We were lucky to catch up with Lizzy Moffett recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lizzy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Leaving teaching was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken, and honestly, the hardest part wasn’t financial. It was identity. My whole sense of self was wrapped up in being a teacher. I worried people would see me as selfish for stepping away from the classroom, as if serving children was the only way I could make an impact.

When my husband’s job required us to relocate, I applied for a teaching position in our new city. I was offered the job, but they were only going to credit me for two-thirds of the years I had actually taught. Unfortunately, that’s commonplace in education, but it still hit me as deeply unfair. In that moment I realized two things: first, that I could serve my community in ways beyond the classroom, and second, that I needed to start advocating for myself as strongly as I advocated for my students.

That choice was a risk. I was walking away from the career that defined me, into something new and uncertain. But it taught me one of the most important lessons of entrepreneurship: teaching doesn’t only happen in a classroom. Today, I still get to teach every day, only now it’s through guiding business owners, giving them clarity, and helping them find the confidence to step forward.

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

I actually built my very first website in college when I co-founded a performing arts camp. We were proud of what we were creating, but nobody knew we existed. So, I taught myself how to build a site. Suddenly the camp looked legit, parents could enroll online, and it completely changed everything. That’s when I realized something that still drives me today: websites aren’t just “pretty,” they’re emotional. They’re tools that make big ideas real.

Even while I was teaching, I kept building websites on the side. I guarantee I had the most robust elementary music teacher website in the district! For me, websites were always about clarity, connection, and making life easier, not just decoration. So when we relocated and I had to start over professionally anyway, I knew it was time to give this “hobby” that had brought me so much joy a real shot.

Today, I run Lizzy Moffett Designs, where I specialize in custom Two-Day Website Builds and ongoing partnership through my Partner Plan. My teacher background shapes everything I do. I bring empathy, the ability to explain complex ideas in plain language, and processes that are organized and efficient.

And honestly, if you want someone who is patient, strategic, and laser-focused on helping you succeed, my advice is simple: hire a former teacher.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

In the beginning, my side hustle was mostly making websites for friends and family. Any time I heard someone say, “We don’t have a site, so we’re not legit,” I couldn’t help but step in.

My first paying project was a classic rookie moment. I let imposter syndrome set my prices and charged only $250 for a full website. At the time it felt huge, but looking back, I realize how much I undervalued myself. Honestly, I’m still grateful for that client and for everything I learned building that site. It gave me real-world experience and the confidence to take on more.

From there, each project became a stepping stone. I learned to charge my worth, to package my services in a way that made sense, and to build systems that kept projects organized. Mentors like my finance coach helped me understand my numbers so I could make smart decisions instead of emotional ones. Those lessons were key in helping me scale from “doing a favor” for friends to running a profitable business.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think a lot of non-creatives assume building a website is just placing words and photos on the screen with some nice colors. The truth is, there’s so much more going on behind the scenes. A good website is about designing a user journey, making sure the site is easy for the client to update, optimizing for SEO, and weaving in the client’s goals, dreams, and personality. It’s about clear messaging, skimmable layouts, and building trust with visitors… all at the same time.

The funny thing is, the better I do my job, the less work it looks like it took. A truly great website should feel natural, like it was always supposed to be that way. That’s the invisible part of creativity people don’t always see: it’s not just making something look good, it’s making it work beautifully without calling attention to the effort behind it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lizzymoffettdesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzymoffett29
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086560119941
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-moffett-m-ed-1a227b30

Image Credits

Samantha Markey