How did this all begin?
The spark that set off the makings of my web design business happened on a rainy day in my small studio apartment back in Brooklyn, NY in 2010.
Sitting at my desk, holding a pencil, staring down at a blank piece of paper, I was trying to think of ways I might feel more useful in the world while also using my creativity. I'd had some ideas but nothing notable until suddenly a truly good idea came to mind.
Web design.
What prompted me to have this notion? I remembered that back in high school I'd taught myself HTML by looking at source code in Netscape (ha) and had loved it. Meanwhile, as a full-time working jazz saxophonist and clarinetist, I had a template website that looked like everyone else's.
(I pretty much hated it).
But what if I re-learned how to make websites and started with my own? It could finally be what I wanted it to be: a truly unique reflection of me and my music.
The idea lit a fire beneath me! I spent the next six months buried in books bought at a Barnes & Noble in Union Square, learning everything I could about modern web development (as it turned out, much had changed about the web since high school).
And I got my first client, a jazz pianist in the city, a few months later.
And now?
Fast forward to today and besides being delighted to have transitioned back to a more peaceful life in my hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan, it also delights me to get to work with a variety of business owners and creatives every day on their websites.
And, when you think about it, I'm doing the same thing today as I was when I wanted to make myself a website that reflected what was unique about me as a musician. Whatever it is my clients and/or their businesses do in the world, I consider it my job to see and pull out what's most unique and impactful about them - and bring that to light on their website.
For when your website is a mirror image of the gems within you and your business, that's when the magic happens.
What does "Ellanyze" mean?
When I rebranded my business several years ago, I decided it would be fun to make up a word for my new business name. That way I could define it (not to mention it's a fabulous conversation starter). So I made up the word Ellanyze. Where does it come from? It comes from Ella (meaning "she") which represents the feminine in my work, and the word "Synchronize" which is what I love to do: get you and your website "in sync" or perfectly aligned with one another!
What are you doing when you're not designing websites?
Spending time with my dog, Hudson. I named him after the Hudson River in NYC. He has changed my life in more ways than I can count (but once I tried to count).
In the music world, I'm now a singer-songwriter and guitarist. I released my first full-length album in January 2024. If you're curious to hear my album or join my email list so you know where I'm performing next, check out JanelleHaskell.com.
I also enjoy exploring our beautiful state of Michigan, reading, craft beer, and a great many other things.