a little bitabout us
Hi — I'm Nina.
My husband Patrick calls me an "unofficial brand ambassador" because when I love a business, I'll cheer them on as if I'm being paid to do so. Years later, I still tell everyone and their mother to go to Hustle & Dough, the adorable bakery in my old neighborhood that transforms into a cocktail bar at night with the best Negroni around. Everywhere I go, I'm keeping an eye out for cool ventures run by good people.
That spirit is what sparked the idea for Monarque. I kept coming across hidden gems with incredible services and products, but brands and websites that didn’t do them justice.
It didn't take long to figure out why: small businesses were caught between two extremes. As a developer at a marketing agency, I saw firsthand how a polished brand and website could increase profit for a business. But we were building highly-custom, complex websites that came with five-to-six figure price tags... worth it for a big company, but overkill for a small business. And while DIY templates are inexpensive, they're also quick to look generic, difficult to scale, and lack support. I thought small businesses deserved a middle ground between the two.
That's why I founded Monarque as a boutique design studio offering professional, high-quality work on a smaller scale, faster timeline, and more affordable price. Let's work together!
You can't read the label when you're inside the bottle.
If you're anything like most of our clients, you're probably frustratedly working on the fourth (or perhaps the fortieth?) iteration of your DIY website.
Maybe you change the fonts and colors on a whim based on trends.
Maybe you gave up on staring at a blank screen and just had AI write and design the content.
Maybe you feel like a moonlight designer, working on your website into the wee hours of the morning... only to scrap it all the next day.
The problem isn't that you aren't smart or creative or decisive enough. It's that you lack perspective. You're deep in the details of your business, which means it's hard to see the big picture (and even harder to market that "big picture" to a new customer).
Let's help you find a better perspective.
Our Approach
Easy Collaboration
Whether you like to be involved with every design choice or step back and trust the process, we're here for you.
As one of our clients so kindly reviewed:
"I’ve worked with other developers and designers in the past, but Nina was the first person I genuinely felt comfortable giving feedback to. She approached every note with thoughtfulness and creativity, and somehow each round only made the brand and website stronger. Working with Studio Monarque felt truly collaborative from start to finish, and I’m so grateful for the care, strategy, and talent Nina brought to the process. 100/10 recommend!"
Bang for your Buck
I'm a pretty practical person by nature. When I'm investing in something (whether it's a car, a new software for my business, or a vacation), I do extensive research to make sure I'm maximizing my returns. I want to get the most bang for my buck.
I want the same thing for you. It's very important to me that this process is a productive investment for you. My goal is always for your new brand and website to earn back what you paid PLUS plenty of profit beyond it in the years to come!
Work to Live Approach
We are firmly "work to live" people. 🫡
Our goal is to help you structure your business in a way that gives you more free time and more money, all while still serving your clients in the best way.
We do this with systems that take care of the "background noise" of running a business: like answering repetitive questions, the pressure to constantly post on social media... and on and on.
Happy to be Here
We want this process to feel like a breath of fresh air for you.
Building a new brand and website is a big step, but that doesn't mean it has to be stressful! We use flexible timelines throughout our process that keep us on track without the pressure of firm deadlines and try to add in fun at every step.
Take it from one of our favorite past clients, who left this kind review:
"Beyond the work itself, she’s just a really good human. Easy to talk to, patient, honest, and clearly cares about what she’s creating for you. I never felt rushed or like I had to have it all figured out."
Start Growing Online
Here’s a quick snapshot of businesses we love collaborating with:
New businesses who want a strong, professional online presence from the start
Established businesses who have outgrown their current site and are ready for something built to convert
Solo Entrepreneurs who need to scale and present a refined, credible brand online
Sound like you? Let's get together.
