Summary
I am a picture of zen...a cool balance between Star Trek Nerd and Hippy Artist. When I was younger I dreamed of squirreling away in a cabin writing long novels and literary missives like those of the greats I had read with such passion.
Unfortunately my attention span probably translates more like a Pollack painting...lots of stuff splattering quickly all over a huge canvas!
So when I discovered HTML and taught myself how to write a little code, I learned my words can turn into pictures with the magic of computer languages! So both halves of me had a happy little vulcan mind meld and my inner nerd and outer artist joined to make a happy me who loves to design and develop websites for business owners!
As of January 1, 2013, I have now officially moved into a real office on main street in Galax! Finally, after freelancing for YEARS, you can find me working at 106 N Main St, Galax VA from 9am - 4pm! Come see me if you need a website.
My main customers have been those in the tourism industry: county and city tourism agencies, bed and breakfasts, realtors, and similar groups seeking assistance in getting attention from outside our immediate service area.
I have been designing websites and print collateral in the Southwest Virginia region since 2003.
Specialties: Tourism Business and Government Agency Website and Print Collateral/Logo/Image Branding Design, website hosting, search engine and social media marketing assistance and training, promotional writing, ad design
Experience
Social Media & Website Design Specialist (2003 - Present)
Website Design Gallery by Mitone
Sole Proprietorship, Myself Only, Information Technology and Services
I provide Custom Website Design and Interactive Web Development, Social Media Integration (Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, YouTube, Blogs, Newsletters, Pinterest, Google+), Search Engine Page Optimization, and Branding with Corporate Identity Logo Design and Print Collateral Design.
Regional Director (2009 - 2009)
VECTEC
Nonprofit, Internet
The Virginia Electronic Commerce Technology Center at Christopher Newport University promotes economic competitiveness and development by sponsoring, developing and implementing electronic commerce activities and programs to include rural areas throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. VECTEC places special emphasis on delivering e-commerce technologies and services to Virginia's small and medium size businesses. My position manages a 100 mile radius around Galax, Virginia.
Founder, Designer (2007 - 2009)
The Big Blue Magazine
Partnership, Publishing
Full color glossy travel magazine promoting southwest Virginia. Published 8 issues. Currently inactive but in the works of rebuilding as web-based literary directory about SWVA with an annual print edition.
Graphics Designer (2001 - 2002)
Threjay Marketing
Printing
Part time graphics position in Garden City Kansas
Cake Decorator, Financial Management Trainee, Writer, Seeker (1996 - 2000)
The Fancy Free Years
Research
When I graduated with my degree in English, but no certification to teach, I admit I was rather lost!! What is an English major to do besides write or teach? Well, the writing did not pan out, and as most 23 year olds will soon realize, one needs a steady job in order to eat and pay apartment rent. I accepted a position with American General Finance as a Financial Management trainee. Boy was I ill-suited for that career track!! I found happiness a year or so later as a part time cake decorator while I still attempted to have a normal career in finance. Soon my cake decorating skills and creativity led me to a full time position at a grocery store bakery in Garden City, KS as the cake decorator extraordinaire! Having my artistic talent recognized only fueled my desire to do something even more challenging so I taught myself HTML and web design and found a part time position with a marketing agency as their web consultant and ad layout girl. That's where I learned a lot about marketing, advertising and graphics! So, please disregard the jumble of positions I held as I discovered my calling during these formative years!
Skills & Expertise
WordPress Design, Social Media, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Advertising, Graphic Design, Writing, E-commerce, Blogging, Facebook, Web Design, Newsletters, Creative Development, Tourism, Social Networking, Wordpress, Website Development, Copywriting, Email Marketing, Web Development, Photoshop, Press Releases, Creative Writing, CSS, InDesign, HTML, Dreamweaver, Editing, Brochures, CMS, Word, Digital Photography, Copy Editing, Corel Draw, Corel Photopaint, Microsoft Word, Creative Direction, WordPress, SEO, Marketing
Recommendations
Mitone has a natural gift for creating the advertising you need. She thinks outside the box and can bring forth something creative and unusual that is both eyecatching and informative.
Linda O'Connell
I found working with Mitone to be something of an exciting adventure. To say she is very creative is an understatement. Mitone's talents proved beneficial when establishing the new Carroll County tourism program. She provided the county with its first tourism brochure. This was when I became aware of her incredible graphic design talents. Carroll County served as a county prototype for the Virginia.org data share program which she effectively meshed into our website that she also designed (VisitTheBlueRidge.com). When developing the regional tourism branding initiative Blue Ridge Plateau, Mitone once again proved herself by coming up with a very striking logo and color scheme as well as accompanying website (BlueRidgePlateau.com). After a nearly 40 year absence, the county brought back its county fair and Mitone provided us with a logo that was needed to help brand and promote the much anticipated the event. I also enjoyed working with her in the creation of small ads (and tag lines) used to promote various special events around the county. Mitone produced dynamic customized creative designs and website services at a very fair cost.
David E. Rotenizer
Mitone produces high quality work at reasonable prices and turn times. She is always very pleasant to work with and helps with creative and profitable new ideas for marketing your business.
Robin Fincher
Mitone designed business cards for me that were so beautiful, I could've never suggested to her the outcome! If you're not sure what you want, but need something professional, Mitone will exceed your expectations.
Terri Dunevant
Mitone is blessed with a very creative ability to design and market your business. Her rack cards and business cards are outstanding and she has a natural born gift of being able to express what you want to convey in your advertising. Her creativity makes the advertising fresh and interesting which captures attention....that's what we want!
Linda O'Connell
I've worked with Mitone on my website design and logo creation. I am extremely pleased with her inventive ideas. http://www.blueridgemanorbnb.com
Darlene Juliana
Mitone and I have worked on my on going GODpillow Project since 2008. It is a joy to collaborate with someone who knows the technical end of websites/social media, but also has the adaptability to work with different personalities and styles. That is a true gift, and she in turn has become a friend of mine.
Cindy Halley