Kristine Neil

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a co-editor at a small, not-for-profit international network for playwrights who write for young audiences.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Kristine Neil?

Operating since 2011, we’re a shoestring company that runs mostly as a volunteer organization. We built our original site on Squarespace 5. After collecting the funding for the project, we wanted to upgrade it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Like I said earlier, our old site was built in Squarespace 5. We decided to upgrade it to Squarespace 7. Starting with Kristine (Founder, Kristine Neil), we determined which parts of the old site should be migrated to the upgraded version. That way, she had content to work within her efforts to deliver a product that matched our aesthetic and message. 

It was a large-scale upgrade, so we had many conversations about design and architecture throughout the build of the site. During the project, she was able to provide organizational and structural recommendations to make the design more user-friendly and accessible. We were one of the first projects she undertook after branching off from her previous employer.

What is the team composition?

We worked exclusively with Kristine on the project.

How did you come to work with Kristine Neil?

Through Squarespace, there’s a group of designers who recommend web designers. They sent me about five vendor option for my project. After interviewing them, I was interested in Kristine and the company she worked for formerly. By the time we reached a decision, though, she had split off and started her own company.

I decided to follow her from her old job to her new company because I trusted her, and we had a good rapport. She obviously was technically skilled, but she also understood our goals and how to translate them into an improved product.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $5,000 on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted two weeks in July 2019. Everything was completed in that window.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’ve been met with positive reactions to the new site. It was important for it to aesthetically appeal to our international audience, so we wanted it to be inclusive of other languages. I gave her a document with very short poems in about 25 different languages including Maltese, Arabic, Urdu, etc.

She ended up incorporating it into the design as an underlying wallpaper. Seeing the multiple languages makes the site immediately friendlier for those whose first language is not English. In terms of accessibility, the site got rave reviews from my international friends, who felt that it was much more user-friendly for diverse audiences. 

It was also visually appealing—it didn’t look like it was by the book. We’re really happy with the sense of color and design she brought to the table.

How did Kristine Neil perform from a project management standpoint?

At first, I felt like the project was going to be a bit rushed given our two-week timeline. But, she absolutely delivered. We even had an extended day to go over all of the new functionalities. She walked me through everything she created, so we could easily use the site. Squarespace 7 is very different from version 5, so I found that very helpful.

What did you find most impressive about them?

She was smart, asked good questions, and listened. Working hard to teach me how the new software functioned, she really seemed to care about us as partners. While she was able to give her professional opinion, she didn’t have an ego, either.

She was empathetic, had a great sense of humor, and was always doing the best she possibly could for us. In our collaboration, she humbly offered suggestions to help us solve our problems. 

Even after we reached an agreement, she sent over this gift box containing pens, screen cleaner, and chocolate. That was a really nice gesture. It told us that she was here to help us. Good manners are good business, so the fact that she sent me something looking forward to the project was particularly thoughtful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything. I was pleased with her work and would hire her again in a heartbeat.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Discuss your goals and requirements with her. She’s perfectly capable of doing things by the book, but that isn’t what we wanted—she’s flexible. Have a sense of humor and don’t be afraid to seem like you don’t know what you’re talking about. Because we asked for help, her advice became critical to our workflow. She’s a creative person and can provide valuable insights.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Classically Curated. We're an online consignment clothing store.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Markon Brands?

I was looking for a vendor to create my website from the Squarespace platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Markon Brands designed a Squarespace website for me, created the content, and helped me with branding. They also improved the logo that I had designed. I sent them all the requirements I had for the website and they implemented them.

What is the team composition?

I worked with two members of their team, one of whom was responsible for branding and another one was in charge of the graphic design.

How did you come to work with Markon Brands?

I found them on Thumbtack. We had a phone call and they seemed very friendly and approachable. They understood what I was looking for and they were willing to work with my budget, so I chose them.

How much have you invested with them?

It cost me about $2,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I worked with them between May–July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

I'm very happy with the design. The website looks very professional and the feedback has been positive.

How did Markon Brands perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very efficient and organized. We mostly used email to stay in touch and they responded promptly, answering all of my questions. I didn't have a large budget because I was just starting my business, but they treated me like I was a great client. Also, they were easy to work with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were as excited about the project as I was.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Maybe they could provide more documentation, giving me a heads-up of what we'd cover.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Even if you don't know what you want from your website, they can make recommendations and guide you through the whole process.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CFO and Vice President of PREP, a new hair studio franchise that specializes in serving kids from ages 2–18.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Markon Brands?

We engaged Markon Brands to create a new website that includes e-commerce integration.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a design that conveyed our brand’s values and aesthetics. We also wanted an e-commerce site where customers can order our products directly.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We sent requests to 15 vendors that specialize in Squarespace development. After our initial discussions with each vendor, we narrowed down the list to five. Markon Brands stood out from the competition based on their attentiveness, creative ideas, and excellent portfolio. 

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Markon Brands designed and developed a website in Squarespace with an associated e-commerce store.

What was the team composition?

We worked with the entire Markon Brands team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Since the website’s launch, our online sales have increased. The easy-to-navigate interface has received overwhelming praise from our customers.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Markon Brands delivered a high-quality site ahead of schedule. They were highly responsive throughout the process; we received nearly immediate follow-ups to every email.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The team easily grasped our vision, resulting in a site that met our needs exactly. We also appreciated their attentiveness and diligent work.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, Markon Brands exceeded our expectations.