Colourful, nerdy, smart, goofy, hardworking.

According to the people who've actually worked with me.

Illustrated surfer bursting through a portal
Liam Carmichael, founder of Highlighter Studio

Hi, I'm Liam.

I spent years at Shopify working across thousands of ecommerce stores — learning what actually moves the needle and what's just noise. Now I run Highlighter Studio, where I work directly with DTC founders and small teams who care about building something sustainable.

I started this because I kept seeing the same problem: brands hiring agencies that play telephone between you and the person doing the work. Six people on a call, nobody can make a decision. I wanted to build something different — one operator, full-stack expertise, no layers.

I work with a small number of clients at any given time. That's intentional. I punch above my weight class and make a habit of over-delivering. Every client gets my direct attention — not a junior's first draft with my name on it.

110+

Shopify stores built

8

Years on Shopify

5★

Average client rating

85%

Clients on retainer

How I think about the work

01

Your business, my homework

I don't have all the answers — I have great questions. The best results come from combining your knowledge of your business with my knowledge of the platform. I do the homework before I give advice.

02

Design is how it works

Customer experience is everything. I bring UX methodology to ecommerce — thoughtful digital experiences that make people want to buy, come back, and tell their friends.

03

I'll tell you what I actually think

If something doesn't move the needle, I'll say so — even if it means less work for me. You're paying for honest counsel, not a yes-person. That's the whole point of hiring someone with experience.

04

Retention over acquisition

I help brands build the channels they own — their store, their email list, their customer relationships. Rented audiences disappear when the algorithm changes. Owned channels compound.

Don't take my word for it.

Shopify

"Nothing short of remarkable. A master at uncomplicating daunting tasks and executing flawlessly."

Andrew Lucas Basic Maintenance
Shopify

"Incredibly experienced, skilled, efficient, and professional. The website is beautiful and seamless."

Willo Downie February Jewellery
Shopify

"A breath of fresh air. Intelligent, concise, and wielding broad understanding of design and function."

Bohdan Chreptak Biion Footwear
Shopify

"Couldn't be happier. An expert on building websites and customer experience."

Chris Donovan Chris Donovan Footwear

Built with

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