Caitlin McKeon’s Journey: From Passion Project to Customer-focused Business

Partner Spotlight - November 2024

What started as a hobby became a business, then an obsession to help fellow small business owners.

- by Kim Ranjbar; photos by Thistle & Roots Photography

Caitlin McKeon’s career as a web designer and branding specialist is rooted in passion, creativity, and a mission to support small businesses. Caitlin discovered her love for digital design and development early on, dabbling in website design and coding for fun. Today, through her business, Caitlin McKeon Creative, she’s bringing brands to life online and guiding them in a rapidly evolving digital world.

​Caitlin blends her skills in journalism and international relations with a knack for coding. “I’ve been building websites since college,” she recalls. “It was just a passion project, a creative way to escape the mundane.” That creative escape soon transformed into a fulfilling career path, leading her to create personal websites to host her own blogs and share her unique voice. 

 
Born in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and raised between there and Michigan with strong ties to Mississippi, family remains at the heart of her world. McKeon has two young children: Bennett, 7, and Isla, 5. Living in Waveland, she continues to grow her business while prioritizing her role as a mother.
 
McKeon’s work involves more than just building websites – it’s about developing a brand identity that resonates. She believes successful branding extends far beyond a logo. “A logo doesn’t do all the work,” she explains, “Color theory, verbal identity, visual identity – these aspects all play into how customers perceive and connect with a brand.” McKeon dives deep into every branding project, ensuring that her clients’ businesses have a cohesive, powerful online presence.
 

Starting with branding essentials, McKeon guides clients through creating a complete package, helping them achieve consistency and clarity in their brand’s message. “If you’re not consistent, it’s difficult for your potential customer base to understand what you do,” she notes. Her goal is for every client to emerge as an authority in their field, with a clear brand that leaves an impression.
 
For McKeon, every project is about building meaningful relationships. “I want to make sure the clients we work with also reflect our values,” she shares. She has a particular focus on supporting women-owned businesses and is passionate about helping them succeed. Her Bloom Program, for instance, offers discounted services to women entrepreneurs, helping them build their brand identities and creating a strong foundation online.
 

 
The sense of purpose in her work is evident in her commitment to transparency and long-term support. McKeon doesn’t place her clients on retainer, choosing instead to include three months of follow-up assistance. “I want people to know, ‘you can do this, and I can show you how,’” she says, emphasizing her dedication to client empowerment.
 
Starting her business as a single mother of two during the pandemic, McKeon knows firsthand the challenges small businesses face. She watched her community’s local businesses struggle to survive during the shutdowns and was driven to help them adapt by creating an online presence. Her own journey has not been without hardship; she went through a divorce in 2019 and has experienced the demands of balancing business and family life.
 

Despite these obstacles, McKeon has big plans for the future of her business. She’s preparing to expand her team, bringing on a graphic designer, social media manager, and web designer to help meet growing demand. She’s even in the process of securing office space, signaling a new era for her company.
 
Social media is an ever-changing landscape, and McKeon is quick to adapt. At Caitlin McKeon Creative, she takes a full-service approach to social media management, handling everything from content creation to engagement and analytics. Her clients don’t have to worry about creating content or keeping up with posting strategies; she ensures their social media is constantly active and engaging. McKeon’s hands-on approach includes photography, videography, graphic design, copywriting, and managing online interactions, making social media one less task for her clients.
 

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Through her business, McKeon is redefining what it means to be a web designer. Her focus on community, passion for supporting women-owned businesses, and genuine commitment to her clients set her apart in the industry. Whether working with a local florist like The French Potager or managing social media for Bay St. Louis Little Theater and events like the area’s annual Boo in the Bay Parade, McKeon brings dedication and heart to each project.
 
At the core of her work is a deep-seated desire to make a difference, not only for her clients but also in her community. McKeon’s journey from a college hobbyist to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and belief in the power of small businesses. As she puts it, “If you love your business and are excited about it, then nobody can tell you anything else,” she says. “I love having clients who are passionate about what they do.”

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