Meet Sean Fitzgerald.
"I've never wanted to build the biggest Agency, just the most helpful one."
From Print Magazines to Smart Websites.
My career started in 1997, after earning my design degree, back when much of the creative process just started moving from by-hand to digital.
My first job was at AutoMart Magazine, where our small production team put together more than 50 pages of advertisements every single week. It was fast-paced, deadline-driven work — you had to think creatively, solve problems, and deliver professional results on time.
That experience taught me a lot about design, efficiency, and the importance of understanding what a customer is trying to accomplish.
Over the years, I worked professionally in graphic design while taking on freelance projects — creating everything from business logos and print advertisements to marketing collateral and custom-branded apparel.
I learned that good design isn't simply about making things attractive. It's about communicating clearly, building trust, and helping a business present itself professionally. Those same principles still guide everything I do today.
Good Design Should Work-Together Everywhere
Long before I started building websites, I was helping businesses establish their identities through logos, advertising, signs, and branded apparel. And I still enjoy that work today.
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to create designs for businesses throughout Buffalo and Western New York — from the logos that represent them to the signs on their buildings and the apparel their employees wear. There's something rewarding about driving through town and seeing work you've created out in the real world.
But there's also an important connection between that work and what I do with websites today. Your website shouldn't feel like it belongs to a different company than the one on your trucks, storefront, or business cards. The colors, typography, imagery, and overall personality should feel consistent wherever customers encounter your business.
That's where my background in graphic design becomes especially valuable. When I build a SmartSite, I'm not just arranging text and pictures on a screen. I'm thinking about how your business presents itself as a whole.
A Partner for Buffalo Businesses.
Logos, ads, signs, and custom apparel created for local businesses over the years.
Hamburg Village Bike Pub Crawl — Event Design
Boss Landscaping — Apparel & Branding
Pioneer on the Lake — Logo & Brand Identity
Eden Valley Growers — Website
Hamburg Senior Class Lawn Sign — Custom Yard Sign
RISE Fitness Studio — Website
Curtiss-Wright — Custom Leather Patch Hats
Azuna Fresh — Product Packaging & Label Design
Relaxation Station — Website
The Village Pizza & Pints — Mascot Logo & Brand Identity
EVL & South Buffalo — Original Stickers & Apparel
Colley's Pools & Spas — Custom Yard Signs
The Tools Changed. The Fundamentals Didn't.
As technology evolved, so did my work. I became involved with digital marketing tools and customer-management systems, including helping implement HubSpot for two employers. I've also worked with ActiveCampaign, ClickFunnels, and Wix.
Interestingly, my journey into website building really took off when I needed a website for my own business. Like many new business owners, I started with Wix. I already understood design and branding — what I needed was a way to bring those skills online without becoming a full-time programmer.
That experience gave me an appreciation for what small business owners face when trying to build and manage their own websites. There's no shortage of tools available, but figuring out which ones you actually need — and getting them to work together — can become a project all by itself.
I realized that most local business owners don't want to spend their evenings learning website software, troubleshooting forms, or figuring out automated follow-up. They want a professional website that works, someone they trust to help maintain it, and more time to focus on running their business.
That's the thinking behind Gung Ho Local today.
Need a Little More Than a Website? I Can Help With That, Too.
SmartSites are the main focus at Gung Ho Local, but websites aren't the only things I design. If your business needs a refreshed logo, updated signage, or branded apparel to go along with your new website, you don't necessarily need to find another designer.
Depending on the project, I can also help with:
Logo Design & Branding
New business logos, logo refreshes, color schemes, and consistent visual identities.
Business Signs & Graphics
Design for storefront signs, banners, vehicle graphics, and other business signage.
Branded Apparel
Artwork for company shirts, hats, uniforms, and promotional clothing.
Print & Marketing Materials
Business cards, brochures, flyers, advertisements, and other promotional materials.
These services are available by request and quoted separately from SmartSites. Whether you need one piece of artwork or want to bring your website and existing branding together, I'm happy to discuss the possibilities.
One reliable partner for your business.
Your Business Deserves a Partner You Can Count On.
Whether you're starting a new business, replacing an outdated website, or ready for something that does a little more, I'd be happy to share some ideas.
Gung Ho Local -
One Reliable Partner in Buffalo NY