We’re a creative agency with an expertise in crafting custom websites.
Founded in 2006, Coulee Creative is a crafty team of designers, developers, copywriters and strategists located throughout the United States and headquartered in La Crosse, WI. We work with motivated clients across a wide range of sectors including established brands, universities, non-profits, startups and entrepreneurs.
[ coo-lee cree-ey-tiv ] People who work hard, like to have fun and genuinely give a sh*t about you.
Coulee Creative believes in the impact great design can bring, especially when it evokes emotion and excitement to help tell your story. Why work with Coulee Creative? Because work should be fun, free of assholes and egos. We become an extension of your team, comrads, friends in work and often in life. It’s about listening, understanding, strategizing and implementing something bold, impactful and effective without losing sight of what matters most in each unique situation.
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About.
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What we do.
We have more services
than a massage parlor in Chinatown.
Strategy & Story
Beauty and brawn only get you so far.
The right message engages your audience, sets your brand apart and helps you achieve your goals. We’re experts in crafting websites that drive results, have personality and are beautifully designed. We work with you, solving existing problems, uncovering new opportunities and helping you tell your story in a way that’s authentic.
Web & Graphic Design
More than just making things look prrrty.
Great design is more than just aesthetics. It can change the way we feel about a company and the products and services they offer. We employ thoughtful design to create a meaningful experience for your brand.
Web Development
The stuff you don't notice until it doesn't work.
Just like building brick and mortar, well-written code makes the difference in whether it will stand the test of time, and of course, various browsers and screen sizes. We develop custom websites and e-commerce solutions on multiple platforms to provide you with the best fit for your website project’s needs.
Video & Photography
Say cheese!
Your impact is based on the story you tell and the picture you paint. Video and photography are invaluable assets that compliment great design and thoughtfully written copy. We craft videos and shoot photography that has personality and matches your brand voice.
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Our story.
Meet The Founders
Howdy! We’re Jared and Melissa, the co-founders of Coulee Creative. We met years ago at an advertising agency where we learned a ton of dos and some don’ts. There were project deadlines, happy hours, client proposals and a few sparks flying. One big proposal, but that was year's after our good ‘ol ad agency days. We founded Coulee Creative in 2006 and over the last decade we’ve worked closely with clients to help them stand out, building the best damn websites possible. Running a business together presents its challenges, but the benefits are pretty awesome.
Partners in life, and in business.
We’ve built a solid foundation, both personally and professionally, by following a few simple guidelines: treat others with respect, communicate openly and be grateful. We carry these principles over into how we work with our team and our clients because every solid relationship needs a good foundation.
JC
Jared Chelf
Jared Chelf is the founder and creative director of Coulee Creative. With over a decade of web design experience, he is responsible for some of the most recognized websites on the internet and is currently a web design judge at CSSDA. An avid biker, Jared logs more miles on Strava than his car.
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Melissa Chelf
Melissa Chelf is an account manager and marketing specialist at Coulee Creative. She has over 15 years experience in vital marketing leadership including marketing director for PREIT Malls and marketing specialist at Gunderson Hospital. A lover of fine wine, good company, and her two children.
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Contributors.
A flock of designers, developers, artists and strategic thinkers.
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Misha Chitharanjan
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Nick Franchi
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Paul Bjorge
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Gene Ross
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Nick Ano
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Hello Wisconsin.
Work. Live. Play.
Coulee Creative is nestled in between the bluffs of the Driftless Region and the shores of the Mississippi River in La Crosse, WI. Our small city is full of character and has been featured in national publications for quality of living.
The best kept secret between Chicago and Minneapolis.
We're not in San Francisco, NYC, Seattle or Austin. Cost of living is low, people are friendly and traffic is non-existent. Coulee Creative is in a small city nestled on the Mississippi River with big hills and huge ambitions. La Crosse is best known for it's riverside park, biking & hiking trails, boating and historic downtown.
A peek into downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin. Fun fact, at one time La Crosse had the most bars per capita of any city in the United States.
