Why Puno Loves Squarespace Circle
Location: Los Angeles, California
Started using Squarespace: 2012
Title: Executive Creative Director, ilovecreatives Studio and Founder of ilovecreatives.com
With an internationally recognized brand and distinct approach to design aesthetics, Puno has become a leader and innovator in the web design industry. She’s a Circle partner and the founder of ilovecreatives, a digital trade school for creative slashies. Puno is also the executive creative director of ilovecreatives Studio, where she leads business operations and brand strategy across client projects.
When she’s not working on client projects, Puno manages an online community of fellow digital creatives, where she shares job opportunities, courses, highlights members, and provides followers with a myriad of resources. She also teaches other freelancers and entrepreneurs how to run their own businesses on Squarespace.
Read on to learn how Puno discovered Squarespace, how she was introduced to the Circle program, and how she continues to stand out in the field.
Tell us about your business.
I started ilovecreatives because I was meeting so many people after I quit my job. At one point, I literally felt like an operator trying to keep up and make connections. I wanted to create a place where any creative person could make an ad and reach thousands of other like-minded creatives.
How did you first get involved with Squarespace and Circle?
I’m the biggest fan of the Squarespace team! Back in 2014, I attended a Squarespace meetup, and it was the first time I ever talked to other Squarespace freelancers. I remember thinking, “Whoa, this is a thing. This could be my thing.”
Then in 2017, I was invited into Squarespace Circle, and I was all over the forum.
When did you realize you could use Squarespace to build sites for clients?
When I built the ilovecreatives site! I created a minimum viable product (MVP) on Squarespace because I wanted the flexibility to quickly iterate and experiment without a programmer. To do this, I started diving deep into the templates and understanding the capabilities of Squarespace as a whole. I even created a Squarespace template comparison tool to keep track of everything I was learning. The biggest “a-ha” was when I realized I didn’t need developer mode to create all the features I wanted to implement. That’s when I realized how powerful the platform was and how efficiently I could design and execute websites for other people.
How did you first start making a living building Squarespace sites?
I found that Squarespace clients were ideal in that they are eager to learn and ready to launch. At that time, I was working on my other business, so I needed a freelance gig that wouldn’t take too much time and wasn’t emotionally draining.
“It can be a very lucrative business. After freelancing as a Squarespace designer for one year, I made $100,000 and worked two hours a day.”
What advice would you give to someone who’s considering Squarespace design as a professional endeavor?
First of all, congrats! I think it can be a very lucrative business. After freelancing as a Squarespace designer for one year, I made $100,000 and worked two hours a day. Being fast (and confident) is super important. The best way to get really good is to know all of the templates inside and out. That’s why I built my course!
How did you find your niche in your industry?
I networked like crazy. I went to a ton of events where I could meet small business owners and entrepreneurs, then introduced myself as a Squarespace freelancer. I do a yearly audit of my clients and found that 50% of my clients came from events. Then the second year, 80% of my income came from referrals.
How does Circle keep you up to date?
I actually really dig the Circle newsletter. There’s always some piece of news from the Circle team that you’ll want to pay attention to and they highlight interesting posts. From there, I go down a rabbit hole of [Circle] Forum threads.
What work are you most proud of?
My Squarespace online course. I worked on it for over six months, and it’s completely different from other courses I’ve built. I wanted to make something for not just potential Squarespace Circle members, but also entrepreneurs that want to build their own websites. I created a 3D world and added gamification to it so that you’re incentivized to finish. Even better, if you finish everything, and I approve your portfolio, I’ll add you to the ilovecreatives Recommended Squarespace Web Designer page so you can start booking clients.
How does Squarespace help you stand out in your field?
The amount of websites I made has a lot to do with how easy it is to use the platform. When you work with a ton of clients and do a great job, that brings in a ton of referrals.
What would you tell your former self to do differently in relation to your business and/or working with Squarespace Circle?
I would say stop researching developer mode. It’s not the magical answer. Everything I wanted to do was already built into Squarespace.
How is Squarespace Circle helping you achieve your dreams or pursue your passions?
I’m a huge advocate for online education. I’ve learned so much from this entire experience, and I want to share that with others. I’ve been able to not only bootstrap my two companies, but I also built websites for hundreds of other small businesses. That’s incredibly fulfilling, and if someone else wants that too, I’m here. It would be a dream if I could help someone do exactly what I did, if not more!
This article was originally published on March 10, 2023. It has since been updated.
Want more?
Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional designers and web design agencies. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
