Life & Work with Michelle Prather of Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Prather.

Hi Michelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey started back in the early 2000s when MySpace was taking off. I taught myself HTML and CSS so I could customize my profile, and before long, I was helping friends with theirs—and even charging a little for it. If you told 14-year-old me that this would eventually become my career, I wouldn’t have believed it.

In high school, I discovered a love for photography, especially the darkroom process. But once I got to college, I realized the future was digital, so I shifted my focus to photography and graphic design. That path ultimately led me to art school, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Web Design & Interactive Media.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey hasn’t been without challenges. Just a week before classes were supposed to start, my admission to a Cal State school was rescinded. I then enrolled at The Art Institute, only to find that the program I signed up for was canceled on my first day. Originally, I was considering graphic design and photography, but I ended up in Web Design & Interactive Media—a program described as “graphic design on steroids.”

When I arrived, I quickly learned that the program I’d enrolled in technically no longer existed. The new curriculum wasn’t fully in place yet, so I had to get special permission from the Dean to stay in a “teach-out” version of the program. Because The Art Institute was a for-profit school, some of my required classes ended up being just “open lab” sessions with only one or two other students—but I still had to pay the full tuition.

On top of that, I was dealing with undiagnosed ADHD, which often made me feel like I was falling behind, even though I was consistently ranked in the top three students in my major. Despite these obstacles, I kept pushing forward. In 2014, after three years at The Art Institute and nearly ten years total of working toward my degree, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Web Design & Interactive Media.

It’s the accomplishment I’m most proud of, not just because of the degree itself, but because of what it took to get there. I worked two to three service industry jobs at a time to support myself, sacrificing any real “life” outside of work and school. The experience taught me perseverance, resourcefulness, and an ability to adapt—qualities I’ve carried with me into every chapter of my career since.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Michelle Prather Design, I create impactful online experiences that help businesses stand out and succeed. I blend modern design with smart digital marketing strategies to craft websites that are both visually striking and user-friendly, while also building campaigns that truly connect with audiences. My focus is on helping brands not just show up online, but thrive in a constantly evolving digital landscape.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’ve always had a creative spark, even as a kid. I spent summers at my grandmother’s house drawing and painting, and she’s also the one who first inspired my love for photography. I still keep a photo I took on an 8th grade trip to Disneyland—a swan surrounded by vibrant flowers—because when I showed it to her, she told me I had a natural eye. That moment really lit the spark for my passion in photography.

In high school, MySpace was taking off, and I became fascinated with HTML and CSS while customizing my profile. Soon, I was building pages for friends and even charging for it. Looking back, that was the unofficial start of Michelle Prather Design, though it wouldn’t fully come to life until college. At Long Beach City College, I dove deeper into design through formal classes, while also continuing to explore photography through coursework.

Pricing:

• Basic Website – starting at $1500
• E-commerce Website – starting at $3500
• Search Engine Optimization – starting at $250/month
• Email Marketing Services – starting at $250/month
• Social Media Services – starting at $250/month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Michellepratherdesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellepratherdesign
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556692088786&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Leah Klinge