Welcome to another edition of our Member Spotlight Series on the Madison Mompreneur blog! This series will help you get to know the members of Madison Mompreneur as we ask them questions about their personal and professional life as moms who own businesses in the Madison, Alabama area.

We are continuing this series with the spotlight on Kelbey McGhee, Owner of Hatched Design Co.!

Tell us about yourself!
I’m Kelbey McGhee, and I’m the owner of Hatched Design Co.

How does your business help people?
As a brand and website designer, I help overwhelmed entrepreneurs find their confidence with relationship-focused branding and conversion-driven Showit websites.

How long have you lived in Madison?
I’ve lived in the area my whole life! 

What inspired you to start your business?
While I was working in the marketing department for a tech company in Nashville, TN, the whole branch I had worked with was laid off. So, yes, one day I had a 9–5, the next…I had zero income and a whole lotta questions. And while being jobless isn’t exactly what I’d recommend for a good time, that layoff gave me the push I didn’t know I needed. I decided to give freelancing a go. One project led to another, and suddenly I had a real business forming in front of me. Not bad for a fresh-outta-corporate girl with a laptop and a Pinterest mood board! As I worked with more clients, I realized who I loved working with the most were women starting their own businesses from scratch. The ones who were ready to ditch the 9–5 grind in exchange for freedom and flexibility — but had no idea where to start when it came to branding. I saw myself in them. I was them. So, I made it official. Hatched Design Co was born. And it’s been my full-time gig ever since — helping women in business look and feel like the CEOs they are.

What sets your business apart from others in the industry?
I don’t just design pretty things—I build brands that actually work. While most designers focus on making things look good, I’m obsessed with making sure your brand attracts the right people and drives real results. I combine a decade of strategic marketing knowledge with intentional design to create brands that don’t just sit pretty on the internet—they work overtime to grow your business. Here’s what really sets me apart: I’ve been where the startups are. I know what it feels like to stare at your laptop at 2 AM wondering if you’re crazy for starting a business. That’s why my process feels less like working with a corporate agency and more like having a strategic best friend who happens to know a lot about branding! I specialize in helping entrepreneurs skip the messy middle—that overwhelming phase where you know you need a brand but have no idea where to start. Instead of leaving you to figure it out alone, I guide you through a proven process that turns your vision into a cohesive brand experience that connects with your ideal clients from day one. The bottom line? Other designers give you a logo and website. I give you the confidence and clarity to build something your whole community can’t stop talking about.

What do you consider to be your biggest success so far?
My biggest success isn’t something I built—it’s watching a client go from hiding behind ‘coming soon’ pages for months to launching confidently and booking her first $10K month within 60 days. That moment when she texted me ‘I can’t believe this is actually working!’ That’s what I’m here for.

How does your business contribute to the local community?
I’m passionate about helping local entrepreneurs in the greater Alabama area build businesses they’re proud of. When I help a local baker create a brand that attracts more customers, or design a website for a local service provider that actually converts, I’m directly contributing to our local economy and helping small businesses thrive right here at home.

How do you see your business evolving in the next 5-10 years?
It’s 10 years down the road, and Hatched is totally killing it in the small business world. I want to be the go-to crew for entrepreneurs looking to level up their game in the area. We’re keeping things boutique. We’re not trying to be the next big corporate giant. We’re all about that quality over quantity life. We’re staying true to our roots, keeping things personal, and delivering awesomeness on a silver platter.

Who are your typical customers and how do they find you?
My ideal clients? They’re the go-getters, the dreamers, the “I’m gonna make this happen” types. We’re talking about: First-time entrepreneurs ready to make their mark, small business owners who know it’s time for a digital glow-up, corporate escapees starting their own gig, and creative souls who need help turning their ideas into a real-deal brand. These folks know that good design isn’t just pretty – it’s powerful. They’re ready to invest in their business’s future, but they’d rather leave the design magic to someone who lives and breathes this stuff (aka, yours truly). They’ll find me during local networking events, through the mouth’s of successful clients, and Instagram for national reach.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?
I’m obsessed with the puzzle of it all. Taking someone’s big, messy vision and figuring out how to turn it into a cohesive brand that actually works. Every project is like a creative challenge where I get to dig into their story, understand their people, and then design something that bridges that gap perfectly.

How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and changes?
I follow a mix of design blogs, marketing podcasts, other designers and industry leaders on social media, but I’m selective about it. I focus on sources that share both the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ behind trends—because understanding the strategy behind a design choice is way more valuable than just copying what looks cool. Plus, my clients often share what they’re seeing in their own fields.

What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a business in your industry?
Start before you’re “ready”. Don’t wait until you feel ‘qualified enough’ or have the perfect portfolio—I started with a laptop and way too much coffee! The best way to learn is by doing actual client work. Start with friends, family, or small local businesses who need help. Your skills will grow with every project, and real client work teaches you things no course ever could.

What product/service would you like for us to highlight at this time?
All-in-One Brand and Website Design: A simple, no-fuss design experience that turns your brand and website into a polished, conversion-driven home for your brand.

Do you involve your kid(s) in your business? If yes, how so?
Somewhat! My son is 3.5 and he likes to watch what I do on the computer every so often. But he likes to “type my emails” more!

What do you find is the most difficult part of balancing motherhood and business life?
The hardest part is the constant mental switching between ‘mom mode’ and ‘business owner mode.’ One minute I’m designing a brand strategy, the next I’m dealing with a toddler meltdown because his daddy gave him milk in a red cup instead of a blue cup, then immediately switching back to take a client call. It’s not just the time management—it’s the emotional and mental energy it takes to be fully present for both sides.

Where can people find you?
My Website & Instagram!

If Kelbey’s experience as a mom and business owner resonates with you, we want to hear from you in the comments! And if you are a mom and business owner in Madison, Alabama email us at madisonmompreneur@gmail.com to be featured in a future Member Highlight post!Thanks for reading!