Today we’d like to introduce you to Bitsy McCann.
Hi Bitsy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started this business after I was let go.
My entire life, I’ve always been an incredibly hard worker. I was managing a fast food restaurant before I even turned 18. I spent seven years in radio, wearing every single hat in the building. I was a drum major, homecoming queen, and the leadership list goes on.
When I moved to Central Pennsylvania, I worked for an entrepreneur, then a print shop, and eventually a financial firm. I was brought on to redesign all of their marketing collateral and plan their events for the following year. And then, in the middle of the holiday season after only four months of employment, they let me go.
I was devastated. I spent the rest of that holiday season feeling sorry for myself and wondering what I had done wrong. But after that, I started a tiny design and branding business while still sending out my résumé nonstop. Unfortunately (and fortunately), no one was calling me back.
My new super-tiny business billed about $12,000 in its first year. I truly didn’t know if it would ever turn into anything real. But over a decade later, it has grown into a thriving freelance agency. The first year I hit six figures, I genuinely couldn’t believe it. I never thought someone who did design and branding full-time could make that kind of living.
Today, my agency is by referral only. Every person who works with me has heard about me from someone else. I don’t advertise on social media or Google. There’s no contact form on my website. My business has been built entirely on the work I do and the relationships I form.
I’m now booking out into the middle of summer, and it’s only the beginning of the year. Sometimes I still can’t believe that what started as career heartbreak became an incredible opportunity to do the work that I love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth road? Not even a little.
The road has been anything but smooth, but most of my struggles were self-created. In the beginning, I didn’t charge enough, I didn’t trust myself enough, and I didn’t follow the paths that had already been laid by people who came before me. I had to learn everything the hard way.
I’ve stumbled a lot. I’ve overworked, undercharged, taken on the wrong clients, and said yes when I should have said no. I’ve learned (sometimes very painfully) that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Burnout has popped up more than once, and imposter syndrome was very loud in the beginning.
One of my biggest challenges was communication. I would either get lost in emails and messages or hyperfocus on work and disappear into it for days. A few years ago, when I felt completely underwater, I brought on the world’s absolute best assistant. (Shout out to Venus!) That decision changed everything for me. She now manages my communication and project flow so I can focus on the parts of my work that I love the best: creating beautiful brands and connecting with beautiful humans.
Most of the other struggles have been your generic ones. Misaligned expectations, poor boundaries, and relationships that weren’t the right fit. But these struggles taught me some of my most important lessons. If something isn’t clearly communicated on both sides, it will eventually become a problem. And do not work with people that give you negative vibes. Trust that gut instinct.
None of it was smooth. But every misstep shaped how I run my business today. I’m more confident, more grounded, and far more intentional than I ever was at the start. I know exactly who I am, and what my business does for others. All of my mistakes led me here.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I build big brands for clients of all sizes.
I create logos, build websites, write all the content, and design the full visual experience from the ground up. Nothing I do is templated. None of my brands look the same, because none of my clients are the same. I truly see myself as an artist, and for me, using templates would feel like doing a job instead of creating something meaningful and impactful.
My favorite part of my work is making my clients look like national brands no matter how big they are. I want them to feel franchiseable from the jump. I don’t want them to look like a “mom and pop shop.” There is something really powerful about watching someone’s confidence shift when their brand finally matches how capable they actually are.
I think what also sets me apart is that I do everything myself. I don’t just design the website and send them off to someone else for content or strategy. I write the words, shape the voice, and design the experience all at the same time. My brain actually works best that way. The story and the visuals are happening together all at once, not being developed in separate lanes.
I’m also a by-referral-only business. I don’t advertise. I don’t sell. I don’t convince people to work with me. If someone ends up in my inbox, it’s because someone they trust sent them my way. That matters to me. It means every project starts with respect and understanding of my abilities. They know I’m good at what I do. They’ve seen it, and they want it.
What I’m most proud of is that I get to do work I love that also happens to support my family and my life. I am grateful every single day to be in a career I find truly magical.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think my personal brand is actually a very honest reflection of who I am. I’m colorful and funky and loud and A LOT. I smile constantly, I’m wildly friendly, and I genuinely love people. (Not everyone loves me though, of course! I do have three *known* haters in Central PA. And honestly? They fuel me. They give me power. I find it deeply motivating.)
What might surprise people, despite my outgoing personality, is that I’m a total homebody.
I love the networking groups I’m part of (shout out to PRE and CPNG!), and I truly enjoy showing up for my clients when they personally invite me to their events. But outside of that? Good luck catching me out of the house. I will politely pass on most mixers and social gatherings and educational events without a second thought.
Because I’m so bold and colorful, I think people assume I’m always “out there.” But most days and evenings, I’m at home working on projects, creating art, and (most importantly) spending time with my family and friends.
Pricing:
- Logos $200-$400
- Websites $3,500-$6,000+ (includes photo sourcing, content writing, design, layout, SEO)
- Print Design $150+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bitsyplusdesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitsymccann
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BitsyPlusDesign/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bitsymccann/
