Meet Chantelle Catania of Annatto

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantelle Catania.

Chantelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My professional story is one inspired by the words, “If they can do it, why can’t I?” … followed by years of making sure I don’t actually eat those words. I was working for a small marketing agency and the office culture had turned toxic. I loved the work I was doing, yet I dreaded going into the office. I’d love to say confidence helped me start my business, but I’d be lying if I didn’t give credit to curiosity and sheer determination to figure it out.

I worked for almost 5 years as a freelancer, steadily building my client base before joining forces with other solopreneurs, Lindsay Boseman and Nicole Driver. This was easily the best decision I could have made. Building a company with the type of work environment that we all wanted has created a culture where we thrive. As we approach our 10-year anniversary in 2027, I could not be more excited with where our business is going.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As we’ve grown over the years, I have had to adjust my role within the company. Part of that is learning to let go of the aspects of the job that are holding you back and embracing more leadership and management. Historically, I have been a person who handles everything myself, but clearly after only a few years of growth, that was not sustainable.

My partners and I have also had some lessons in understanding our value. Over the years, we realized that some clients were no longer a great fit. Our clients value partnership and see design as a strategic advantage, not just a decoration. Letting go of those clients that did not value those principles was hard at first, but it ultimately gave us more time to pursue those companies that we know are a good fit for Annatto’s services.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Annatto?
We are a strategic design firm. Our clients range in industry, but most are in what is considered a complex industry – they tend to have in-depth technical information as well as multiple audiences to consider. We act as an extension to their marketing team—whether it’s one person or an entire department—to sharpen strategy, expand marketing capacity, and bring their vision to life.

This can be anything from websites to printed collateral to tradeshow graphics and exhibit pieces.

We built Annatto so clients work directly with seasoned partners, not through multiple levels of account managers. With a deliberately small core team, we can assemble the best creative partners for each project. This flexibility allows us to adapt to a client’s marketing structure and tackle challenges with agility.

We’re proud of the value we place on collaboration and forming long-term relationships with clients and our creative partners. We’re always willing to ask the “dumb” questions—because curiosity leads to better solutions. Our clients know their business best, and we partner closely with them to create work that’s both creative and effective. It’s an approach that’s earned trust and kept many clients with us for 5–10+ years.

What makes you happy?
For me, happiness in work comes down to people. I get to build alongside partners who energize and impress me, and collaborate with clients who trust our perspective. It hasn’t always been an easy road, but it’s one I’m grateful to be on every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annattocreates.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annattocreates
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annattocreates/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantellecatania/