowing what season you're in is vitally important when you're doing this because it's extremely hard to balance both because there's just a lot of things in the air and when you have multiple kids, especially when they're little, little.
Mandy
I'm trying to record you guys.
Mandy
Mm-hmm.
RuthAnn Rafiq
It's just, it's difficult. It's really difficult. And so I think knowing what season you're in and being willing to adjust, and I love that you found a situation that you absolutely love. Cause I know you were doing, you had a nanny I think before, and you had like, you were trying out different things and that's how it is honestly. You have to see what works for you and just know what season you're in and all that. But, and so the nanny worked for a little while, but then you were like, we need to get him out of the house or.
Mandy
Yeah.
Yeah.
Mandy
So we had two nannies in 10 months, I think, and both of them left of their own accord. It was not us. We've clarified that with them because we wanted to make sure. But the second one went back. She actually is a daycare teacher. She actually found a new job and wanted to do that. So it was really just like situational. And I was really hesitant to go the daycare route just because you have this tiny little thing that's fully relying on you and
RuthAnn Rafiq
Mm.
Mandy
I don't know about your, the Montessori school you're at, but they wouldn't leave and let him start until he was 15 months. And right then was right when he was independent enough that I felt good enough about handing him off. So anyways, it all worked out, but it was very much just like, we're literally taking this like week by week for like a year.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Yeah, yes, and that's what I tell my husband too. It's like, this is not a, okay, this is gonna be our life for the next year. I want us to be reevaluating this every so often. I want us to come back if we need to make a different decision. And they do, our school does have a young, a littles, and I forget the name. It's like this cute little, yeah.
Mandy
I think it's like Neato's or something.
RuthAnn Rafiq
And so they have like the little one and then they were like, oh, do you want to bring Sophia like in the fall? And I'm like, cause she'll be old enough then I was like, I don't know if I'm ready for that. We'll have to see, but yes, there's like the little ones. He started when he was three and a half. So a little bit older, but like I told you, before we hit record, I've been doing the nap time hustle and continue to do that, but I think something is going to need to change.
Mandy
Okay.
RuthAnn Rafiq
when I come back from a journey leave, just because I'm gonna have two little ones at home and then Zia in preschool. So I'm gonna have to figure out what to do about that. Nap time has worked for me, but I think I'm needing some real dedicated time. And I honestly can't believe I've done the nap time thing for so long, but I...
Mandy
I have no idea how you did that because I like Noah did not sleep for the first year of his life not on me. So I have no idea how you did that. So props to you.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Well, my kids definitely slept in their crib. So I mean, if they were, I mean, it would be a different situation if that was the case, but, and yeah, I just feel like all of us have different, you know, we all relate so much if we're in this season. Like it just makes sense, but we all have very different kids and different styles and everything like that. So it is taking it week by week. It is figuring out like, what season am I in? Do I want to lean in my business? Do I want to go for it? Or do I need to like kind of pull back? And so I think it's just knowing
Mandy
Yeah.
RuthAnn Rafiq
what your capacity is and knowing what's important to you right now. What is the most important thing to you right now? That's something that I'm just having to come back to. It's like, okay, what do I really want in this season? What am I hoping will happen? You know, that kind of thing. And just going back to what do you want, which can be actually hard to answer sometimes. So that's kind of where I'm at right now. I was just like, I need to...
Mandy
So hard.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Re-evaluate some things, see where I'm at. Especially coming back from a touring leave, I'll have a different perspective and idea then, I'm sure. Just figuring it out day by day, basically. Hour by hour, seriously. Oh my gosh, Mandy, I feel like I could talk to you forever. I'm so glad we were able to chat about just things that people can expect when they wanna work on their website.
Mandy
reevaluation being.
Mandy
Yeah, you'll figure it out. Yeah. Hour by hour sometimes to be honest. Ha ha ha.
RuthAnn Rafiq
motherhood, all the things. I would love for you to share where people can find you. And if you have a freebie, you can share that now. So yeah, let us know.
Mandy
Yeah, people can find me at hopcreative.com. And I think on Instagram, I handle as hopcreative, H-O-P-P. And I do have a freebie. If you go on my website, it'll pop up. I also need to link it at hopcreative.com slash guide, which I'll do before this podcast comes out. And it is all about the five key ingredients that you need to create your best website. So it's kind of like a pre-planning guide. If you're thinking about getting a website, you can use it to kind of go through all those steps.
RuthAnn Rafiq
I love that. Thank you so much for coming on today. This was such a fun chat. I'll have to have you on again and we can riff more about designer pet peeves and all the things, but.
Mandy
Yeah, thank you so much Ruth Ann. This was so fun and it's always so fun. I always joke like I'm always adopted by extroverts because I do not stay in touch with people and you are definitely that person and I just love it. I love talking with you so thank you for adopting me.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Of course, I have to stay in touch with you. I love it. I know that our schedules are busy and we have very busy lives and businesses, but it's so good staying in touch and having that designer friend. Everyone should have that friend who can just be encouraging and also be completely real and honest, and that's who you are. And so I'm just so thankful to have you in my corner.
Mandy
Same to you, Ruth Ann.
RuthAnn Rafiq
Thank you so much, Mandy, and I'll talk to you all next week.
