Available for projects
Lakeville, MN

Thoughtful websites for small businesses.

I'm Michael — fifteen years across print design, front-end engineering, and leading teams. Now freelancing and hands-on again, building accessible, durable sites that are a pleasure to own.

Start a projectSee the work
A root forming a spiral surrounded by leaves, rocks, and dirt.

What I do

Hands-on help,
end to end.

Websites & web apps

Modern, responsive front-ends in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — built for performance and built to last.

Ecommerce & CMS

Shopify, Wordpress, and Webflow setup, content workflows, and scalable architecture so you can sell and update with ease.

Accessibility & QA

Design-faithful builds with browser and device testing, baked-in accessibility, and dependable mobile responsiveness.

Design & brand

A print designer's eye for typography, composition, and editorial layout – translating goals into something that feels right.

Portrait of Michael Start outside
Michael Start
Front-end engineer & designer

About

A maker, a mentor, and a steady hand.

I started in print — editorial layouts, brochures, a monthly magazine — and that foundation in typography and composition still shapes everything I build. From there I spent years as a front-end engineer at agencies like Nerdery and Irish Titan, shipping pixel-perfect work for everyone from small shops to Fortune 500s.
‍
Most recently I led software teams across web, mobile, and infrastructure. I learned that good work comes from good relationships — and I'd rather be close to the craft again, helping people directly.
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Today I'm freelancing for small businesses and organizations who want a website that's accessible, durable, and easy to keep current. If that's you, I'd love to talk.

Leadership in practice

  • Kindness

    A real differentiator in any growth culture.

  • Unblocking others

    Clearing the path for the team before myself.

  • Trust

    Bi-directional, and the basis of psychological safety.

  • Resilience

    Calm, solutions-oriented morale under pressure.

Tools & Skills

  • HTML / CSS/ JS
  • React
  • Shopify
  • WordPress
  • Drupal
  • Git
  • Accessibility
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Agile
  • Production Art
  • Print production

Selected Work

Fifteen years,
one thoughline:
craft.

  • 2025 – Present

    Michael Start LLC

    Now
    Freelance Web Developer

    Modern, responsive sites and web apps for small businesses — partnering directly with clients from goals to launch.

  • 2024 – 2025

    West Shore Home

    Director of Software Development

    Led managers and developers across web, mobile, and infrastructure; set software standards and guided organizational change.

  • 2019 – 2024

    Irish Titan

    Engineering Manager → Senior Engineer

    Grew from senior engineer into people leadership for a 14-person team, balancing delivery, hiring, and growth.

  • 2013 – 2019

    Nerdery

    Senior Software Engineer, Front-end

    Built and maintained front-ends for enterprise and Fortune 500 clients, with solid accuracy and accessibility.

  • 2009 – 2013

    TEN7

    Drupal Developer

    The foray into development began by learning all aspects of building websites and what it takes to keep them running. Heck, even MX records!

  • 2008 – 2013

    Local Design Group

    Graphic Designer

    Editorial layouts, brochures, and a monthly magazine — preflight to print. Where the typography habit took hold.

Get in touch

Let's build something that lasts.

Tell me a little about your project — or just say hello. I read every message and reply personally, usually within a day.

  • Email
    michael@michaelstart.com
  • LinkedIn
    in/mstart
  • Based in
    Lakeville, MN
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