We were lucky to catch up with Amelia Szymanek recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amelia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Reflecting back, I think I started my business at exactly the right time. I’ve always had the dream of owning a business, but I wasn’t sure what kind. I knew I loved creating and connecting with people, but it wasn’t until my daughter was born that I got the final push to make it happen in my own way.

It was hard returning back to work after maternity leave. I realized I wanted to be home with her but I still had the itch to be working and creating. My first thought was launching a holistic wellness Instagram page, @starspangledwellness. I was interested in becomming a holistic wellness coach for moms. At the time, I didn’t know if that would turn into a business, but my husband gave me the best advice: “Just start. Show up every day. Engage. Build a community.” That’s when the idea of consistent daily effort started to resonate with me.

As my community was growing, I noticed small business owners in my network struggling with unreliable website designers and digital marketers. I had the skills to help, and I wanted to offer something different—something trustworthy, creative, and personalized. Keeping the human connection alive in this digital world. My first client was a friend I had met in San Antonio, back in 2017, when I was just starting with the Air Force Band of the West. It felt like a full-circle moment, a sign that I was on the right path. I’m always keeping an eye out for the signs.

Now, as I prepare to welcome our second baby—our baby boy!—I couldn’t be more thankful that I took the leap when I did. I knew I needed a flexible business for myself as a mom of a growing family, and building Ameliorate and Create has given me that. It allows me to be present for my family while also pursuing work that fulfills me. That balance is something I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who don’t know me, my name is Amelia, and I’m the founder of Ameliorate and Create, a digital design and marketing studio. I take a holistic approach to help small business owners tell their digital story.

My background is a little unconventional. I started my career after finishing my bachelor’s in music education as a singer in the U.S. Air Force regional bands, traveling from town to town, meeting incredible people, and connecting with them through music. That experience reinforced how much I love meeting people where they are and helping tell their stories.

Later, my husband (a fellow Air Force musician, aka my favorite trumpet player ever) and I transitioned out of active duty and into software development, completing a three month-long intensive coding bootcamp together (devCodeCamp). I landed a role as a front-end developer, which expanded into website strategy, analytics, and marketing. That job gave me the technical skills and client experience that now fuel my business.

What sets Ameliorate and Create apart is my approach—I don’t just build a website and walk away. That is most definitely not me. I take a holistic view, ensuring my clients’ branding, marketing, and SEO all work together. I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built; many of my clients return for ongoing marketing support or refer others my way. That trust means everything to me and I am grateful for it every day.

I’m especially grateful for the flexibility this business gives me. As I prepare to welcome our second baby, I know that I can be there for my family and continue growing my business in a way that works for me. It’s proof that taking that first step—even when things aren’t completely clear—can lead to something truly life-changing.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the biggest tests of resilience for me was making a career change right as the world shut down. I finished my coding bootcamp in January 2020. Then COVID hit. Job opportunities were tough to come by. I didn’t get an offer until April 2020—an internship, not even a full-time job—but I was so excited and took it.

I worked hard, adapted, and was determined to turn that opportunity into a full-time role where I grew my skillset in front-end development, website audits, email marketing, data analytics, and digital strategy. And when I finally branched out on my own, I relied on that same mentality: consistent daily effort.

When I first launched my business, I showed up every single day. I posted Instagram stories called Coffee and Codes. It gave me a chance to chat about my work while holding my coffee (sometimes with my baby in my lap!). I made sure to tell those who were listening that they were really serving as my accountability partners. That consistent daily effort built momentum, leading to referrals, new clients, and eventually, a thriving studio.

I’d be lying if I said there weren’t any moments of doubt. But resilience isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment or the stars aligning just so—it’s about moving forward, one step at a time. And now, as I prepare for the next season of life—becoming a mom of two—I know that same mindset will carry me through.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Reliability and consistency. I’ve seen so many small business owners struggle to find a web designer or marketer who follows through. My goal is to be someone they can trust—someone who not only delivers great work but also makes the process easy and enjoyable. This is my own special way of keeping the human connection alive and well.

Also, I genuinely care about my clients’ success. I don’t just build a website and move on—I help them refine their branding, optimize their SEO, and create marketing strategies that work for them long-term. I exist to make their lives a little less stressful.

That’s why consistent daily effort is my mantra. Showing up, doing the work, and building relationships—that’s what has grown my reputation and my business. And now, as my family grows, that same principle applies to both my business and my life. Small, daily efforts lead to big, lasting change.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ameliorateandcreate.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameliorateandcreate
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553102281637

Image Credits

Image credits for personal photo (holding phone wearing blazer) and branding photo (business cards) Erika Dely, owner of Luved Photography