Cider House traces its origins back to California, starting in 2003 when Lennie Appelquist established a small website design venture, FreeMarket Media Group, nestled in Topanga California, a serene town perched in the hills outside Los Angeles. Initially a side project while not assisting as a director’s right hand on movie sets, it soon burgeoned into his passion pursuit. Unbeknownst at the time, Lennie uncovered his flair for coding and an affinity for captivating design.

The pivotal moment arrived when a simple query halted him in his tracks – "How much to craft a website for me?" With enthusiasm fueling him, Lennie delved into envisioning his response. Over time, as his skills and ardor for the business flourished, so did his aspirations of company expansion. Initially occupying multiple roles – designer, coder, writer, and proprietor – his trajectory shifted dramatically with Elizabeth's entrance into his life, eventually becoming his life partner.

Elizabeth's decision to uproot from her native Easthampton, Massachusetts, where she was a stone's throw from her aging parents, was a testament to her commitment. Her relocation to California in 2009, with her belongings crammed into her compact vehicle along with her two furry companions, marked the dawn of a new phase.

United in their vision, Lennie and Elizabeth metamorphosed FreeMarket Media Group into a Design Agency, a move that catalyzed the company's ascent. With their collaboration, the business soared to new heights, embodying the belief that synergy between two minds eclipses individual effort.