If your heart’s ever sunk over an unhappy client and you rushed straight into fix-it mode, this one’s for you. I’m walking you through a powerful visualization that helps you shift from reactive and emotional… to grounded and fact-led. This isn’t about being cold or robotic...it’s about reclaiming your role as the leader of your design business.
We’re unpacking:
Why fear-based responses sabotage your authority
The mindset shift that helps you stay calm and confident
How to handle difficult client feedback without spiraling
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I’m joined by Mikelle Morrison and Nick Longo from The Deeply Graphic Designcast to talk about how they built their design businesses in the early 2000s before Instagram or short form content were a thing.
We get into:
– What marketing looked like back then– How they've stayed booked without relying on social media– And what today’s designers can learn from the OG way of doing things
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Pull up a seat for this live hot seat coaching session where we worked with 7 designers on the real challenges holding their businesses back from social media to pitching clients. This is the kind of unfiltered, straight-to-the-point advice we give every other Monday inside Social Butterfly Club. If you want feedback on your design business, click the link below to become a member!
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Discover how a small team scaled from 3 employees to $100K+/month selling $59 websites (yes, you read that correctly). In this episode, we dive into how they turned creativity into a productized service and what they're building now that has me switching my entire project management system. If you're a designer, you’ll want to hear this!
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In this episode, I sit down with Bailey from Honey Wave Creative to dig into the fast-paced world of 'Design in a Day.' I ask the questions many designers are thinking but rarely say out loud...How is strategy implemented? What’s actually being delivered? And what is this saying about the value of creativity? Whether you're curious, skeptical, or considering this model yourself, this convo gets into the real stuff.
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I used to think networking was awkward and icky until I realized I was just in the wrong rooms. In this episode, I'm sharing my top 3 tips for unlocking your extroverted energy (yes, even if you're shy) and how to make networking actually feel fun, natural, and game-changing for your business.
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We’ve coached hundreds of designers inside Design Biz Academy University, which means we’ve seen the most common mistakes that are costing creatives the sale. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down exactly what those missteps are, so you can skip the trial-and-error and start closing clients with confidence.
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Jenna decided to run ads during a slower season in her design business and the results were game-changing. Within just a few months, her books were full and she was able to turn them off entirely.
In this episode, we dive into how ads can amplify a solid business foundation, and why they’re not a quick fix for deeper issues that need real strategy.
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Bethany escaped a cult that taught women were only meant to be wives and mothers. She rebuilt her life, launched her own multi-six figure design business, and now empowers other women to reclaim their independence and step into their power.
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In this episode we are breaking down the difference between surface-level get rich quick “schemes” and real mentorship that actually moves the needle in your design business. If you’ve ever felt burned by online education, this one’s for you.
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Hali is juggling life with three toddlers and launched her graphic design business less than a year ago. With a niche focus on photographers, she landed her very first client at $600. Fast forward, and she’s now celebrating her first $3,500 project, all by implementing the proven strategies we teach inside Design Biz Academy.
In this breakdown, Hali shares exactly which pieces of the DBA framework created the biggest shift in her business and how she’s already setting her sights on her first $5K client.
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Melissa’s story is proof that where you start doesn’t define where you can go. From losing her mom to battling limited Wi-Fi access in Cuba, she still found the strength to pursue her business, join Design Biz Academy, and ended up booking her first $11K client.
Her journey is nothing short of inspiring.
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Meg Burk shares how she started her design business, By Meg Burk, how font creation grew her income, and how it led to a dream project with Kendra Scott.
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We’ve all heard it: $500 clients are picky, while the $5K clients barely think twice. But why does this happen? We’re diving into the financial psychology behind this stereotype, unpacking the mindset shifts, value perceptions, and energy dynamics that shape how clients show up at different price points.
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The most successful designers have one thing in common: an empowered mindset. They don’t get stuck and complain, they find solutions to keep it moving when challenges arise. In this episode, we’re calling out the victim mentality that keeps so many creatives broke, overwhelmed, and burned out. If you’re constantly blaming your circumstances, you’re giving away your power.
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Not every design project works out...even the ones you're most excited about. This episode is a reminder to trust your gut because sometimes, you and a client just aren’t the right match and that’s okay. It’s business, not personal.
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Last year, I poured nearly $10,000 into rebranding my own design business—hiring a copywriter, planning a full-scale photoshoot, revamping my website, and even bringing in another brand designer for support. I went all in, expecting a seamless transformation. But reality had other plans. Here’s what worked, what flopped, and what I’ve learned from this experience.
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I'm using something completely new to book clients in 2025—something I’ve never done before. And no, it doesn’t require sending weekly newsletters or posting every single day. In this episode, I’m breaking down this fresh strategy, how it works, and why it might just be the game-changer you’ve been looking for!
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From my beginnings as a freelancer to evolving into an established high-ticket designer and educator, I've gained invaluable insights into what it truly takes to become an industry leader. Today, I want to shed light on some of the challenges you'll face when stepping into this role.
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Right now, I could take an entire year off from my design business, and it would continue paying me as if I was working full time. I know many freelancers hesitate to take the leap, fearing there's no financial security in running their own business so today I want to share how I've been able to do this as a solo designer with no team or digital products.
How Minimalism Changed My Life
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