From Frustration to Foundation – The Story of Graphicten
Graphicten was founded in 2010 by Michael Shihinski after seeing too many small businesses stuck with weak websites and ineffective digital strategies. The name combines “graphic” for visual excellence and “ten” for perfection, with a nod to the founding year. Over time, Graphicten expanded beyond web development to include print, custom apparel, embroidery, and promotional products, driven by co-owner Cristy Shihinski’s hands-on creative background and professional training. The goal has always been the same: give small businesses in Ocala and Central Florida a brand that is consistent, polished, and built to grow. Your brand deserves to be awesome.
A Problem Worth Solving
Every business deserves a strong brand. That belief is the reason Graphicten exists.
When Michael Shihinski founded Graphicten in 2010, he was driven by a frustration he could not ignore. Too many small businesses were getting subpar websites and digital strategies that held them back instead of helping them grow. Michael had spent years building websites and web applications, working with hundreds of businesses and watching many of them struggle to get the online presence they needed and deserved.
He decided to do something about it.
With deep expertise in both front-end and back-end development and a genuine passion for creating things that work beautifully, Michael set out to build a company that would give small businesses the tools and knowledge to compete, grow, and win.
What’s in a Name
The name Graphicten was chosen with purpose. The “graphic” side represents the commitment to visual excellence, creating brands that are not just functional but genuinely beautiful and attention-grabbing. The “ten” represents perfection, the goal of delivering a 10 out of 10 in everything the company produces.
There is also a second layer to it. Graphicten launched in 2010, and the name quietly honors that founding year. It is a small detail, but it speaks to the care and intention that has shaped the company from day one.
That philosophy eventually became the company tagline: Your brand deserves to be awesome.
Building More Than Websites
As Graphicten grew, Michael noticed something that kept coming up with clients. Their digital presence and their physical presence were telling two different stories. A business might have a solid website but hand out branded materials that looked completely disconnected from it.
The consistency that builds trust and recognition was missing.
The solution was to expand. Graphicten added print and promotional services to its offerings so businesses could keep their brand consistent, online and in person, through one partner they already trusted.
Cristy Brings the Creative Side to Life
At the center of Graphicten’s print and promotional division is Cristy Shihinski. Her creative drive and hands-on approach have shaped everything on the production side of the business.
What started as a personal passion for making custom apparel on the side turned into something much bigger. Cristy traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to take professional training courses in screen printing and custom apparel applications. That commitment to learning and doing things the right way led to Graphicten investing in its own equipment for embroidery, screen printing, and direct-to-film printing.
Everything is produced in-house. That is not just a detail. It is a philosophy. Keeping production internal means higher quality control, faster turnaround, and a level of pride in the finished product that you can only have when you own every step of the process.
Cristy brings more than technical skill to the table. Her background in crafting, graphic design, and creative problem-solving means she approaches every project with fresh eyes and a commitment to making it truly stand out.
Smart Tools for Small Business Growth
No two businesses are the same, and Michael has always believed that the strategy behind a brand should reflect that. Cookie-cutter solutions might be faster to deliver, but they rarely move the needle for businesses with specific goals and real challenges to solve.
That belief shapes how Graphicten approaches every client relationship. The team takes time to understand what each business is actually trying to accomplish, where they are struggling, and what success looks like for them specifically.
From there, the strategy is built around those answers.
What sets Graphicten apart is the ability to go beyond off-the-shelf options. With a deep background in software development, Michael can build custom solutions when a business needs something that simply does not exist yet.
If the right tool is not out there, it can be created.
Whether a business needs a stronger web presence, a more consistent brand across print and digital, or a completely custom-built solution, the approach is always the same.
Understand the goal, identify the gaps, and deliver something that actually works for that business.
Rooted in Ocala, Built for Every Business
Graphicten is based in Ocala, Florida, and the team is proud of that. Central Florida is full of hardworking business owners who are building something real. Being part of that community is not just a location on a map.
It is a relationship.
But the work does not stop at the city limits. Over the years, Graphicten has had the privilege of working with brands across the United States and in several countries around the world. From local storefronts in Marion County to businesses operating on a global stage, the commitment to quality and results stays the same no matter the zip code.
Those relationships, local and international alike, are what make the work meaningful. Seeing a business grow, watching a brand come to life, knowing that the tools and strategies put in place made a real difference.
That is what drives everything.
The Mission Has Not Changed
From the very first website to the latest custom embroidery order, everything Graphicten does comes back to one idea: Your brand deserves to be awesome.
Our team has grown. Our services have expanded. Our tools have gotten better.
But, the reason for doing this work has never changed. Small businesses deserve great branding, smart strategy, and a partner who actually cares about the outcome.
That is what Graphicten is built to deliver. Every single time.
