Why I Started Sunburst Studio
Web design has been part of my life for longer than most people realize. I built my first websites back in middle school, kept at it through high school, and even brought home a few awards from Business Professionals of America (BPA) web design competitions. Somewhere along the way, it stopped being a class project and became something I genuinely enjoyed.
The first try: Elevate
In 2022, I decided to turn that passion into something more and started freelancing under the name Elevate Web Service. I built sites on Squarespace and took on a few projects, but honestly, I never gave it the attention it deserved. Elevate ended up on the back burner, and for a while, that’s where it stayed.
Trying again, for real this time
In early 2025, I picked it back up. I knew I wanted to give it another shot, and this time I wanted to do it right. So I relaunched as Sunburst Studio, started operating under it as a DBA, and moved my work over to Wix Studio, a much more powerful platform than Squarespace that let me build sites with far more creative freedom.
I wanted a name that felt warm, bright, and optimistic, because that’s how I want every client to feel the first time they see their new website.
Taking Sunburst Studio to the next level
This past September, I made two big moves.
First, I launched Solar Flare.
Solar Flare is my own in-house set of tools for building websites. Instead of relying on Wix Studio or piecing together a bunch of third-party services, I now build everything myself.
That might sound like a behind-the-scenes detail, but it changes everything about what I can offer. Without a template platform setting the limits, I can build websites that are more capable and more stunning than ever before. Smooth animations, custom layouts, and features designed around how each business actually runs, whether that’s online ordering, booking, an online shop, or a private dashboard where owners can update their own content. If a business needs it, I can build it. And because I’m not stacking up subscriptions to other companies’ software, my clients don’t get stuck paying for them either.
Second, Sunburst Studio officially became an LLC.
It’s a small piece of paper, but it represents a big commitment. This isn’t a side experiment anymore. It’s a real business, and I’m all in.
What I believe in
Sunburst Studio runs on six pillars: integrity, kindness, excellence, growth, collaboration, and resilience. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Honest pricing. One price list for everyone, posted publicly, with no hidden fees. You can see it on my pricing transparency page.
A real person. When you need help, you get me. Not a chatbot, not a ticket queue, just a local guy in Grand Rapids who knows your site inside and out.
Changes without the stress. Updates to your site are included while you’re a client. You shouldn’t have to think twice about fixing a typo or swapping out a photo.
Websites that wow. I want your site to be the one people screenshot and send to their friends. Beautiful, fast, and easy to use on any device.
Why this matters to me
I started Sunburst Studio because I believe every small business deserves a website that makes them proud. Not just the businesses with big marketing budgets. All of them.
If you’re a business owner who has been putting off a new website, or you’ve been burned by a web designer before, I’d love to chat. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a conversation about what you need.
Get in touch or check out some of my work in the portfolio.
One small favor
If you made it this far, thank you. Truly.
If you know a local business owner who could use a better website, would you share this with them? A friend’s restaurant, your favorite shop, a family member starting something new. Word of mouth means everything to a small business like mine, and I promise to take great care of anyone you send my way.
Trenton Moore
Founder, Sunburst Studio
