Hello
I’m Anne Scharlow
Owl Studio is my digital consulting agency based in Cape Town, South Africa, offering bespoke digital solutions for brands with soul.
I empower small to medium-sized businesses with performance-driven, user-focused digital experiences, with a particular focus on websites, alongside online stores, newsletters, and streamlined cloud-based workflows.
My approach is rooted in creating thoughtful digital foundations that bring clarity, momentum, and ease for both my clients and their customers.
About
There is a lot to learn in the world, but ultimately you have to find your own authentic way of doing business.
Hi, I’m Anne Scharlow, founder of Owl Studio.
I’m a German living in South Africa — a life choice that has been more rewarding than I could ever have imagined. Over the course of my career, I’ve worked at some of the leading digital agencies, supporting respected clients and shaping high-performing digital experiences.
Today, through Owl Studio, I support what I call “Brands with Soul” — businesses with a kind vision for people and the planet, offering products or services built on integrity and heart.
On a more personal note, agency life has been an incredible learning journey. But at a certain point, I realised that my best work happens when I honour a true work-life balance. Being German has always meant striving for precision and quality — values that can feel at odds with the profit-driven pace of the agency world.
Running my own business has given me the freedom to work within my own parameters. It has been deeply rewarding. I’ve learned to choose clients I genuinely believe in, to prioritise the bigger picture over politics, and — perhaps most importantly — to make space for what feeds my soul and brings me joy.
Skills
A passion for both strategy and execution — always inspired by creativity in motion.
I help brands move from idea to launch by balancing the big picture with the detailed steps that make a website project successful. As a UX strategist and digital consultant, my favourite tool in the digital toolbox is wireframing — it’s where strategy becomes structure.
I collaborate closely with key stakeholders, designers, and developers to develop the website vision and translate it into a clear information structure through wireframes. I also work alongside SEO and content specialists, ensuring the website experience is aligned with strong content strategy and performance goals. When a talented designer joins this process, the world of ideas and digital dreams becomes something tangible — a creative transformation that never ceases to fascinate me.
But my role often doesn’t stop there. With a keen eye for detail, I work closely with development teams to bring designs to life, and I support testing and troubleshooting to ensure everything performs as intended. Guided by the bird’s-eye view, I bring clarity, focus, and intention to every project.
Ultimately, my goal is to create digital solutions that feel clear, grounded, and easy to use — for my clients and their customers.
With over 18 years of experience in digital marketing, I’ve developed a few favourite platforms that consistently support strong results for my clients—whether through strategy, implementation, or performance optimisation.
The Google marketing suite is hard to avoid — and for good reason. From Google Analytics and Search Console to Drive and Docs, many businesses (large and small) rely on Google to collaborate and stay organised. Building on tools you’re already comfortable with helps keep things simple, efficient, and accessible.
WordPress is a long-standing favourite content management system, valued for its flexibility, ease of use, and strong global developer support.
A strong wireframing tool that helps stakeholders visualise the future website and collaborate easily throughout the process. Figma is a comparable alternative.
Email is a personal, trusted space for communication—particularly for small businesses. Mailchimp makes it easy to create thoughtful campaigns, whether you’re keeping things simple or building more sophisticated flows.
The digital ecosystem includes a range of powerful add-on platforms that enable professional product sales and service delivery. Platforms like Shopify and Teachable are particularly suited to smaller businesses, offering easy setup and scalable growth.
Services
“Working with Anne has been a dream come true. She’s always got her finger on pulse, is super professional with time lines and most important of all is intuitive to what my real needs are for growing my business holistically. Anne has given more than just digital brand integration but has helped me develop my online presence at my own pace, and be more tech confident at the same time. She brings all her skills to a project with dedication, a great sense of humor and honesty. I highly recommend working with her.”
Kate Muller, Small Soul Business Owner
Digital agencies with global client sets have been my professional playground for almost a decade. Today, I’m focused on empowering small- to medium-sized businesses.
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Hello Owl Studio
Being my own boss — and loving it.
Owl Studio offers strategic consulting as well as hands-on support to get things done on a practical, day-to-day level.2014+ -
Director of Data & Insights
iProspect South Africa
Entrusted with leading the Data & Insights team, I was tasked with delivering integrated, data-driven insights across Bought, Earned, and Owned media.2013 -
Director of Product Management
iProspect South Africa
Tasked with filling this interim position to drive iProspect South Africa into smooth alignment with the global brand mandate and ambition.2012 -
Conversion Director
Clickthinking
My team delivered web strategies for conversion-focused digital clients, along with advanced analysis and performance reviews - data and UX always at the core.2011 -
Digital Specialist & Team Lead
Acceleration
My digital marketing experience has been shaped by email marketing and web analytics implementations, using leading tools of the time to support large international client sets.2007
Experience
Fun Facts
Data and numbers are central to my work. Here are a few fun facts — keeping it real, and keeping it balanced.
Contact
Limited availability – 100% commitment.
I accept only a small number of projects per year, ensuring each is handled with priority and precision.
Based on the Cape Peninsula, I’m available for meetings via video or in person. I offer both hourly and project-based rates, and you’ll find that my efficiency and productivity work in your favour. I look forward to supporting your business on its mission with enthusiasm and integrity.