SiteSwan Reseller Interview with Kevin Cabe
Why He Chose SiteSwan Over a Franchise
Published on June 15, 2026
SiteSwan's Co-Founder, Justin Gerena, recently sat down with Kevin Cabe, an entrepreneur whose path into web design began as a search for an entirely different business opportunity.
Kevin wasn't looking to start a web design business. In fact, he was researching franchise opportunities and preparing to launch a remote cleaning company with his wife. After years in ministry and running a successful travel agency, he was searching for a business that could create additional income while giving his family more stability and flexibility.
What he found instead was SiteSwan.
After building a website for his cleaning company, Kevin realized he had stumbled upon something much bigger than he expected. Today, he has built a growing web design business with 11 recurring website clients in just over six months—all without making a single cold call.
More importantly, he's building a business that supports the life he truly wants: spending more time with his wife and two daughters while helping other small business owners succeed.
SiteSwan's Co-Founder, Justin Gerena, recently sat down with Kevin Cabe, an entrepreneur whose path into web design began as a search for an entirely different business opportunity.
Kevin wasn't looking to start a web design business. In fact, he was researching franchise opportunities and preparing to launch a remote cleaning company with his wife. After years in ministry and running a successful travel agency, he was searching for a business that could create additional income while giving his family more stability and flexibility.
What he found instead was SiteSwan.
After building a website for his cleaning company, Kevin realized he had stumbled upon something much bigger than he expected. Today, he has built a growing web design business with 11 recurring website clients in just over six months—all without making a single cold call.
More importantly, he's building a business that supports the life he truly wants: spending more time with his wife and two daughters while helping other small business owners succeed.
“I actually enjoyed making the [cleaning company] website and doing the tweaks. Then it hit me—I could do this for other people.”
- Kevin Cabe (Blue Ocean Design)
Overview
Kevin's entrepreneurial journey has never followed a traditional path.
For more than a decade, he served churches throughout New York City, helping connect ministry teams from around the country with local communities. Along the way, he launched a travel agency that allowed him to leverage the relationships and trust he had built through ministry.
His business network continued to grow, but so did his responsibilities at home. Kevin and his wife became foster parents and were eventually able to adopt two young girls, who are now thriving.
Like many entrepreneurs, Kevin understood the importance of creating multiple streams of income. When the travel industry was severely impacted in 2020, he experienced firsthand how quickly a successful business could be disrupted.
That experience led him to begin exploring additional business opportunities—eventually leading him down a path that would completely change his professional future.
The Challenge
After relocating to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kevin began researching franchise opportunities and business ventures that could provide long-term financial security for his family.
He worked with franchise brokers, explored online business marketplaces, and evaluated numerous opportunities.
The problem?
Most franchises required significant startup investments and came with operational challenges that didn't fit the lifestyle Kevin wanted to create.
“Every time I found something that interested me, I'd go to my wife and ask if she could see herself doing it with me. Every time it was, ‘No. No. No.’”
Eventually, they found an opportunity they both liked: a remote cleaning business.
The concept was simple. Kevin and his wife would handle the marketing, scheduling, and customer relationships while outsourced contractors performed the actual cleaning services.
They formed the business, obtained the necessary paperwork, opened bank accounts, and began preparing for launch.
Then they hit the next hurdle.
They needed a website.
Kevin started researching options online, asking for recommendations, and gathering quotes. The process quickly became frustrating.
Then, late one Friday night, he remembered seeing SiteSwan while researching business opportunities.
“I told my wife, ‘I'm putting this on our credit card. Here we go.’”
That decision would ultimately change the direction of his business journey.
The Solution
After signing up for SiteSwan, Kevin selected a cleaning company template and began building his website.
What surprised him wasn't just how quickly he was able to launch the site—it was how much he enjoyed the process.
“I found an amazing template for the cleaning company and built a website incredibly fast. Then it hit me that I could do this for other people.”
As he explored the platform further, Kevin realized that web design offered many of the same benefits that attracted him to the cleaning business, but with fewer moving parts and far greater scalability.
Instead of managing contractors, scheduling services, and handling day-to-day operations, he could focus on helping local businesses improve their online presence while building recurring revenue.
The more he learned about SiteSwan, the more convinced he became. He immersed himself in training resources, watched educational videos, attended coaching sessions, and followed SiteSwan's 14-Day Launch Plan.
