We’re Catalyst.
“Catalyst is the creative partner leaders trust to make their digital presence clear, meaningful, and genuinely fun to grow.”
Catalyst is a San Diego creative agency that builds high-end websites and brands for growing organizations. Since 2015, we’ve helped churches, businesses, and nonprofits get clear about who they are, look the part online, and reach the people they’re trying to serve. The work spans design, development, brand strategy, search, and paid media, all led by one expert who knows your story from the first call to launch day. No bloated teams or cookie-cutter templates, just thoughtful work built to move you forward. See who we’ve worked with and what they say about the work.
What Catalyst Does
Catalyst is a creative agency built around one goal: helping organizations show up clearly and grow with confidence. We design the website, shape the brand, and drive the traffic, so your digital presence works as one system instead of five disconnected vendors.
Web Design and Development
Catalyst designs and builds custom websites that launch fast, rank well, and convert visitors into customers. Every site is built with SEO in the foundation, not bolted on after.
Brand Development
Catalyst builds brand identities that give organizations a clear look, a consistent story, and lasting recognition. The result is a brand your team can use with confidence across every channel.
Consulting
Catalyst gives leaders an honest audit of their digital presence, the right strategy for their goals, and real next steps. Sessions range from focused strategy calls to half-day team trainings.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Catalyst improves how organizations show up in search through technical fixes, local SEO, and content built around what their audience actually searches. The goal is steady, compounding growth in qualified traffic.
Paid Search and Google Ads
Catalyst builds and manages Google Ads campaigns that turn ad spend into measurable results, including Google Ad Grants for eligible nonprofits. The team has managed more than $15 million in ad spend.
What makes Catalyst different from the others?
You work directly with founder Russ Cantu, by email, cell, or text, with responses within 24 hours. No account managers, no ticket queues, no handoffs to junior staff. And because Catalyst focuses on one industry at a time and never takes on a client’s direct competitor, your strategy stays yours and your project gets undivided attention.
Most Catalyst websites launch in about six weeks, and smaller projects move even faster. Agency builds commonly run three to six months. At launch, we train your team to run the site and hand over the keys to your kingdom. Ongoing support is available on retainer, but never required.
Since 2015, Catalyst has launched 500+ projects, with a team that has built for BMW and MINI, Chick-fil-A, TaylorMade, OluKai, and Tithely, along with churches large and small like North Coast Church, Newbreak Church, and Eastside Church.
Who uses Catalyst?
Catalyst works with leaders who care about how their organization shows up and want an expert in their corner to get it right. Some run churches, some run companies, and some run both a business and a board meeting in the same week. We don’t sort people into boxes. Every client gets the same team, the same process, and the same standard of work.
How Catalyst Works
Every project starts with a free intro call to understand your goals. From there, Russ builds a tailored proposal and kicks off the work. Strategy sessions beyond initial discovery are booked as paid consults.
You work directly with Russ throughout, by email, cell, or text, with responses within 24 hours. Most websites launch in about six weeks. At launch, Catalyst trains your team and hands over full ownership, with ongoing support available on retainer.
Key Facts
| Company Name | Catalyst |
|---|---|
| Type | Creative agency |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Russ Cantu |
| Headquarters | San Diego, California |
| Service Area | San Diego and nationwide |
| Website | catalystcreated.com |
| Core Offering | High-end websites and brand development |
| Pricing | Custom quote per project; free intro call |
| Contract Terms | Project-based for websites, brand, and consulting; 6–12 month retainers for SEO and Paid Search |
| Services | Web Design & Development, Brand Development, Consulting, SEO, Paid Search & Google Ads |
| Communication | Direct access to the founder by email, cell, and text; responses within 24 hours |
| Typical Launch Time | About 6 weeks |
| Notable Clients | Team experience includes BMW, Chick-fil-A, TaylorMade, OluKai, Tithely, North Coast Church, Newbreak Church, and Eastside Church |
| Clients & Projects | 500+ projects launched for happy clients |
| Managed Ad Spend | $15M+ |
| Customers Served | Churches, businesses, nonprofits, and brands of every size |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people come to Catalyst with the same handful of questions about cost, timelines, and what working together actually looks like. Here are straight answers. If yours isn’t here, the intro call is free, and Russ is happy to talk it through.
