We recently connected with Esther Chase and have shared our conversation below.

Esther, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The logo and website design for Church of Saint Francis in Villa Park, Illinois was a truly meaningful endeavor.

At the time, I had been working on digital marketing for a lifestyle boutique’s ecommerce platform, but I also became interested in taking on work that would resonate with my spirituality and other aspects of who I am. As an answer to a prayer, I was referred to the Church project by one of their members whom I had met years before while networking with outreach librarians in the western suburbs of Chicago.

A committee was formed and our work began. Milestones in the process included evaluating their current website, researching content on their national website, gathering feedback on their mission and vision, presenting a design board with iterations for dialogue, providing a website wireframe design to give their ideas some shape, creating new content, and the finalized logo design and website development. The designs thoughtfully reflect their traditional liturgy as well as their openness to intellectual and religious freedom. The project took less than a month to complete and the website is still live today (https://churchofsaintfrancis.org). The success of this work actually led to more marketing opportunities with a member of the project committee.

This transformational work showed me how much I could enjoy collaborating with a team of dedicated members on faith-based digital marketing. Today, I actively seek opportunities to support clients who have similar values, especially when it comes to spirituality, nature, and the environment. This project and more have helped me feel satisfied and confident that I’m on the best path for my interests.

Esther, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been fascinated by digital design since college, when I created my first websites with HTML. My skills have evolved into the greater realm of digital marketing, including brand development, email marketing, social media management, search engine optimization, storytelling photography, and website design.

Chase Digital Solutions is a marketing company I started in 2015. What began as a side gig helping friends with website design has grown into a business that now serves clients across the country. In today’s fast-paced digital world, purpose-driven work can be lost in the scroll. We help creatives, entrepreneurs, and organizations bring their vision to life through evergreen design and strategic storytelling. With a blend of creativity and mindfulness, we collaborate with clients to turn good marketing ideas into action and an array of efforts into cohesive strategies that inspire growth, funding, and meaningful impact.

What sets us apart is our commitment to conscious capitalism. We believe good design should help a business grow while staying aligned with values like sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical practices. I especially love working with women-led, purpose-driven brands including artists, freelancers, nonprofits, and startups who are creating positive change.

I’m most proud of building a business that reflects my values while helping others flourish in the process. At the end of the day, I want people to know that when they work with us, they’ll get more than a website. They’ll get a partner who cares and continues to support their cause long after the work is done.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Learning in one area of life radiates outward in all that we do. I believe that what we read and watch ends up shaping every part of who we are.

A few books have really resonated with me on business and leadership. “Do the Work” by Steven Pressfield taught me how to recognize resistance and keep going. Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” nudged me to ponder how I wanted my career to look as a woman in leadership. Susan Cain’s “Quiet” reminded me that introversion isn’t a limitation; it’s often a superpower in creativity and business.

More recently, Hailey Evans’ “EPIC Impact” resonated with me because it’s about turning a message into a movement. That’s the sweet spot of my work—helping people translate vision into action. Plus, there are the practical gems like “Inside the Box” (Drew Boyd and Jacob Goldenberg) for systematic creativity and “Content Marketing for Nonprofits” (Kivi Leroux Miller) for building trust and loyalty through authentic communication.

Each of these books have challenged me to step back, rethink, and realign with my values. They’re reminders that entrepreneurship isn’t just about growth metrics, and creating a life can feel both sustainable and meaningful.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Fifteen years before I began my business, I was a poor college student who worked to pay my rent while going to school. My mom bought my groceries whenever money was tight. That being said, art supplies were a luxury I simply couldn’t afford. What saved me was the internet. Before “cloud-based” was even a phrase, I started using HTML to make college projects as web pages and I emailed the links to my professors. I realized I didn’t need canvases or paper. I just needed a computer and a lot of curiosity underscored by a due date.

That’s how I fell in love with digital art and design. It was accessible in a way that traditional mediums weren’t, and it gave me the freedom to explore my creativity without a big upfront cost. Over time, that scrappy, DIY beginning grew into real skills, and eventually into Chase Digital Solutions. My business was funded not by capital, but by resourcefulness, persistence, and the belief that creative problem solving doesn’t require perfect circumstances.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chasedigitalsolutions.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherchase
• Other: https://www.alignable.com/los-angeles-ca/chase-digital-solutions

Image Credits

Color photos of Esther: Roxanne Turpen
Black and white photos of Esther: Alta Photography
Website screenshots: designed by Esther Chase