From Freelance to Founder: Nicole Hanusek on Building Smack Happy Design

What does it take to turn a one-woman freelancing gig into a thriving web design and marketing agency?

In this episode of Insights and Action with Orange 142, Smack Happy Design’s Founder, Nicole Hanusek, shares her 27-year journey in the website world—from hand-coding HTML in the ’90s to leading a culture-driven team today.

Nicole opens up about learning to love leadership, the importance of hiring with values, why “under-promise, over-deliver” still matters, and how to make websites more than just digital brochures. Tune in for real-world lessons on growth, culture, and creating websites that feel like you.

Insights in Action is a short-form, 15-20 minute podcast where Orange 142 dives deep with agency leaders to uncover their journey, their insights on marketing, and what drives their success.