We’ve all been there – that sinking feeling when something goes wrong with your website and you just don’t know how to fix it.
But what happens when your provider leaves you stranded? When promises don’t match reality and you’re left feeling vulnerable and out of your depth?
We worked with Donna Ward-Higgs from Learning Partner Solutions, who came to us at the end of 2024 after a difficult experience with another website provider. What she needed wasn’t just technical expertise – she needed someone who would listen, understand her and provide genuine reassurance and expertise without making her feel silly.
What resulted was so much more than just a working website that looked amazing, it was complete peace of mind and the confidence for Donna to get out there and share her online presence with others.
I was in a real state when i came to amy & rich. I’d been working with someone who had sold me the earth.
“I’d seen a shiny offer that I thought gave me exactly what I needed. But along the way, I’d had these little red flags. I’d been shown examples of their work that weren’t actually theirs and I’d felt ‘sold to’ in a way that left me feeling very uncomfortable.
I wasn’t confident enough to challenge it – tech really is not my strength.”
Donna’s previous website didn’t work properly for what she needed and didn’t reflect her or her business in the right way. But things were about to get much worse.
The day it all went wrong
The turning point came when Donna was at a friend’s house, ready to share her website details for a potential business opportunity.
“He logged in and immediately what came up was that the site had been hacked. There were virus warnings on his phone. I was mortified.
When I contacted my host company, I just got wooly responses about ‘getting to the bottom of it’. At that point I knew I had to take action. What I really wanted was a human who could just hold me in that moment of uncertainty and vulnerability. I already knew I’d made a mistake – I didn’t want to be made to feel even more stupid.”
Donna had met Amy at an event for female founders and reached out the Monday morning after the hack happened.
“I sent an email saying “We met at the Outrageously You awards. I think I really need you. Can we chat? And I was so grateful for that first call because Amy was just so calm and patient. She allowed me to vent and dump everything from that experience, which I really needed. Then she offered me real transparency.”
Anorak cat provide a grown-up service with heart. It’s transparent, it’s grounded and there’s never a fear of asking a stupid question.
An investment in peace of mind
Working with us meant Donna could access everything in one place – Rich’s technical support for the backend, making sure everything from mailing lists to mobile displays worked properly and developers and designers who could work with Donna’s new brand. Amy also introduced Donna to Hilary Salzman, a story-led copywriter to help her find the right words.
That thing of finding your own voice and words, getting comfortable with raising your visibility, that’s not something you automatically connect to websites but it was so valuable.
Getting my site to a position where I was really proud to tell people I had a space online felt amazing.”
The new Learning Partner Solutions website launched in spring 2025, and from that point on, the care plan really came into its own.
Support that grows with you
Now, having lived with her website for a year, Donna’s business has evolved and she’s updating the copy and her photos herself – with our team implementing changes through the Care Plan.
“Nothing stands still in business. Being able to feel confident to make certain changes myself – and having the backing of the team to help me, has been brilliant. Amy is really great at keeping you grounded. Some agencies would try and sell you a massive add-on, Amy does the opposite.
Anorak cat provide a grown-up service with heart. It’s transparent, it’s grounded and there’s never a fear of asking a stupid question.
Even the small things matter – like when Donna cut her hair and needed to updated her photos.
“I had all these images with hair down past my shoulders, and after I cut it, those photos just didn’t feel like me anymore. Being able to ask Kate in the helpdesk to upload new headshots so everything blends through, customers aren’t getting a surprise when what they see is different to reality.”
The Care Plan has even led to other valuable connections – Amy recommended Kate when Donna was looking for a VA, creating another trusted partnership.
“That sharing of expertise, not keeping it to themselves, builds credibility. The way Amy’s worked with me has reassured me with Kate.”
Since launching her website, Donna has moved from panic to complete confidence, knowing her site is in safe hands and that there’s always someone to talk to who genuinely cares about her success.
Need a hand?
If you want to feel supported like Donna, with a lovely team around you that have your back