Rather than cold calling, Kevin leveraged what had always come naturally to him: relationships.
His first client came through a referral from a friend. Additional clients came through Facebook posts, local community groups, LinkedIn connections, referrals, and local networking efforts.
As Kevin puts it:
“I'm a highly relational guy because nobody likes to be sold to. I'd rather get to know you as a person and what makes you tick.”
That relationship-first approach quickly became the foundation of Blue Ocean Design.
Results
In just over six months, Kevin has built a portfolio of 11 recurring website clients without making a single cold call.
His client acquisition strategy has centered around:
- Personal referrals
- Facebook community groups
- LinkedIn relationships
- Local networking
- Chamber of Commerce involvement
- SiteSwan's Prospecting Tool
- Organic website leads
One of his most exciting milestones came when a prospect found him through Google search.
“When I asked her how she found me, she said, ‘I just Googled you.’ That's when I realized this SEO thing really does work.”
Beyond websites, Kevin has also begun helping clients with:
- Google Business Profile optimization
- Social media strategy
- Branding and logo creation
- Small business consulting
- Digital marketing guidance
“The passive income that could be generated in this really spoke to me. Sometimes I pinch myself. We're driving to the mountains and money's hitting the bank. That's a blessing.”
Perhaps the most rewarding outcome has been seeing the impact his work is having on his clients' businesses.
One client recently told him:
“I've had more business in the last 90 days because of you.”
Another client reported being completely booked with new work after launching their new website.
For Kevin, those conversations are just as meaningful as the recurring revenue.
Building a Business Around Family
Unlike many entrepreneurs chasing rapid growth at all costs, Kevin has a different vision.
His goal isn't to build a massive agency.
His goal is freedom.
He currently balances three different roles: his travel business, ministry work, and Blue Ocean Design. Over time, he hopes to use his web design business to replace his part-time income while creating more flexibility for his family.
As the father of two adopted daughters, Kevin values being present for life's important moments.
“I'd love to work from home. I'd love to be there for my family even more.”
The recurring revenue model gives him confidence that he's building something sustainable—not just for himself, but for his family's future as well.
Conclusion
Kevin's story demonstrates that success in web design doesn't require a sales background, agency experience, or aggressive cold-calling tactics.
Instead, it highlights the power of relationships, consistency, and a willingness to take action when opportunities present themselves.
What began as a search for a franchise opportunity eventually became something far more aligned with Kevin's goals and values.
Today, he's building a business that allows him to serve others, create recurring income, and spend more time with the people who matter most.
Looking back, there's only one thing he wishes he had done differently:
“I should have gotten in sooner. The opportunity is there on a platter.”
And with 11 recurring clients already on the books, Kevin is just getting started.
Kevin Cabe’s 4 Keys to Building a Web Design Business Without Cold Calling
Kevin's success proves that cold calling isn't the only path to building a profitable web design business. His approach focuses on relationships, community involvement, and consistently putting himself in front of people who need help.
1. Leverage Your Existing Network
Kevin's first website client came from a simple referral.
Rather than selling directly to friends and family, he asked people in his network if they knew anyone who might need a new website.
That single introduction turned into his first paying client and created momentum for future growth.
2. Be Active in Your Community
Kevin regularly posts in local Facebook groups, participates in Chamber of Commerce events, and looks for opportunities to connect with fellow business owners.
His philosophy is simple:
“How can I serve you?”
By focusing on relationships first and sales second, opportunities naturally follow.
3. Become a Resource, Not Just a Website Provider
Many of Kevin's clients come to him for a website but stay because he helps them navigate other areas of business growth.
From Google Business Profiles to social media guidance and branding advice, Kevin positions himself as a trusted resource rather than simply a vendor.
4. Focus on Recurring Revenue
One of the reasons Kevin chose SiteSwan over a franchise opportunity was the recurring revenue model.
“The recurring revenue part of it is just incredible.”
Instead of constantly starting over each month, recurring revenue creates predictability, stability, and long-term growth.
For Kevin, that's helping turn a part-time business into a path toward greater freedom, flexibility, and family time.
“You can make of it what you will. If you want to go all in and sell a ton of websites, you can. But even part-time, it works.” — Kevin Cabe
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