Cass Aggett
Q What do you do?
“I’m a Squarespace web designer for go-getting women (no matter where you’re at in business).”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I started my business as a creative virtual assistant after realizing my brain is pretty much wired to help go-getting women. After a few VA clients requested help with their Squarespace website, I thought to myself, this platform is amazing - and so I decided to learn more and joined the I Love Creatives Squarespace course, which was my first foray back into coding after doing it in my early teens on GurlPages, GeoCities and MySpace. I very quickly decided Squarespace web design is what I wanted to focus on, so I've been all in since then!
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I have an offer for women at every stage of business, from entry-level DIY through to semi-custom and custom done-for-you web design options, ad-hoc updates through Squarespace Refresh Days, and regular maintenance.
I simplify everything as much as I can, because even if my clients do love tech, they don't need to spend the time learning new systems while managing their business just to get their website sorted.
Plus I haven't seen any other roller-skating web designers yet... but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for the competition 👀
Q What are you working on right now?
I've designed a website mockup for a not-for-profit that helps women impacted by domestic family violence get back into or support at work - just got feedback, and the only request was to change one colour behind a logo - score!
I've just done a website audit and am now in the research phase for a business that provides education and support for neurodiverse and autistic children so we can overhaul their current website.
I'm also trying to wrap up a semi-custom website that's gone about 8 weeks over the 2 week timeframe because my lovely client must have misinterpreted the phrase 'Yes I have all of my copy ready to go'... so we got 80% of the way and have stalled.
Q What’s your style?
Definitely not corporate, but also not super flashy. I love simple designs, but at the same time love to use colour - so some sites will be quite subdued depending on the branding, and others will be super out there (like the not-for-profit I'm currently working on because they have amazing brand guidelines - a dream!)
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I think I'm now happy where I am! Until 18 months ago I was a career public servant, now I get to be creative all day (around the emails and admin, anyway)
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Not being able to help a client with some of the bigger-than-the-website questions, meaning we can't progress with the next steps of the website until they do a bit more research and soul-searching without me.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Manage leads - create / send proposals, follow up non-responses, prepare onboarding etc.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Put money aside earlier as a backup and leave the damn corporate job - you can always get another one if you need to.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Managing projects / clients in the most efficient way and how to scale sustainably
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Custom web design for women who are passionate about doing good in the world. Women's health, alternative medicine, and women who give the flick to the status quo, regardless of industry.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Someone with an established business that knows what works for them, has got a solid offer suite and knows their ideal clients and brand back-to-front, who sees the value in investing in brand photography and copywriting before engaging a web designer so they can really make the most out of the project.
Q What is your rate?
Semi-custom websites typically start from $2900 AUD, and custom websites from $3900 AUD, however each project will be quoted individually depending on number of pages, complexity of design and if any advanced functionality is required.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
First step is to either submit an enquiry at www.willful.studio/contact or book a call at willful.studio/call. I'd love the intro to include a rough idea of what they're after (semi-custom or custom design, etc) and potentially a budget - though I do list started from prices on my service pages to help people see if I might be the right fit 😊
(Always love a funny gif or meme but not mandatory...)
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Sam Rankin at Copy Circle, the genius behind most of my website copy @copycircle
Olivia Muir, brand strategy genius that kicked my butt in 2023 to get clear on my brand strategy before I rebranded in Oct 2023 @oliviamuir.au
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Two words (and an emoji): Roller skating! 🛼
This member profile was originally published in December 2023