Behind the Design

As creatives, we often find ourselves juggling multiple projects, ideas, and responsibilities, which can lead to stress and burnout. But what if I told you that by implementing just a few key habits, you could not only enhance your productivity but also enjoy the process more? These habits are not one-size-fits-all; they can be tailored to fit your unique lifestyle and creative process. So, if you...

Are you chasing clients down to pay their invoices every month? Do you feel like your finances are all over the place and it's hard to predict your monthly revenue? Or do you just want a simpler way to get paid every single month without any hassle. Over the years of running my Current, I've tried multiple different payment methods. Split payments when project phases are completed, monthly install...

Audrey Saccone is a multifaceted marketer, technologist, and entrepreneur. After beginning her career at OPERA America, Audrey's work in email marketing, front-end development, and event operations laid the groundwork for her work with leaders including Marie Forleo and Sophia Amoruso. As a part of those teams, she led significant projects including the sold-out NYC book launch for Forleo’s "Every...

If you’re a parent, entrepreneur, or anyone trying to balance multiple roles, you know how challenging it can be to manage your time effectively while keeping stress at bay. Since having Lila, I’ve had to get really intentional about how I structure my work week. I’m a firm believer that you don’t need to work around the clock to be successful. In fact, by working part-time with a solid plan, I've...

In this episode we'll dive into key strategies for an effective client onboarding process for designers. Learn how to streamline your workflow with an essential onboarding email, a simple client hub in ClickUp, and a crucial kickoff call to set clear boundaries and avoid miscommunication. Olivia also shares valuable tools like a client video portal using Kajabi or Loom, and resources from her onli...

In this episode of Behind the Design , I’m diving into a topic that’s been on many designers’ minds—how to bounce back after a slow season in business. This year has been challenging for many, including myself, as my studio, Current , saw a slower-than-usual July and August. While it’s comforting to know we’re not alone, at the end of the day, we still need to make money and keep the business movi...

Join me as I celebrate seven years in business, from starting in 2017 to going full-time in 2019 to today. In this episode, Olivia dives into the seven crucial lessons she's learned over the years, touching on resilience, daily habits, the importance of knowing your numbers, and more. Olivia also offers practical advice for new entrepreneurs and reflects on her vision for the future. Don't...

In this episode,I dive deep into the behind-the-scenes experience of launching my first course, Studio Growth Accelerator. I cover the entire journey from preparation to execution, including successes, challenges, and valuable lessons learned. Whether you're thinking of creating a passive income stream in your business or are curious about different marketing strategies, find out what worked,...

In this episode, we're ditching hustle culture and going in-depth on what it actually takes to work less and make more as a brand and website designer. Forget the hustle—it's time to discover how strategic shifts in your business can lead to more freedom and higher profits. We’ll debunk the myths of hustle culture and explore the essential steps to streamline your processes, attract high-p...

The path to my first six figures as a brand and website designer was rocky and in the 7 years of building, running and scaling my design studio haven't been linear. However, once I ditched what wasn't working and refined what was, my business and LIFE changed forever. In today's episode I'm breaking down the 5 Pillars of a Multi-Six Figure Design Studio to help you hit this milesto...

In this episode of 'Behind the Design,' we're breaking past barriers holding that could be holding you back from reaching six-figures as a brand and website designer. I'm drawing from my personal journey and mentorship of other designers to highlight three critical areas: positioning and marketing, pricing and offerings, and systems and processes. The main goal of this episode is t...

While I don't believe in quick fixes when it comes to business, I do believe there are key things that make or break a business. Most of the time, these things are overlooked because they seem small and don't feel like "revenue-generating" tasks, but not all of those tasks are about sales and marketing. When you break down your financial goals and what you need to do to increase...

In this episode of the Behind the Design podcast, your host Olivia Austin, brand designer, strategist, and business mentor, dives into the five things she's doing differently during her second maternity leave and the mistakes she made the first time around. Olivia shares valuable insights on planning for maternity leave as a business owner, including the importance of having a clear calendar,...

