Ann Marie Gill

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An unexpected conversation with a full-time Mom who owns a full-time web design agency.
In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Ann Marie Gill. We started off by getting to know each other, as we had just met, and I was intrigued to learn about how she met her husband. Annemarie shared the charming story of working on small cruise ships in Alaska after college, where she met her husband, a chef onboard. She fondly recounted how his cooking, especially a dish of poblano chicken, won her heart, and how their relationship blossomed through late-night conversations and handwritten letters.

Ann Marie then took me through her life journey, starting with her roots on the West Coast. She grew up in Sacramento, studied psychology in San Diego, and eventually moved to Seattle. Her passion for web design started unexpectedly when she began working with Dreamweaver and HTML, which led her to create websites for friends and family. This hobby soon turned into a full-time business, especially after the birth of her second daughter in 2009, which coincided with her discovery of WordPress.

We also delved into her husband’s career shift from being a chef to becoming a high-end finish carpenter, highlighting how he managed to merge his culinary skills with his new trade by naming his business “The Hammering Chef.” Annemarie shared how they balanced their family life, with two daughters, by hiring help to manage her growing web design business. She spoke about her team, including a former neighbor turned employee who has been with her for nine years, and how they’ve helped her business thrive.

Our conversation naturally flowed into a discussion about life in the small town of Duval, Washington, where Annemarie lives. She described the beautiful surroundings, including nearby Mount Rainier and Snoqualmie Falls, and shared how she enjoys outdoor activities like kayaking with her daughters on the local lake. We also touched on her love for Seattle, where she frequently visits for concerts, coffee shops, and the vibrant city life.

As we continued, Ann Marie spoke about the challenges and rewards of running a web design business, especially in the ever-evolving world of WordPress. She highlighted the importance of staying updated with technology and how she has managed to balance her professional and personal life. We also discussed the supportive nature of the WordPress community, which Annemarie has found invaluable since attending her first WordCamp in 2013.

We wrapped up the conversation with Ann Marie recommending Philip Levine from South Florida as a future guest for the podcast, noting his interesting background and contributions to the WordPress community. Our discussion was a delightful mix of personal stories and professional insights, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know Annemarie better.