About Andrea, Founder of The Nonprofit Template Shop & One Nine Design

The One Nine Design Backstory

My career started in fundraising before I really knew what fundraising was. In charge of 50+ students, I was hired to be the Assistant Director of Annual Giving at the West Virginia University Foundation (Let’s Go! Mountaineers!) and run the student telemarketing program known as The Mountaineer Line. That job would put me on a winding path of nonprofit work for the next two decades, holding every position from volunteer, to fundraiser, to Executive Director and everything in between.

Throughout it all, one thing has been consistent: I understand the value of making a great first impression.

In September 2019, just two years into running my business, I was named the 2019 Mid-Ohio Valley Entrepreneur of the Year. That kind of recognition doesn’t come easy — it’s a result of hard work, of putting my experience to work for people like you, and for making it a priority to be generous in giving to both my community and other female entrepreneurs.

I can’t remember any of the work I’ve accomplished being easy. In fact, most of those years were really hard. The late nights. The travel to see donors and volunteers. The letter stuffing. Preparing for board meetings. Executing events. Asking. And asking! The mail merges and the balancing of every. single. hat. You get it, right? Nonprofit work is crazy rewarding but gosh is it hard.

After leading my local United Way team to record-breaking fundraising results and crazy growth for nearly three years, I came to a crossroads. I was unhealthy, physically and mentally. I was neglecting myself in every way, pouring every bit of myself into the organization and leaving at the end of long days with nothing left to give my family waiting at home. Personal challenges were mounting. Something had to give.

At the end of 2016, I left a really great thing in search of something better. In search of finding myself again and getting my priorities back in order.

For several months, I quietly put myself back together. I started showing up for my kids again. I started exercising regularly. I started reading for fun and rediscovering the parts of me that were, well, me. And slowly, my heart led me to find a new love in a new way. I had the idea to start a small business where I could help nonprofits navigate their digital marketing efforts with less stress and more results. I knew from working with nonprofits firsthand what overwhelmed them and what intimidated them. I knew what held them back. And I knew how to help.

It was a slow build and it’s been quite the journey but today, I’m helping small businesses and nonprofits finally feel empowered about their digital homes and giving them the tools they need to grow their reach and impact online.

After many years, I finally feel like myself again, and through setting healthy boundaries, using the gifts I’ve been given, and a little bit of magic, I’m living a life better than I ever imagined.

I spend a great deal of my day writing articles for my blog, working with clients on website design, building the Nonprofit Template Library, and let’s be real, walking my dog!

On the personal side of life, I’m happily married to my husband Scott, a mom of two awesome boys, and a dog mom to our chocolate Labradoodle, Kai. I have an incurable case of wanderlust and a list a mile-long of places I dream of visiting. However, here at home in the Mid-Ohio Valley, I enjoy listening to podcasts, reading books, getting some kind of movement every day, and getting outside for long walks with my dog!

(Oh and PS — every photo of me on this website is out of date. My hair is graying (fast) and I kind of love it. New photos to come in 2024!)