E-commerce Strategies for Intentional Growth

As a creative entrepreneur with over a decade of experience building product and service oriented brands, my goal is to develop e-commerce strategies tailored to your unique needs, ensuring your business has a strong foundation to thrive.

Cerena's Calma organic CBD oil basking in the sun.
Tatiana holding Cerena's flight of sublingual CBD.
Cerena's Nocturno organic CBD oil to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
A dropper full of Cerena's organic CBD oil.
Cerena's Alivio and Remedio salve kit.
Cerena's Calma organic CBD oil basking in the sun.
Cerena's organic CBD oil in glass vials.
Cerena's Alinea fragrance roll-on with a beautiful pink flower.
Cerena's artisanal wild vetiver smudge.
Cerena's Alivio sublingual CBD and CBG.
Cerena's organic CBD oil in glass vials.
Cerena's Alinea fragrance roll-on with a beautiful pink flower.

Trusted by Innovative & Customer Focused Brands

Owner (Chris Cates) waving hello.

Hi, I'm Chris! I'm Passionate About Creating Better Customer Experiences & Increasing Profits

In today's competitive market, creating engaging experiences focused on what your customer needs is key to building a successful brand. Why? Because when customers feel understood and valued, they become loyal advocates. I specialize in developing strategies that put your customers at the heart of your brand’s story, ensuring every stage of their journey is tailored to create a better experience and drive more profits.

Want a free consultation? Schedule a Discovery Call and let's discuss your situation. At the very least you'll gain valuable insights and actionable advice.

I deliver projects quickly without ever sacrificing quality. Compared to typical agencies or freelancers, I genuinely care about the work I do for each client which helps becomes the fuel for my hustle.
My attention to detail is Top Gun level. I care so much about the pixel perfection of design that I'm practically OCD about it.
I care a lot about the success of your business and the project(s) we collaborate on together.
I am organized and transparent with with every project. I'm happy to educate where it makes sense and provide as much information necessary to help you succeed.
01

Website Design

Website Design

Website Design

Responsive Website Design & Development: Crafting stunning, user-friendly Shopify, Webflow, and Squarespace websites optimized for all devices. From concept to launch, ensure your site embodies your brand and speaks directly to your audience's needs.

User Experience (UX) Optimization: Enhancing site navigation, load times, and content layout to improve the overall user experience, encouraging longer visits and higher conversion rates.

05

Customer Acquisition

Customer Acquisition

Customer Acquisition

Organic SEO & Content Marketing: Crafting and implementing SEO strategies that enhance your visibility on search engines paired with blog content that establishes authority and engages your target audience.

Paid Customer Acquisition: I offer strategic planning, engaging ad creatives, compelling copy, effective landing pages, and broad conversion and retention strategies to attract, convert, and retain customers efficiently.

02

Email Marketing

Email Marketing

Email & Customer Retention

Tailored Email & SMS Marketing: Develop and execute email and SMS marketing strategies with various CRM software particularly Klaviyo that engage, retain, and convert your audience, from newsletter content to targeted messages.

Automation & Segmentation: Setting up complex automation flows and segmenting your audience allows us to send targeted, personalized messages at scale. This approach drives relevance, customer actions, and significantly boosts your profits by enhancing engagement and conversions.

06

General Consultancy

General Consultancy

General Consultancy

Business Strategy & Growth Planning: Offering strategic advice to identify growth opportunities, optimize operations, and scale your business effectively.

Market Analysis & Competitive Research: Conducting thorough market research and competitive analysis to inform strategic decisions and identify unique positioning opportunities.

★★★★★
"We began as a bare bones startup and with design and direction from ode.to, we were able to quickly up-level our business. Chris's knowledge runs deep but he's able to simplify the complex world of e-commerce and create manageable tasks to move forward. We highly recommend working with him."
TU•ET•AL - Handmade soap from The Catskill Mountains.

Matthew & Natalie Kanbergs

Owners

Cerena's organic sublingual CBD to help you shift from one state of being to another.
Case Study

Redefining Luxury in Hemp

Facing the untamed market landscape head-on, Cerena developed one of the first trusted, certified organic supply chains and introduced pioneering products that elevated the customer experience. This case study is a personal recount of overcoming significant challenges, from regulatory hurdles to operational complexities, and highlights the skills and insights gained along the way.

The Bloom Method trainer Brooke Cates stretching before a filmed prenatal and postpartum workout session.
Case Study

Growing Strong with The Bloom Method

Explore the journey of The Bloom Method's transformation, focusing on operational excellence and sustainable growth. Through strategic omnichannel development, process optimization, and financial acumen, we achieved enhanced customer engagement, improved efficiency, and financial health.

