Hi, I’m Lisa — and if you’ve found your way here, I want to share a little bit about how JoLi Design Solutions came to life.
From classroom teacher to business owner
I started out as a classroom teacher. I loved connecting with students, seeing the light bulb moments, and finding creative ways to make learning click. Teaching taught me patience, creativity, and how to take something complicated and break it down into simple steps.
When I stepped out of the classroom in 2010, I didn’t leave education entirely. I moved into teacher training with an educational technology company, where I discovered how much I enjoyed helping other teachers integrate new tools into their classrooms.
That role sparked my curiosity about tech, systems, and how the right tools can make work easier and more impactful.
The coaching and consulting years
From there, I launched my own business — Williams K12 Consulting — where I traveled the country training teachers. Running my own consulting business was a crash course in marketing, web design, business organization, and processes.
Every flyer I designed, every website I tweaked, every system I set up to keep myself organized — all of it sharpened skills I didn’t yet know would become the foundation for my next chapter.
In 2015, I shifted again and started a coaching business. I worked with people one-on-one, guiding them through personal and professional growth. And while I loved the coaching, what really lit me up was the behind-the-scenes tech: building websites, setting up automations, and figuring out how to make business operations run more smoothly.
Looking back, those years were where I truly honed the technical and creative skills that now fuel JoLi Design Solutions.
A turning point in 2019
Then, in January 2019, my life took a heartbreaking turn. My mom, JoAnn, passed away unexpectedly. She was my biggest supporter. Losing her turned my world upside down. Literally. I was kicked in the gut and wondered how I was going to regain my composure and live my life.
But just a few months later, in April 2019, I knew I wanted to build something new. Something that honored her while allowing me to pour everything I had learned into helping others. That’s how JoLi Design Solutions was born:
- “Jo” for my mom, JoAnn.
- “Li” for me, Lisa.
A piece of both of us, stitched together into something bigger than myself.
Building JoLi together
What began as me designing websites quickly became more than a solo venture. By 2020, my husband Steve officially joined me, and together we’ve built JoLi into a true husband-and-wife team.
Steve brings his own unique expertise to the table. At JoLi, he’s the technical backbone — handling servers, website maintenance, security, and updates that keep our clients’ websites running smoothly behind the scenes.
While I focus on strategy, design, and client experience, Steve ensures that everything is rock solid and worry-free on the technical side.
Together, we make a pretty awesome team! We bring this magical mix of creative design, smart strategy, and tech wizardry that not only gives you a website that looks amazing but also works flawlessly behind the scenes. It’s like getting the beauty and the brains all in one package!
Life outside of work
And when we’re not working? Well, you’ll catch me binge-watching Friends for the millionth time (yep, I can practically recite Rachel’s lines by now!), while Steve’s either glued to cooking shows or savoring his coffee with that contented smile on his face.
We’re big fans of those simple joys – strolling through nature, cheering (sometimes desperately) for our Detroit Lions, and soaking up family time whenever we can. Life gets crazy busy, but we’re firm believers that making room for belly laughs, heartfelt connections, and a dash of fun is what keeps us human along the way.
Where are we now?
These days, we pour our hearts into helping coaches, consultants, and service-based entrepreneurs create online homes that feel genuinely “them.” See, we don’t just slap together pretty websites. We craft digital spaces that tell your story, showcase your brilliance, and connect deeply with the people you’re meant to serve.
Looking back, it’s kind of amazing how everything – from my teaching days to Steve’s IT expertise – was preparing us for this journey all along. And while JoLi was born from heartbreak, it’s blossomed into something filled with resilience, creativity, and so much love.
I know in my heart that Mom is smiling down on every project we create, proud of the legacy that carries her spirit forward.
If you’d like to see how we can bring your vision to life, you can explore more here
Our Web Design Solutions
