Meet your creative guide
Hi, I’m Steven - I’m a creative at heart who has worn many hats over the past 20+ years, including web/graphic designer, digital marketer, local event planner, and small business strategy consultant. The common thread is simple: I love helping people bring big ideas to life. Whether it’s building a brand, planning a launch, or creating a better system for how you work, I bring creativity and real-world experience to every project. Turning something that’s just an idea into something real is what drives me. My journey started in middle school when I popped a design software CD into my first computer and was amazed by what I could make from nothing. The white screen on my monitor was my canvas. Through college, I freelanced web design for local mom-and-pop shops and later expanded into learning the ropes of digital marketing. Back in the early days of Google, I joined their agency training and certification program, which helped me learn how to create marketing campaigns that work. After graduation, I worked in my local startup scene community in Winston-Salem’s Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, partnering with brands like Wix.com, Flywheel Coworking, Google for Startups, Creative Startups, and the Center for Creative Economy. Today, I’m a Senior Designer at a global web hosting technology company, and I still take on select projects that let me work directly with small business owners and local creators. I’ve learned that design isn’t just about making things look nice. It’s about solving problems, connecting people, and done well it can bring good ideas to life.
Local brands and community favorites I’ve helped
Since 2007, I’ve helped 100+ brands. From micro small biz to global orgs.
North Carolina Design Ambassador, Creating Design Workshops for Local SMBs
Event Marketing & Design Consultant, and Event Host for Startup Related Events/Talks
Design Coach for TechStars Weekend Events
Local Chapter Event Marketing and Design Manager
Event Host & Speaker on Design & Mktg for SMB's Using WYSIWYG Tools
Event Marketing and Design Consultant, as well as 10th Place Business Idea Winner
Event Marketing and Design Manager
Digital Marketing Specialist and Designer
Event Speaker on Design & Mktg Tools for SMBs and Startups
Design Coach for Startup Weekend Events in Startup Hub Community & Universities
Event Marketing and Design Manager
Digital Marketing Specialist and Senior Designer
Projects I’ve brought to life
I’ve worked with over 100+ businesses on everything from websites to logos to print collateral and full brand launches. Here’s a sample of the kind of creative I can bring to your project.
Things I’ve built for me
Other than LlanoMedia, and alongside client projects, I’ve built and grown my own creative ventures from the ground up. One of them, Clink Paint Pop-Ups, has hosted more than 1,400 guests at local bars and breweries. These kinds of hands-on projects let me test ideas, learn what really connects with people, and bring that same experience to the small businesses I help every day.
What I can help you with
Starting from scratch
Have an idea but no brand or website yet? I’ll help you figure out what you need, build it, and launch it.
Look good everywhere
From your logo to your signs, menus, or flyers, I’ll bring your vision to life and make your business look professional and consistent.
Hassle free websites
I create simple and clear websites that help people find you, understand what you offer, and are easy for you to manage on your own.
Ongoing help
Once you’re up and running, I can keep things updated and help you grow.
What people I’ve worked with say
"Working with Steven was an absolute pleasure. He designed my website and helped me set up my Wix POS system for my business, making the entire process smooth and stress free. Steven walked me through each step so that my website and branding could truly reflect my vision. When it came to integrating the POS system, I was nervous since I’m not very tech savvy, but Steven explained everything in such detail that I felt confident moving forward on my own. I’ve received countless compliments on my website and branding, all thanks to his skill and creativity. I would work with Steven a hundred times over and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a professional, patient, and talented designer who truly cares about his clients and their vision." Jordan Byrd - Byrdhouse Books (Kernnersville, NC)
"Steven was awesome to work with on my website. He gave me a bunch of great ideas, helped me implement them into the website, and basically redesigned the whole thing. He will deliver on time." Hornsby Construction (Columbia, SC) My Sex My Life Campaign (Columbus, Ohio)
"I met Steven about a year ago and we clicked immediately. Steven is an energetic, enterprising and pleasant person to be around. He has the ability to adapt to an environment, people and personalities, and make it his own. As demands increases in technology, design and critical thinking he makes it happen. I wish him continued success with his can do attitude." Mona King - Mona + Associates Design, LLC (Winston-Salem, NC)
"Steven was excellent to work with. He was able to take my vision for my website and bring it to life. I was very new to the whole process of web designing and Steven was extremely patient and very flexible with me. He was really good about explaining the process as we went along, and he always made himself available. He also got the job done in a timely manner. I highly recommend Steven. I look forward to working with him with all my future web designs projects." My Sex My Life Campaign (Columbus, Ohio)
"Steven is awesome! He has been an invaluable member of our Dreams Followed advisory board. He continually shows up from a place of deep service and grounded support. Thank you Steven! I look forward to working with you again soon." Megan Shuford - Manager of Program Operations at Forward Cities (Durham, NC)
"Simply put, Steven is his own social network. He is always finding a way to introduce people and build connections. Working with Steven is a blast because he excels at brainstorming and idea building. Thinking through concepts, content and action steps is an enjoyable conversation instead of a dull task." Micah Brown - Micah Brown Media (Winston-Salem, NC)
"I found Steven as one of the recommended web designers online. He is an amazing designer and a smart business man. Very prompt, professional, organized, efficient and easy to work with. He designed my original website and I just went back to him for a few updates. My site is my calling card and generates a lot of business for me, so it's essential that it look and function at its best. Steven really knocked it out of the park!" The Fix It Chick (Austin, Texas)
"I have enjoyed working with Steven !!! He is very knowledgeable about marketing. He made a positive impact in Winston Salem at the Center for Creative Economy." Allan Younger - Sr. Director of Programs at NCIDEA (Durham, NC)