How to Learn Coding as a Squarespace Designer —Kacey’s Self-Taught Journey
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“You can take me out of white glove service, but you can’t take white glove service outta me.”
What happens when a sommelier who’s worked in restaurants their whole life suddenly finds themselves grounded by a global lockdown?
For Kacey, the answer was: follow the breadcrumbs.
One VA client at a time. One website at a time. One class at a time.
In this interview, we dive into their journey from hospitality to full-time Squarespace developer.
how they taught themselves to code
built a dev model that actually works for designers
and started booking projects months in advance (without even trying to “market” themselves).
If you’ve ever wondered whether you have to code to be a web designer—or what it looks like to collaborate with a developer behind the scenes—this one’s for you.
How Kacey Went from Restaurants to Web Development
What were you doing before design and dev?
Kacey: Like a lot of folks, I was a pandemic-induced designer/developer. Before that, I was working in restaurants—had been my whole life. I’d just moved and was working in wine as a sommelier when lockdown hit.
I started doing virtual assistant work, which quickly turned into helping clients with their websites.
I supported a Squarespace designer, checking links and helping behind the scenes.
She suggested a few courses, and that kicked things off.
It’s been a slow snowball ever since. One step led to another… and another.
In late 2023, I was in a marketing class and mentioned liking development. The teacher said, “You should just do that.” That comment led to my next pivot—and I’ve focused on development ever since.
It’s never one big leap—it’s always small steps.
Every pivot was small. Directional. Sometimes a little delusional—but in the best way.
That mindset of “I don’t know where this is going, but I’m going to follow it anyway” is honestly the thing that’s gotten me here. If I’d waited until I felt fully ready or had everything figured out, I never would’ve started. None of it would’ve happened.
You have to be okay taking the next step—even when you don’t know exactly where it’s leading.
Learning Web Development from Scratch
How did you learn to code?
Kacey: I started my business in 2020, but didn’t start coding for real until a couple years ago. Meanwhile, others were taking off. But with dev work, you have to actually learn how to code—and that takes time.
Every client project led me back to Squarespace.
I’d see a cool design, and Google how to build it.
I kept taking classes, kept learning, kept going.
Eventually I realized: to build what was in my head, I needed some CSS. Just a bit here and there. That curiosity turned into a passion.
And you enjoyed it?
Kacey: I did! In Squarespace, you can’t fake it—you have to really understand how it works. I liked that challenge.
Rachel from SquareStylist has an amazing course. Super beginner-friendly and well-designed. That helped me go from total novice to someone who could actually build cool stuff.
It didn’t make sense for a long time, but I stuck with it. Once it clicked, I wanted to talk about it—and help others with it.
Should You Learn Code or Squarespace First?
You’ve taken both Square Secrets™ and Squarestylist’s course Standout Shopify. Which should people start with?
Kacey: I took yours first and recommend others do the same.
Your course teaches the platform itself—what Squarespace can Standout Shopifyactually do.
Most people don’t need to jump into CSS right away.
You teach creative ways to get great results without code.
Before diving into development, you should understand what’s possible inside Squarespace. That way:
You can build what people actually want—quickly and cleanly.
You won’t waste time on fancy features no one’s asking for.
You’ll know when (or if) you even need custom code.
I love code—but most real-world projects are about spacing, alignment, responsiveness, SEO-friendly tags… not spinning animations. Good structure matters more than flashy effects.
Kacey’s Two-Week Dev Sprint Model
What does your service look like now?
Kacey: I do things a little differently than most developers. A lot of folks charge hourly or offer blocks of time—but I work best with space to tinker.
That’s why I offer a flat-rate, two-week dev sprint called a Dev Session.
Here’s how a Dev Session works: It’s a two-week sprint that’s more chill than it sounds—because everything is organized before we ever hit “start.”
Week 1 is the build. I create the full site from scratch based on the designer’s mockups—custom code, layout styling, functionality, and responsiveness across devices.
Week 2 is support. That includes polish, client revisions, connecting the domain, SEO basics like Search Console, and all the small details like the favicon, site credits, and privacy pages.
The timeline is short, but it works because it's fully frontloaded. We’ve already gathered:
Final mockups for core pages (Home, About, Contact, Blog, etc.)
Finalized copy
Photos, assets, brand guidelines
When everything’s prepped like that, I can go deep, get focused, and deliver a beautiful, functional, fully custom site without delays or back-and-forths dragging the project out.
And because I only book one Dev Session at a time, clients get my full attention. No multitasking, no juggling projects. Just me, my laptop, your design, and a lot of music while I code.
I bring a “hospitality” mindset to dev work.
When I worked as a sommelier, it was never about pushing wine to every table. You learn quickly: some people want the full wine experience, some just want water. So instead of offering everything to everyone, you focus on the right guest—and make their experience amazing.
That’s how I think about dev work, too.
If I’m building your website, we’re not just passing files back and forth. I want to know your story. I want to hype up your brand colors. I want to celebrate your photos. I’m genuinely excited about bringing your vision to life, and I bring that energy to every project.
It’s not, “Here’s your site, bye!” It’s “Omg I love this—let’s go!”
That’s the only way I know how to do it.
Where Clients Come From
What’s working best for your marketing right now?
Kacey: Most of my best clients haven’t come from Instagram—they’ve come from courses.
Sometimes they’re live cohorts or mastermind-style programs. Other times they’re self-paced, but with an active online community. Either way, what ends up happening is simple: I make real connections. Not from pitching. Not from promoting. Just… showing up.
