Tara Maylyn Frankel Leavitt
Web Designer / Developer + Digital Strategist / Founder of TMFL Studio
Jersey City, NJ
www.taramaylyn.com
instagram @tmfl.studio
pinterest
Q What do you do?
“I work with small (but mighty) brands to create personality-driven websites that turn customers into fans. I’m your go-to for making your corner of the internet feel uniquely you - from building websites that actually work for your business, to creating brand visuals that make people stop scrolling. Plus all the strategy bits in between that help you grow (without the corporate jargon, promise).”
I primarily create websites in Shopify and Squarespace, and do ongoing work with brands after launch for email marketing, e-commerce management, site optimization, and overall strategy.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
For about 15 years, I worked at agencies and in-house with tech, lifestyle, and hospitality brands refining the way they spoke to customers through digital, social, and press.
In 2023, I decided to take all that experience and work directly with people trying to get their businesses off the ground - mostly 1-2 person business owners with big ideas. I had loved coding from my days in college studying math and engineering, and revisited that as a student of the I Love Creatives Shopify + Squarespace courses to help bolster my skills. Then it was addicting, I kept challenging myself to learn and try new things and roped in some friends who were very willing experiments.
Now I feel so lucky to work with some incredible people to build their websites, updating their brands, and helping them grow.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
While I have my own creative style, what really sets me apart is my focus on bringing out each client's unique personality. No cookie-cutter templates here - every project is custom-built to tell your specific story.
Plus, I believe your website should grow with you. I build flexible systems that you can actually update yourself (because who wants to email their designer every time they need to change a photo?). The result? Beautiful websites that work as good as they look, making it easier for you to run your business and connect with customers
Q What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m in the middle of a few really fun projects including the development of a website for Cowgirl-themed apparel brand Wilder Made, updated branding and site for an intimacy coordinator, helping to launch a new botanical bath brand niteswim, and working with some ongoing clients like gluten-free bakery Knead Love and NYC holistic esthetician Amity Murray.
www.shopwildermade.com
www.amitymurray.com
www.kneadlovebakerynyc.com
Q What’s your style?
Personally, I love bold saturated colors paired with 70’s and 90’s vintage elements inspired by interiors and technology. The TMFL studio embodies this flavor best.
However, every client has their own taste and style, and I love trying on the different hats that appeal to them.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Web development. I love building something new and special for someone. Or creating little fun easter eggs for customers to discover.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Managing a business solo is always a challenge. It’s hard to create your own structure and stick to it.
But I do love working for myself. I think I’m the best boss I’ve had yet.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Social media management - I love working on my projects and client work, but self promotion and sharing my own work tend to often be the things left behind.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Just try it.
I once heard, if you aren’t embarrassed when you start, you started too late. I think our hesitation to try something and fail keeps us from growing. So few people are experts when they start out, but the longer you wait, the farther you are from growing to reach your own potential.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I love how psychology and analytics play into design. Learning more about this from an anthropological perspective – especially how we ingest and process information in analog and digital forms – is fascinating.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I want to work with brands run by 1-2 founders that need a stronger digital presence and identity to grow. I’m not specific to industries as my clients tend to be in fashion, wellness, food & beverage, hospitality, professional services + more.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I always love working with people who are open to collaboration. This means truly viewing working together as a conversation, not like ordering something from a catalog.
Q: What is your rate?
My current packages start around $7,000 for full Squarespace websites and branding and $10,000 for Shopify, but project pricing really depends on your needs and the complexity of your design or functionality.
I like to break projects into a 2-part process where we get to dive in really deep to determine exactly what is needed together, rather than me trying to solve for what someone thinks they need. After that process, I’m able to give a much clearer and specific project price.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Just give me a shout at t@taramaylyn.com or grab 20 minutes on my calendar to talk about what you have going on.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
A good friend, gorgeous human, talented photographer and writer Jess Tran and @jessglistening on instagram.
Vintage trailblazer, and sick, SICK stylist Emma Zack who is the founder of vintage + upcycled fashion brand Berriez @shopberriez and @ezaks
Another lovely web design and creative studio owner Courtney Buel who I recently started partnering with on some project. @buelcreative
Stunning artist and ultimate cool girl Alexa Guariglia. I've been obsessed with her work for such a long time it really hits the sweet spot stunning, rich color, femininity and shape that I adore in design. @neglexa
In the know gallerist Meredith Bayse of Moskowitz Bayse @moskowitzbayse, an LA-based gallery. Not only is she a lifelong friend, but an incredibly talented curator of art and people. Plus - her own ceramics are quite spectacular.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
My mantra: “What if it all works out?”
This member profile was originally published in January 2025.