A Little Life Update (And What It Means If You Were Hoping to Work With Me) July 2026
If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that I don't often write personal updates.
I'm usually over here talking about websites, SEO, and all the ways your website can work harder for your business. But today feels like the right time to share a little behind-the-scenes update - partly because life has changed quite a bit over the past few months, and partly because I wanted to have somewhere I could point people if they happen to discover my website and are wondering whether I'm taking on new projects.
So... here's what's been happening.
I've Started a New Chapter
At the end of last year, I made the decision to start working at a website agency.
It wasn't a decision I made because I was unhappy running my business - quite the opposite, actually. Building my own business has taught me more than I ever imagined, introduced me to some incredible clients, and given me opportunities I'm so grateful for.
But after several years of freelancing, I realised I was craving something I hadn’t had in a few years: stability.
Alongside that, I wanted the chance to deepen my SEO knowledge by working alongside other specialists, learning from a team, and challenging myself in new ways. SEO has always been one of my favourite parts of website design, (I’m a HUGE SEO nerd, if you know you know) and I knew there was still so much I wanted to learn.
It felt like the right decision for this season of life.
Since joining the agency team, I have already been promoted, am growing the teams capabilities in Notion (again, Notion nerd alert!), and am learning sooo much.
My new agency team on a work trip to Budapest
Learning lots at the Women In Tech SEO Conference
What This Means for My Business
The biggest change is that I'm no longer taking on new website design clients.
I'm still wrapping up a couple of projects with existing clients, but once those are complete, I'm pressing pause on client work for a little while.
If you've landed on my website hoping to enquire about a website project, I'm so sorry to disappoint! At the moment, I won't be accepting new client projects until 2027.
This isn't goodbye.
It's simply giving myself the space to fully commit to this new chapter, continue growing my skills, and enjoy a little more balance.
My business isn't disappearing - it's just looking a little different for now.
You Can Still Work With Me
Although I'm not taking on full website projects, I'm still very much here for business owners who are building or improving their own websites.
My DIY Website Club is staying open, and honestly, it's become one of my favourite parts of my business.
Inside the club, I help business owners who are creating their own websites by offering:
3x Monthly co-working sessions
Website support whenever you get stuck
Feedback and guidance
Weekly 10 minute challenges so you can improve your website in bitesize, easy to manage ways.
If you've ever wished you could just ask someone a quick website question without booking a full designer, that's exactly what the club is for.
I absolutely love seeing members grow in confidence and finally make progress on websites they've been putting off for months. (Plus, I’ve been enjoying sharing my growing SEO knowledge!)
A happy life update
Another Dream Is About to Come True
There's another reason I'm simplifying my workload this year...
In November and December, (Just 4 months away ahhhh!) I'll be taking 2 whole months away from work to do something I've dreamed about for years…
…I'm finally travelling around Southeast Asia!
Vietnam and Thailand have been on my travel bucket list for what feels like forever, and I genuinely can't believe it's nearly happening.
I'm excited for scuba diving heaven, incredible food, new experiences, beautiful scenery, and hopefully making it through the Ha Giang Loop without any injuries!
I have a feeling it's going to be one of those adventures I'll remember for the rest of my life.
Thank You
If you've supported my business over the years - whether you've been a client, joined a masterclass, downloaded one of my resources, been part of my community, or simply followed along on Instagram - thank you.
Running this business has opened so many doors for me, and I'm incredibly grateful for every person who's been part of the journey.
I'm really excited about what's next.
I'm excited to keep learning.
I'm excited to keep helping people through the DIY Website Club.
I'm excited for this new season.
And I'm very excited to eat my body weight in pad thai and mango sticky rice.
This isn't the end of Freya Padmore Web Design, far from it.
It's simply a new chapter.
One where I'm investing in my growth, chasing a few lifelong dreams, and trusting that my business will still be here when I'm ready to welcome new clients again in 2027.
Until then, if you're DIYing your website and would like some support along the way, I'd absolutely love to see you inside the DIY Website Club.
And if you're here simply to follow along with what I'm up to next, thank you for being here. It genuinely means a lot. 💛
