ABOUT
Simple websites. Clear marketing. Comfortable Photography. Practical support for small businesses and nonprofits.
Hi, I’m Melissa.
I help small businesses and nonprofits get their marketing organized, visible, and working the way it should.
Some people come to me because they need a website. Others need help staying consistent with social media, email, and marketing content.
Many are just looking for someone practical to talk through ideas with and keep projects moving forward.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the platforms, tools, and advice out there, you’re not alone.
My goal is to simplify things so your business shows up clearly and confidently online.
Where This Work Started
You’re A Big Deal actually started as a partnership.
The original version of YABD after I met the Amy Fukuizumi.
We were total strangers brought together on panel discussion for visuals in branding by the Newmarket Business Association.
After the meeting, a couple of drinks, some French fries, and fried Oreos, we found ourselves hatching collaboration plans.
The work - and our lives - have evolved since those early days and taken us in different directions, but the YABD goal has stayed the same: helping good people show up online in ways that actually reflect who they are.
Every small business owner and nonprofit leader I meet is doing something important in their community.
My job is to help make sure the way they show up online reflects that.
The Photography Side of Things
Long before websites and marketing strategy became the focus, there was photography.
My other business, Melissa Koren Photography, is still very active.
For more than 20 years I’ve been photographing newborns, families, and elopements, helping people get comfortable in front of the camera and telling the story of who they are and how they fit into this world.
That experience ended up shaping the way I approach marketing work, too.
Good marketing isn’t about sounding polished or corporate. It’s about showing real people, real work, and real personality.
Sometimes that means building a better website. Sometimes it means creating a library of brand photos that actually look like you.
Often, it’s a little bit of both.
What It’s Like to Work Together
Most projects start with a conversation.
Maybe you need a new website.
Maybe your marketing feels scattered.
Maybe you know your business is great but it’s not showing up that way online yet.
We’ll talk through what’s working, what isn’t, and what would actually make things easier for you.
No complicated systems. No unnecessary tech. Just practical tools that help your business show up clearly and consistently.
Unbelievable experience! Empowering. Your content is absolute gold! I’m crying again, reading the about section on my website. You really listened. You hit the nail on the head with all the aesthetics and content. I definitely found the right company for launching my brands. I couldn’t be happier to be working with You’re A Big Deal!”
-Pete
Return Client
A Few Questions I Get A Lot
If you’re wondering how this all works, you’re probably not the only one.
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I help small businesses and nonprofits get their marketing organized and working the way it should.
That often includes building or refreshing websites, helping with marketing systems like email and social media, and creating brand photography that actually reflects who you are.
Some clients come to me for one specific project. Others want ongoing support to help keep things consistent.
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Not at all.
Most projects start with a conversation about what’s working, what isn’t, and what would actually make things easier for you.
Sometimes that leads to a website project. Sometimes it’s marketing support or brand photography. Sometimes it’s just untangling a system that has gotten a little messy.
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All websites are built in Squarespace.
It’s reliable, secure, and easy for clients to update after launch. My goal is always to create something that works well and that you can comfortably manage moving forward.
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No. A lot of my work is actually refreshing existing websites.
Sometimes a site just needs better structure, clearer messaging, or a design update rather than starting completely from scratch.
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Yes.
Some clients hire me for a single project.
Others continue with ongoing marketing support, such as social media planning, email newsletters, or general strategy.
Both approaches are completely normal.
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You’re not alone.
Most people feel that way at first. Brand photography sessions are designed to be relaxed and practical, not stiff or overly posed.
And yes, the photographer also prefers being behind the camera.
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I don’t have a dedicated studio space. Most brand photography works best in your real environment anyway, so we usually shoot at your business, workspace, or another location that reflects what you actually do.
I do have a portable backdrop setup that can be used indoors if needed.
If a full studio setting makes more sense for your project, there are several great studios locally that can be rented for an additional fee. I’m happy to help coordinate that if it’s the right fit.
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Absolutely.
Many of my clients are nonprofits and community organizations. The goal is the same: clear websites, organized marketing tools, and imagery that helps people understand the work you’re doing.
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Yes. Like many modern tools, AI can be helpful for research, outlining ideas, and organizing information.
But it’s only a tool.
Strategy, messaging, and the final work still come from real conversations and an understanding of your business.
AI can speed up parts of the process, but it doesn’t replace thoughtful marketing or creative work.
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Projects vary depending on scope. Websites typically range from $2,000–$4,000, brand photography from $400–$1,200, and ongoing marketing support is usually structured as a monthly retainer.
You can see more details in the services menu.
The best place to start is a quick conversation about what you’re trying to accomplish.
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The best projects tend to happen when people are excited about what they do and open to collaboration.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. But being willing to share ideas, provide feedback, and stay engaged in the process makes a huge difference.
The goal is always the same: create tools that genuinely help your business move forward.
Based in Exeter, New Hampshire
I work with small businesses and nonprofits across New Hampshire and New England, many of them right here on the Seacoast.
And I genuinely love this work. Getting to support local businesses, creative entrepreneurs, and organizations doing good things in their communities is a pretty great way to spend a career.