Studio · Two partners
Two cousins. One studio.
A&C Meridian is family-run. Stephen runs design and engineering from Maryland. Michael runs client work from New York. We started before the first client signed. Everything on this site reflects that.
Partner I
Design & Engineering
A · Maryland
SA
Stephen Alatriste
Stephen is a U.S. Air Force veteran. He served in signals intelligence and digital network analysis (1N4X1). After service, he taught himself design and engineering.
At A&C he runs the build: wireframes, color, typography, code, performance, technical SEO. Every project starts in a blank file. No templates. No reused designs.
USAF VeteranFront-EndTechnical SEOSelf-taught
Partner II
Strategy & Client Lead
C · New York
MC
Michael Cortes
Michael was a Manhattan doorman for years before moving into business development. The work is people, all day: contractors, vendors, packages, residents, guests at any hour.
At A&C he runs the relationship: the first call, the written scope, the steady contact through the build. Before any code gets written, he figures out what your site needs to say.
After launch, both partners share ongoing client support.
NYC NativeClient LeadStrategySelf-taught
Why we do this
The small-business web is mostly templates and subscription traps.
We started A&C Meridian because most small-business websites in 2026 are built on platforms the owner doesn't control, by an agency they'll never speak to again, on a monthly fee that compounds for fifteen years that nobody remembers paying for.
We thought we could do better with two people, custom code, and the discipline to ship work we'd put our names on. The company is family. Our names are on the door.