I engage in the community. I give feedback. I ask questions.
We talk shop, share ideas, and start to recognize each other’s names.
Eventually, someone reaches out and says, “Hey, I think I need your help with development.”
It’s honestly not even a “strategy” so much as it is showing up as a real human in the same rooms as other creative professionals. I’m not trying to sell—I’m trying to learn, grow, and connect. And that naturally leads to people trusting me with their projects.
The bonus?
Once someone works with me on one site, they often come back again and again. So each of those relationships is more than just a one-time client—it’s a long-term creative partnership.
Why Courses Are Part of Kacey’s Marketing Strategy
How do courses help with marketing?
Kacey: Sometimes it's live cohorts, sometimes it's async chats—but the value is in connection.
It’s not a “strategy”—it’s friendship.
I show up honestly, sometimes feeling unsure or figuring things out.
When someone reaches out to hire me, it feels like a true collaboration.
Even in non-live courses, I stay involved in community threads. I reach out when I’m inspired by someone’s work. That kind of interaction feels way better than endlessly creating content on social.
Kacey’s Ideal Clients
Who do you enjoy working with the most?
Kacey: Other creatives—designers, developers, copywriters, photographers. People who get it.
I don’t really work with clients “off the street.” I’m usually partnering with other pros who are building for someone else. It’s collaborative, respectful, and we’re all just trying to do great work.
Honestly? Developers and copywriters should be best friends. Our work overlaps so much—we’re both focused on how a site actually functions.
Life After Restaurants
How has your life changed since leaving the restaurant world?
Kacey: Oh, it’s totally different. Working in restaurants means physically being there—all day, every day. As a sommelier, I learned a ton about people, performance, and reading the room.
One of the best lessons?
You can’t sell a bottle of wine to someone who doesn’t drink. So don’t waste time pitching to the wrong people. Instead, focus on serving the right ones really well.
That’s how I approach my work now. If I’m building your site, we’re basically best friends for two weeks. I want to know you, your story, your vibe. I get excited about your brand colors. This isn’t a cold, transactional thing—it’s fun. It’s collaborative. It’s personal.
Is working from home a big shift?
Kacey: Huge. I used to be surrounded by hundreds of people every night. Guests, servers, kitchen staff—it was constant motion. Now, it’s just me, my laptop, and the glow of Squarespace.
But even though the setting is quieter, my brain is still buzzing. I’m putting puzzle pieces together all day long, just like I did on the floor—figuring out flow, translating ideas into something beautiful and functional.
That said, I’ve learned I need to plan for connection now. I have to go outside. Meet someone for coffee. Talk to a real-life person at least two or three times a week. Otherwise, it gets weird. Like, talking-to-my-dog levels of weird. 😄
It’s been a big change, but I’ve found ways to balance it—and I honestly love the calm.
Thoughts on Square Secrets™ + Square Secrets Business™
You’ve taken the courses—what would you say to someone on the fence?
Kacey: Do it. But don’t just buy the course—use it.
You’re not just learning Squarespace. You’re learning how to use it professionally.
Paige teaches from experience—not theory. That’s the difference.
It’s the kind of knowledge that actually gets used in real client projects.
If you’re planning to charge for websites, you need to learn from someone who does that for a living. Otherwise, it’s just guesswork—and honestly, those “help articles” only get you so far.
Take the course, show up, engage, and practice. Because there’s no magic trick here. The only way to get good is to actually do the thing.
Daily Dev Habits
Do you still code daily?
Kacey: Every. Single. Day.
Even when I don’t have client work, I code for myself. If I don’t, I get rusty. It’s noticeable. I’m slower. More frustrated. But when I stay in the flow? It’s fun. It’s easy. It’s chill.
Why Kacey’s Exploring Shopify
You’ve been getting Shopify inquiries—what’s the plan there?
Kacey: Between November and January—typically a slow season—I got 12 Shopify inquiries. Random people filling out my form, asking for help. Not referrals. Just… found me somehow.
So I took the hint.
I enrolled in a Shopify course (Rachel from SquareStylist teaches one!)
It’s similar to Squarespace—just a new language to learn
My goal is to support e-comm brands the way I already support designers
I’m not leaving Squarespace. I love it. But there’s clearly a demand for Shopify, and I want to be part of that conversation too.
You’re officially in year two of dev now, right?
Kacey: Yep—my first dev sprint launched in early 2024. It’s wild how fast it’s grown. And the Shopify interest just reinforced that I’m on the right path. It’s exciting to feel both creative and entrepreneurial.
Kacey’s story is a reminder…
…that success doesn’t have to start with a 5-year plan or a big shiny announcement.
Sometimes, it’s just one tiny pivot at a time. A VA gig here. A Squarespace link check there. And next thing you know? You’re booked out months in advance, teaching designers how to bring their boldest visions to life—with a little CSS and a lot of care.
I especially loved how they described bringing hospitality into development (yes please to more developers who actually record tutorials and answer questions with joy). And the fact that they got 12 Shopify inquiries in the middle of winter? Proof that when people see you showing up with skill and integrity, the demand follows.
And if you’re reading this thinking,
“Okay but… where do I even find clients like that?”
I’ve got you.
Finding aligned, joyful, dream clients starts with using a client-finding method that actually fits your personality—not one that drains you.
So take the quiz and find out!
Whether you’re a social butterfly or a behind-the-scenes builder, there’s a strategy out there that’ll work for you. Let’s find it.
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