Meet Rising Starz: Brand & Website Design for Minnesota Small Businesses

Hi, we're Aileen and Cam — the two people behind Rising Starz Design Studio. If you've found your way here, welcome! We wanted to kick off our blog by introducing ourselves, sharing how this business came to be, and giving you a peek at what's ahead.

A Little Bit About Us

Aileen grew up in China, then moved to St. Louis for college, Michigan for grad school, and finally Minnesota for her first job — which is where we've put down roots and where Rising Starz calls home.

Cam brings the design side of the house, with a BFA in graphic design and years of experience working at big graphic design agencies. That agency background means our clients get the kind of polish and craft you'd expect from a large firm, with the personal attention you can only get from a small one.

How Rising Starz Started

In 2024, we were asked to build a website for Aileen's company. That first project lit the spark. We realized we loved the process — taking someone's vision and turning it into a brand and website they're proud of — and Rising Starz was born.

From there, we started working with local clients here in Minnesota, one relationship at a time.

Growing in 2025

Last year, we really ramped up our social media efforts, and it's been exciting to see the results. We now welcome clients who find us online as well as through referrals from the businesses we've worked with — which, honestly, is the best compliment we could ask for.

Grateful for Our Minnesota Community

We're so grateful for our clients here in Minnesota. Our niche is serving local small businesses and solopreneurs, and that's exactly where we want to be. There's something special about helping the people in our own community show up online with confidence.

What We Actually Do

Rising Starz is a brand and website company. That means we don't just build websites — we create a visual brand that helps you stand out from other businesses, one that represents your vision for your company and your personal style.

Here's why that matters: your website is your digital storefront, and you should genuinely enjoy looking at it. When your brand feels like you, it motivates you to create something great — to enjoy not only making money from your business, but enjoying the business itself.

And here's a bonus most people don't expect: building a website brings clarity to your business. Working through your brand, your message, and your offerings forces you to get clear on who you serve and why. It's amazing how the process serves you in so many different ways.

What's Coming Next

In our next few posts, you'll learn more about:

• Our pricing — and why we price the way we do

• The tools and services we're creating to serve the local Minnesota community

We're just getting started, and we're glad you're here. If you're a Minnesota small business owner or solopreneur thinking about your brand or website, stick around — this blog is for you.

— Aileen & Cam, Rising Starz Design Studio