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. My second full length album is set to release in October, 2025! 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.