Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Lee.
Hi Whitney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was working at a federal credit union and absolutely miserable. Every day felt like my spirit was being slowly crushed. Around that time, a close friend of mine, whose young son was battling an incurable form of cancer (neuroblastoma), invited me to visit her in NYC while they were going through another experimental trial.
One day during my visit, we decided to check out the Statue of Liberty. Standing up there on the observation deck, looking out over the city, I had this moment of clarity. What had felt like overwhelming chaos down on the streets suddenly transformed into something else entirely—a beautifully choreographed system where everything was flowing in sync. That shift in perspective hit me hard. I realized the world wasn’t spinning out of control—it was moving exactly as it should. And if I wanted something in my life to change, I didn’t need to wait around. I needed to take action.
I quit my job the day after I got home.
I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to build, but I knew it couldn’t look anything like what I left behind. So I started piecing together the parts of life I felt most drawn to. That process led me to launch my first business: an eco-friendly pet supply boutique.
I had a background in real estate and business administration, so I wasn’t going in blind—but there’s a huge difference between learning about entrepreneurship and actually doing it. I threw myself into the world of e-commerce, went to trade shows, built vendor relationships, and started assembling a small team. But my biggest challenge came from the very thing that should’ve helped me most: my website. I hired a local web agency that promised a 3-month turnaround. Nine months later, the site still wasn’t functional—and I was sitting on expired inventory and rising overhead.
With no money left to hire a new agency, I had two options: go back to the job I had just escaped… or learn how to build the site myself. The thought of returning to the corporate world made my stomach turn, so I taught myself everything I could about web design. Branding, SEO, UX, copywriting, marketing—I bought the courses, read the books, and figured it out.
Eventually, I launched my own site. And not only did it work—it looked good, it converted, and I was proud of what I had created. But I also realized something: while I liked the products I was selling, I loved the process of building brands and bringing ideas to life online.
So I pivoted. I sold the boutique inventory, went to local business meetups, and started helping other small business owners build their digital presence. That “side job” eventually became a full-time business—and I haven’t looked back since.
What sets me apart in this industry is twofold:
1. I’ve been in the client’s shoes. I understand the stress, the budget constraints, and the hope that your designer just gets it.
2. I didn’t stop at learning how to design. I became obsessed with mastering all five disciplines that go into building a successful website: branding, design, copywriting, SEO, and marketing. That holistic approach is what allows me to help my clients create not just beautiful websites—but powerful digital ecosystems that actually work.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha, no. I think I answered most of that in the previous question. They say being an entrepreneur is the fastest path to personal growth and I agree. Well, if you want to succeed that is. Its constantly forcing you out of your comfort zone. A never ending self evolution.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I own 2 businesses but the one I’m writing about is Scandi Design Co. Strategic web design and branding. I built my first website in 2012 and became a full time designer in 2015.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Not to settle for what you think the world expects of you.
I have personal motto: follow the spark
That spark is there for a reason. It’s trying to lead you down the path that’s best for you. Follow it.
Pricing:
- I work with WordPress, Shopify and Square
- Pricing starts at $5k
Contact Info:
- Website: https://scandidesign.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scandidesignco
- Email: hello@scandidesign.co
Image Credits:
Whitney Lee
