About Leora & Kelly
The Webmistress began in 2010, back when I (Leora) could build websites solo. Then tech got too techy, so I put out feelers for a savvy collaborator — and found Kelly. For eight years we’ve been in long-distance working relationship, united by a shared love of good design and helping people. With Kelly in Sheffield and me in Bath, we’re glued together by email & Zoom, clear communication & collaborative clients … plus a shared love of cake and cats.
Leora Sharp
In the beginning
The early part of my career was steeped in the corporate world — working with big brands, to name but a few; BMW, Accenture, Orange, Coca-Cola, Liberty of London, Harvey Nicols, Jamie Oliver, Microsoft and the Irish National Lottery. This was during the birth of corporate web design, the early days of the internet for the masses! Does that give away my age? I started out in Johannesburg and London, with exciting stints in Chicago, San Francisco and Dublin.
The shift
But after a decade of schmoozing in the corporate jungle, I felt a pull to work in the heart centred world.
And so I trained in holistic massage and bodywork. That shift wasn’t just about career — it was about values. I wanted to support people through times of challenge and change and help create a happier, healthier world.
Through working in the field, I met many wellbeing business owners who seemed lost when it came to web ‘stuff’. So, I returned to web design — this time with a mission: to help these small business owners feel empowered and supported with their online endeavours. These are the qualities we now take through to working with any small business.
Fingers in other pies
Along the way, massage created strain in my body and I found Hands Free Massage Training which helped me work without strain. I loved it do much that I trained as a teacher, so I could help others save their bodies too.
I’ve also led other workshops and created and facilitated community groups – experiences that have deepened my understanding of the educational, relational, organisational, and sales aspects of running a small business.
Shaken & stirred
If I had to put a number on it, I’d say The Webmistress is about 85% of my working life. The rest is a splash of teaching and a dash of massage — just enough to keep my skills primed.
It’s a cocktail I love: equal parts connection, care, and helping people feel more confident in their work. Some of it happens at a desk, some on a massage table — but all of it lets me support people in meaningful, empowering ways.
This blend keeps me balanced, creative, grounded and always learning – shaken and stirred, with purpose.
Kelly Dorset
It wasn’t supposed to be tech…
I started out doing a Genetics degree, intending on doing lab work, but this was at the same time as the WWW just started going so making webpages was a fun thing to do at the same time!
Then, after graduation, I ended up working at an IT reseller looking after their website. This progressed from front end work, till eventually backend coding and scripting before eventually I was promoted away from the sharp end and into management.
15 years of technical and servicement management, plus a 2 year dabble in my own start up running an instant messager system left me feeling a bit burnt out so I took an opportunity to change my working pattern and retrain a bit.
It’s retraining time!
Holistic and Sports Massage was a significant shift for me, working with and directly with people, rather than hidden away in an office.
It wasn’t long though before I was getting back into web work though as I needed my own website, and it seemed a sensible way to help other people in their businesses.
Since then I’ve added Run Coaching to my porfolio!
Why choose us?
Our ethos and intention for working together
Choosing the right team
When you are looking for a web team, it’s important to find someone with whom you really gel; someone that ‘gets you’. You want to be able to enjoy a long-term working relationship.
It’s also essential to be on the same page when it comes to how your web team works, so that you’re all comfortable and aligned every step of the way.
Your team is there to support you in your business, especially if you are self employed or run a small business. Having reliable support means you don’t have to face the challenges of your business alone.
Think of your web team like a long-term business partner, someone you can trust, communicate with openly and who you can rely on when things get busy or uncertain. The right team doesn’t just build your website; they walk alongside you, offering steady support so you don’t have to navigate the ups and downs of small business life alone.
How we work
Our working relationships are built on trust, honesty and mutual understanding. We value open, clear, and respectful communication and we prefer to talk things through when challenges arise (unless written explanations are needed for technical clarity).
We bring faith and trust to our process and we accept the ebb and flow of the digital world and the problems that come with it … and we ask you to do the same.
The internet is everchanging, and some things will always be beyond our control. We’ll work closely with you to navigate uncertainty and find the best possible outcome.
We’re collaborative by nature, grounded in integrity, and committed to creating a safe, supportive space for growth. And with a combined 49 years of experience, we love sharing the depth of knowledge we’ve gathered along the way. We do this by empowering our clients to co-create and manage their websites with us.
PHOTO CREDIT: Cyrus Gomez