Below are some examples of various offline and online design work I have completed, which includes website design, instructional design, glass designs, catalog spread, logo creation, direct mail design, business cards, and product cut sheets.

Local Area Network (LAN) Administrator for the Wells Fargo Real Estate Group in Washington, DC.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) webserver management (Unix and Windows NT/2000) and technical support.

Web and Print Designer for 12+ years which evolved from focusing only on graphics and using web page layout software to hand coding, then custom programming and database design.

Small Business Consulting and Coaching on just about anything related to business and technology.  A majority of my consulting work involves marketing strategy, project management, technology roll out planning, business process improvement, team building, and time management.

Small – Medium size Business Marketing Consulting with a focus on integrating offline and online initiatives, e-mail database marketing campaign analysis and design, gaining search awareness, search engine optimization, organic search engine marketing, and key message development.

• Miscrosoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, & Outlook
• QuickBooks, QuickBooks Point of Sale
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Fireworks
• Adobe DreamWeaver, Contribute
• Adobe Acrobat (forms & data collection)
• CSS, XHTML
• ColdFusion
• Database Design
• Content Development
• Instructional Design
• Search Engine Optimization
• Organic Search Engine Marketing
• WordPress
• Joomla!
• Mambo

I will always look out for your best interests – no hidden agenda, ever.

As an independent consultant with 13 years experience in web technologies, marketing, and sales, I can help you navigate and cut through the clutter. I will provide you with information, insights, and options so you can make the best decisions.  Because fragmented approaches often fail, I seek to provide a holistic, appropriate solution to meet your specific objectives and needs.  To that end, I am capable of providing a wide range of Internet and marketing related services to you directly, through my network of professionals, or whomever you select. Rest assured in knowing that I aim to match the best talent to your needs, even if that means working with someone other than me.  (I believe I have a lot to offer businesses, but I realize I am not a perfect fit for everyone.)

“Mary Chhay helped the SRC get started when we didn’t have a clue, only a vision, then helped enormously to make our dreams come true. My wife and I entered this industry with strong educational backgrounds, but little-to-no business know-how or experience. Her goals were simple — to get us up-and-running and profitable as quickly as possible, and then give us the foresight to maintain our dominance in the marketplace. Starting with baby steps, Mary showed us the way with an uncommon combination of intelligence, personal skills, and technical expertise that I’ve not found elsewhere in the business world either before or since. In the beginning she handled most of the technical aspects of our company, allowing us to focus on content and customers, then trained us in the tools to run the business ourselves at a substantial savings. As we got smarter and more experienced, Mary turned our business decisions over to us. During our ten-year business relationship her advice has always been cutting-edge, with only our best interests at heart. In summary, consider yourself fortunate if Mary Chhay accepts you as her client.”

Peter R. Mouton, Ph.D.
Director & Chief Scientific Officer
Stereology Resource Center, Inc.

Are We a Good Fit?

You recognize the potential of the Internet and how it can dramatically impact your business.  You know that consumers get what they want when they want it.  You also know that you can position your business to be there the exact moment potential customers are looking for your exact product.  You know businesses who are using technology to streamline processes, cut down on costs, get more business.

You know this because you’ve connected with people and products you would have missed out on if it weren’t for search engines or a marketing email that compelled you to click.

You’ve heard about online social networking, search engine optimization, brand strategy, key marketing messages, email database marketing, and how they’re foundational to your business.  But, you are busy running your business and don’t have the time or resources required to accomplish these things.  Who do you trust?  How do you know if you are making the right decision?  Is this solution in line with your business model?  Is it sustainable?

Marketing today is full of contradictions depending on who you ask.  It’s easy, yet sophisticated.  It changes so fast, but not really.  The truth is it is all of those things and more.  It’s good, bad, and everything in between.  Winning in the marketplace is about knowing who you are, what you want, and being selective about how you use tools and technology.

Perhaps you want to work with an experienced independent consultant who understands how all the puzzle pieces fit together with laser focus on you and your best interests?  If so, let’s talk.

My interest in business started at a very young age.  Most of my childhood was spent working in the different family businesses where I learned a lot about a lot of different things.  I remember standing on a plastic milk crate and racing to punch the keys on the cash register as quickly as I could so that I would have to wait for the printer to catch up at the age of 7.  My siblings and I enjoyed seeing the surprise on the customer’s faces who asked for a receipt and saw that it was 100% accurate.

We had fun because we knew no different, and I enjoyed thinking of ways to do things better, more efficiently.  I wanted to help and make a difference.  I shared in the struggles and triumphs of being a part of a family of entrepreneurs, and discovered that I too have this entrepreneurial spirit.

I figure anything worth doing is worth doing well.  Even when I was cleaning out the chicken fryer in high school – it was sparkling!  My friends wondered why I even cared.  Even then I appreciated the satisfaction of taking pride in one’s work.  I also knew that I would not clean deep fryers beyond high school – that I was sure of.

Fast forward a couple of decades: I am thrilled to be living my dream of helping other small to medium sized businesses achieve their dreams.  I am inspired by business men and women with vision, and am passionate about being a part of setting ideas in motion and navigating through the highs and lows on the road to success.

I’ve been on a quest for continuity between my professional and private life, where passion, positivity, adaptability, communication, creative problem solving, and teamwork rule.  Being an Independent Consultant connected to a network of talented individuals and organizations that are effective has brought me greater satisfaction than I’d hoped for.  The icing on the cake are my clients.  We connect, communicate, and achieve wonderful things together.  I get to join teams, be a part of making someone’s hopes and dreams a reality, watch it bloom, then do it all over again.

In a world filled with impersonal communication and people performing narrow, specific tasks, I am happy to engage.  To connect.  To bring a fresh perspective.  To put my various experiences, breadth of knowledge, and network of professionals to work for you.  Let’s work together!

Other Interests: yoga, fitness, cooking, self-improvement, conservation and sustainability, traveling, smart design, fine art, fashion, reading and expansion in general.