As ambitious entrepreneurs it's very easy to just keep your head down and keep working until one day you finally look up only to realize the year is over and you're basically in the same place you were in January. Or maybe you have goals that seem simple, yet you can't seem to figure out how to accomplish them. You know I'm here to help you build an intentional & aligned design...

[ Pssttt ones busy working moms can do too! ] In this episode of Behind the Design Podcast, Olivia shares practical time management tips specifically tailored for busy entrepreneurs. Olivia shares personal insights and effective strategies that have transformed her life and business even after having a baby with limited childcare. She covers the importance of core focuses, realistic planning, desi...

This episode shares the actionable steps and mindset shifts that doubled my revenue last month. - Importance of mindset and five key shifts that led to revenue growth. - Transitioning from an agency model to a leaner studio setup. - Surrender versus strategy: trusting the process and focusing on small daily progress. - Tools and templates for streamlining business processes and prioritizing self-c...

Welcome back to Behind the Design Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the essentials of personal branding and how it can transform your design career. Key points covered: - The importance of personal branding in the current marketing landscape. - How personal branding can help evolve and expand your business. - Steps to outline your vision and what you want to be known for. - Examples of s...

Kelsey Ogletree is the founder and CEO of Pitchcraft, a tech platform connecting writers, editors and PR professionals. She's also an independent journalist, holding a master's degree in magazine journalism from Northwestern University. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, AARP The Magazine, Travel + Leisure and more. She is a new mom to baby Asher, born in April 2023, and...

So much out there on getting more clients, but once you reach a certain stage in business getting to consistent $10/$15k months, it's about client retention and this is where I think a lot of designers are leaving money on the table. If you want to increase your revenue without constantly onboarding new clients, this episode is going to have a lot of really good takeaways for you. Timestamps:...

Join Linzay and I as we unpack the real deal about maternity leave for creative entrepreneurs. Our guest is sharing everything from tweaks to your business model that can keep the cash flowing, to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum. Linzay Davis is a Parental Leave Expert helping parents navigate parental leave in the US through her business, The Park Consulting. Timestamps: 00:0...

In this episode of "Behind the Design Podcast", hosted by Olivia Austin, we get an inspiring glimpse into the colorful world of Nicole Goldfarb, the creative CEO of Nixie, and her journey into the business of joy-infusing design. Nicole Goldfarb is a color-loving creative whose eye-catching illustrations radiate a playful energy that is synonymous with joy. With a signature blend of live...

In this episode, Olivia Austin shares expert insights on preventing website project stalls with effective communication, system implementation, and client guidance in brand and web design. Tune in for actionable strategies and tips on setting boundaries, maintaining project momentum, and ensuring profitable, timely delivery. 00:00 Encouraging audience engagement, seeking input on topics. 04:51 Int...

Angela is the Founder and Creative Heart behind Saffron Avenue, a graphic design studio for ambitious brands and a template shop for entrepreneurs and artists. With a love of designing with intention and connection, I focus on infusing strategy, sophistication, and hand-crafted details into each brand, website, and product. Her mission has been to help creative business owners gain clarity and con...

In this episode of Behind the Design, host Olivia Austin shares a step-by-step strategy for reflecting on the past quarter and creating a customized plan for the next quarter. Discover the #1 important, reflection exercise and identify the actionable steps to define your goals, refine your strategies, and achieve success in Quarter 2. Timestamps: 00:00 Entrepreneurs need strategic reflection to gr...

Join our guest, Kay from KAC Marketing, on the Behind the Design podcast as we dive into secrets on scaling agencies, leveraging AI for efficiency, and mastering email marketing and ad management strategies for small businesses. Plus, you'll hear expert advice on balancing work-life and harnessing the power of organic content and paid ads to grow your client base. Don't miss these valuable...