Websites Shouldn’t Be So Hard

How a broken system led to Peak Digital Studio: A founder’s story

Before Peak Digital Studio Founder Matt Johnson ever built a website, he was in your shoes trying to get one made. Working at a local nonprofit, he encountered all the typical challenges: long delays, unclear communication, unexpected costs, and a final product that was already outdated by the time it was launched. "The website looked really good," Matt recalls, "but by the time it launched, we already had new programs and events. And getting the website updated wasn’t straightforward." It was slow and expensive, and the process was clunky.

That experience stuck with him. And the more he talked with other small teams and early-stage founders, the more he realized this wasn't a one-off. This was the norm.

Finding Solutions Through Trial and Error

Determined to understand the process and take matters into his own hands, Matt started teaching himself to build websites, first with WordPress and later with Webflow. He learned on the job, building for his own projects, then for friends and their small businesses and startups. He learned how to choose the right plugins, setup integrations, troubleshoot issues, and get something live without over-engineering it.

But even as he became the person who could build websites, he still found the whole freelance and agency system broken, especially for small businesses and nonprofits who didn't have time to chase down designers or manage flaky contractors. He didn't want to just build websites. He wanted to create a better experience.

The Start of Peak Digital Studio

Matt founded Peak Digital Studio to be the kind of partner he wished he'd had. Someone reliable, responsive, transparent, and collaborative. Not a huge agency. Not a flaky freelancer who disappears for weeks. Just a solid, talented team that delivers excellent work and sticks around to help you when you need it. Websites should grow with your business, and you shouldn't need to file a support ticket every time you want to update a photo or fix a typo.

That's why Peak isn't just a design studio; it's an ongoing partner. 

Once someone starts working with us, we're part of their team," Matt says. "We respond quickly, we don't nickel-and-dime people, and we stay involved. Our clients know we're here when they need us.

The Team Behind the Screens

What started as a collaboration between Matt and his longtime collaborator, Pelumi, has grown into a team of designers, developers, and marketers who all share the same values: clarity, care, and craftsmanship. Their core mission is centered around their clients: to always be available and responsive to their needs, to deliver the highest quality wok ahead of schedule, and to exceed expectations.

Kathleen, based in Truckee, manages projects and social media. Ralph handles testing and quality assurance. Our team brings in expertise in UI/UX, Daniel is a whiz at WordPress, and Lawal, our world-class designer, makes each site, logo, slide deck, or flyer feel custom-built … because it is.

They begin every project with a conversation instead of a sales pitch. They listen, ask questions, and make sure everyone is on the same page before building something that not only looks great but also works for the client, the business, and its audience.

Inspired by the Tahoe Community

Peak Digital Studio works with clients nationwide, but its roots run deep in the Truckee/Tahoe area. They support the local AYSO, sponsor Chamber of Commerce events, and enjoy collaborating with other local businesses and non-profits. Many of their early projects came from word of mouth; beer koozies handed out at local events, conversations over coffee, and neighbors and friends who needed a better site.

That community connection led to big opportunities. Today, they design platforms for startups, rebuild e-commerce stores, and recently acquired Restaurant Den, helping independent restaurant owners build and manage responsive websites. They've also launched side projects like ski.camp and The Shack, a coworking space in Olympic Valley, as a way to keep experimenting and supporting the types of businesses they believe in.

Matt didn't set out to run a design studio; he just wanted to fix a broken system and help others avoid the same headaches. Today, Peak Digital Studio is the result of that journey.

They love their clients — founders, nonprofit directors, and small business owners who are clear on their mission but short on time. The ones who just want a site that works and responsiveness from a team they trust. And that's exactly what Peak delivers.