TU•ET•AL's Archangel Bar of Soap.
Case Study

Saponifying TU·ET·AL's Digital Presence

TU•ET•AL’s online presence was revamped through a targeted Shopify redesign and a strategic Klaviyo email marketing setup. We kept the scope of work focused on enhancing the user experience and aligning digital touchpoints with the brand's ethos of sustainability and artisanal quality.

★★★★★
"Chris joined The Bloom Method team to help with our email strategy and after a few months we offered him the role of COO. From design, marketing, customer experience, to financial acumen Chris strengthened our foundation and improved our business."
The Bloom Method - On-demand Pre and Postnatal Fitness Program

Brooke Cates

Owner

★★★★★
Chris was an absolute dream to work with. He totally got me and my brand and created a website that was aesthetically pleasing and functional. He had ideas that I hadn't even thought of and implemented them seamlessly. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to build or improve their website.
Folk Refillery & Supply - Kingston, New York's premium zero-waste grocery store.

Leah Watkins

Owner

★★★★★
"Chris's ability to walk the line of a CEO, client and human being is admirable to say the least. Chris always expressed sincere gratitude to whomever he employed which makes working for him that much more enjoyable. If you have the opportunity to work with Chris, I highly recommend you take advantage of the opportunity."
Ren Costantini (SEO Marketer)

Ren Costantini

SEO Marketing Expert

★★★★★
The beauty of collaborating with Chris is that he approaches all work, regardless of scope and budget, with the same amount of thoughtfulness, passion, and expertise. Chris was able to bring a level of knowledge & hands-on skill that helped us (and our client) dramatically enhance a major portion of their marketing operation.
Specialized Logo

Joseph Clinton

Creative Director

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you're mapping out the first steps of your brand journey or looking to implement detailed marketing strategies, I'm here to help.

How do I start working with you?

The process kicks off with a discovery call to understand your needs. If we're a good fit, I'll send a proposal with a detailed scope of work included, followed by package selection and contract signing.

Then, after you complete a brand questionnaire and grant channel access, we'll have a kickoff call to confirm tasks before I dive into the project.

How do you tailor strategies to fit different brands?

Each strategy is built from the ground up based on your brand’s unique goals, audience, and market position. The brand questionnaire and initial conversations are crucial for crafting a personalized approach that aligns with your specific needs.

Can you handle both design and marketing for my brand?

Absolutely! I offer comprehensive services that cover both design and marketing, ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach that amplifies your brand’s presence and engagement across all channels. If I ever need outside help on something, you'll know about it.

How do you measure the success of your projects?

Success metrics are defined early in the collaboration, tailored to your specific goals—whether that’s increasing brand awareness, driving sales, or enhancing customer engagement. I use a mix of analytics and qualitative feedback to gauge project success.

What’s your policy on revisions and feedback?

Your satisfaction is paramount. I welcome feedback at any stage of the project and include revision cycles within the scope to ensure the final deliverables perfectly align with your vision.

What kind of support can I expect during a project?

You'll receive regular updates and direct communication throughout our collaboration. I’m committed to transparency and am always available for questions or adjustments as needed to ensure the project aligns perfectly with your needs.

How long does a typical project with you last?

Project timelines vary based on scope and complexity but are clearly outlined in the proposal phase. Whether it’s a quick turnaround or a long-term engagement, timelines are set to meet your goals without compromising quality.

What sets you apart from other freelancers and agencies?

My edge comes from firsthand experience as an e-commerce brand owner and COO, blending creative design with strategic marketing from an insider’s perspective. This unique blend allows me to navigate both the big-picture and minute details of brand building and operational scaling.

I offer solutions that deeply resonate with brands, ensuring your potential is fully unlocked and exceeded, not just met.

What happens if we need to pivot our strategy mid-project?

Flexibility is key in marketing and design. If a pivot is necessary, we’ll assess the new direction together and adjust our approach accordingly, ensuring the project remains aligned with your objectives and market dynamics.

What if I'm worried my budget is too small to work with you?

I understand that budget concerns are a real part of embarking on any new project, especially for entrepreneurs passionate about bringing their dreams to life. My primary goal is to help you achieve those dreams. That's why I encourage you to take advantage of the discovery call. It’s not just about numbers; it's a chance for us to connect, discuss your business, and explore how I can help you. Based on our conversation, I can tailor a proposal with a scope of work (SOW) that aligns with your needs and budget.

Send Me a Message, I Promise I Don't Bite

We'll schedule a discovery call and discuss your situation. At the very least you'll gain valuable insights and actionable advice.

Thank you for your message. I'll take a look at everything you sent over and get back to you shortly.
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Just as daylight is for action and growth, and night is for rest and integration, I ask myself about the intention and purpose behind each of my decisions.