Two founders.
One real playbook.
We didn’t study this in a classroom. We built a business — survived COVID, scaled to farmers markets across Chicago, and figured it all out the hard way. Now we help you skip the hard part.
Our story
We’ve been where you are.
It started with Moody Teas — our own small-batch loose-leaf tea brand we built from scratch in Chicago. Farmers markets, pop-ups, an ecommerce store, a production kitchen. We dove headfirst into branding, web design, and marketing and quickly discovered how genuinely hard it is to build an effective online presence, whether you’re just starting or a long-time owner.
After successfully building Moody Teas from the ground up, we kept getting the same question from other founders: “How did you do all of this?” That’s why we launched Prickly Pear Consulting — a web design and marketing firm dedicated to sustainable, results-driven growth for small businesses. With the personal touch and deep understanding that only comes from having been in your shoes.
“From endless design decisions to figuring out how to get our brand noticed, we learned firsthand what it takes to bring a business to life — and keep it growing.“
Why “Prickly Pear”?
Much like the prickly pear cactus, entrepreneurship often requires a willingness to endure the hard and exhausting work that goes into building a thriving business. It’s not always easy — but with resilience and care, those efforts bloom into the sweet fruits of success. We’re here to help you along that journey, guiding you through each phase with support, insight, and a commitment to seeing you succeed.
Meet the team
The people behind the work.
With a diverse background in web design, John has crafted websites for everyone from lawyers and non-profits to catering companies and consumer product brands. Known for creating visually captivating and highly functional sites, John believes in building online spaces that reflect the heart of a business — and the systems that keep it running. They bring years of expertise and a genuine passion for helping brands stand out.
Nora is a seasoned branding and content specialist who helps brands define their unique value, voice, and aesthetic. From high-level strategy to day-to-day content creation, Nora ensures that a brand’s identity shines through at every touchpoint. Whether it’s refining messaging or developing a cohesive content plan, she’s dedicated to helping small businesses build real connections in a crowded digital landscape.
What we do
Everything your brand needs to grow.
We offer a full range of web design, branding, and marketing services tailored specifically for small businesses. We believe that growing a brand doesn’t have to mean sacrificing authenticity or sustainability. By combining web expertise with creative branding and content strategy, we help you build and promote your business with a holistic, hands-on approach.
Visually captivating, intuitive, and aligned with your brand. We handle everything from initial concept to full build-out.
If your site needs an update, we’ll revitalize its look and functionality to reflect your brand’s evolution.
Content updates, security checks, and feature enhancements so your site stays functional, secure, and current.
Reliable hosting with support and monitoring so your site stays online and performs smoothly — no headaches.
Logos, color palettes, typography, and visual assets that make your business recognizable and memorable.
We help you define your brand’s voice, mission, and values so your audience understands exactly who you are.
SEO-optimized, engaging content that drives traffic and converts visitors into loyal customers.
Custom content calendars, posts, captions, and visuals for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more.
Strategic newsletters, email sequences, and creative support for podcasts and video content.
Google Ads, Facebook campaigns, and data-driven SEO strategies that boost visibility and attract new customers.
Local events, pop-up shops, farmers’ markets, and strategic partnerships that build real brand presence.
Innovative campaigns and street team tactics that create buzz and amplify your reach organically.
Partnerships with complementary brands and influencers to drive authentic, organic growth.
Styled product shots, lifestyle imagery, and social media visuals built for the platforms your customers use.
Hands-on workshops and one-on-one sessions to refine your branding, content creation, and marketing approach.
Guides, templates, and toolkits that empower you to build your online presence and drive your own success.
Let’s build something extraordinary.
Whether you need a beautifully designed website, a cohesive brand identity, or creative marketing strategies — we’re ready to help you bring your vision to life.