Aloha! I’m Maria, a web designer and developer based on Maui. I built my first website as a preteen on dial-up internet and somehow turned that early fascination into a career. Today, I create thoughtful websites for independent founders, e-commerce brands, and nonprofits in Hawai‘i and beyond.
About Maria
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When I first clicked away on the internet in a small town in Eastern Germany, I never imagined a career in web design, let alone doing it from Hawai‘i. Following my early dream of working near the ocean, I graduated with a degree in Business & Tourism and worked in hospitality in Germany and southern Turkey. With a growing interest in marketing and advertising, I went on to work in Berlin’s agency scene and in various marketing roles for global brands.
In 2013, life led me to Maui, where I continued working in digital marketing before turning my focus toward supporting local businesses. Inspired to make a positive impact in my community, I started shifting from corporate to freelance work in 2018 and used the unexpected downtime during the pandemic to deepen my coding and design skills.
Since then, I have built lasting partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and fellow creatives, many of whom share a common thread: a desire to create something meaningful, support local, and give back to the people and the land they’re connected to.
In a sea of generic templates and generative AI, I believe that true connection is sparked by authentic design. I come to every project with a well-rounded, strategic perspective, leading with empathy, nuance, and intention—creating websites that reflect not just a brand, but the values behind it.
capabilities
Web Design
Web Development
Shopify E-commerce
UX/UI
Website Strategy
Onsite SEO & AI Visibility
Website Maintenance
Site Migration
Technical Support
Consultation & Training
INFO
I occasionally collaborate with fellow designers and agencies on web development projects. I also founded Studio Beni, a design studio specializing in Shopify solutions for e-commerce founders.
Affiliations: Squarespace Circle Gold Partner / Shopify Partner / Standout Squarespace / Standout Shopify / ilovecreatives
what inspires me
community
because meaningful work is rarely created in isolation. My community constantly inspires me to ask better questions and look beyond my own perspective.
outdoors
because good ideas need room to breathe, and the best ones often come when you stop looking for them in front of a screen.
my oma
because I haven’t had a better role model for curiosity, resilience, positivity, integrity, and a diligent work ethic than my grandma.
Discovery
because there’s always something to stay curious about. I’m always learning, testing, and exploring what’s next (and I’ll gladly take every chance to nerd out).
people
because I’m naturally curious about humans: what we’re drawn to, what we talk about, what excites us, and what makes us stop scrolling.
nostalgia
because the past has so much to teach us. Not only do I find endless inspiration in pop culture, I’m also still very attached to my AOL email address from ‘98.
what inspires me
nostalgia
because the past has so much to teach us. Not only do I find endless inspiration in pop culture, I’m also still attached to my AOL email address from ‘98.
community
because meaningful work is rarely created in isolation. My community constantly inspires me to ask better questions and look beyond my own perspective.
outdoors
because good ideas need room to breathe, and the best ones often come when you stop looking for them in front of a screen.
my oma
because I haven’t had a better role model for curiosity, resilience, positivity, integrity, and a diligent work ethic than my grandma.
Discovery
because there’s always something to be curious about. I’m always learning, testing, and exploring what’s next (and I’ll gladly take every chance to nerd out).
people
because I’m naturally curious about humans: what we’re drawn to, what we talk about, what excites us, and what makes us stop scrolling.
let’s work together
If you’re looking to start a project or collaborate, please reach out (yes, now is a good time).
