Better: The Brand Designer Podcast

In this solo episode, Jen’s chatting all about how she’s refined and streamlined her brand and web design process to better serve both her clients and her business.  She emphasizes customizing workflows to fit different client needs, cutting unnecessary steps, and focusing on high-value tasks. Key changes include reducing client calls, minimizing lengthy brand strategy, and relying on simple, effe...

In this episode, I’m chatting with Katie Higginbotham, previous minimind student of mine, designer, studio owner, creative director, and mom of three. We talk all about what it really looked like to make the leap from her established agency job to running her own studio. With Mother’s Day just behind us, this convo feels especially timely. Katie shares how she knew it was time for a change, how sh...

Branding Bestie Chit Chat is back and in this episode Lauren and Jen share honest examples of when things didn’t go quite as planned in their client projects from unclear direction to challenging feedback and how they navigated those moments. It’s a candid supportive conversation full of lessons learned growth moments and a few laughs as well. Guest Information: Guest Name: Lauren Braier Guest Bus...

In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast , we sit down with Joy Warren, the creative force behind Joy Warren Creative — a full-service brand and web design studio known for its playful simplicity, vibrant use of color, and custom illustrations. Based just outside Raleigh, NC, Joy shares how she launched her business after relocating from Indiana and built a studio that celebrates and...

In this powerful and inspiring episode, we're joined by brand designer Alouette Marsh, whose journey is anything but ordinary. From facing the debilitating effects of endometriosis to rising above it and building a thriving design studio, Alouette shares her deeply personal story of resilience, creativity, and purpose. We talk about the darkest moments of her health battle, the mindset shifts...

In this episode of Better the Brand Designer Podcast , we’re diving into the ways design influences every part of our lives—far beyond our work as brand designers. Lauren shares how her love for interior design, wedding planning, and beautifully packaged products fuels her creativity, along with how house hunting has sharpened her ability to see potential in unexpected places. Jen talks about infu...

In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast , we’re diving into the legal side of branding with special guest Alli Elmunzer from Influencer Legal! As brand designers, we create visual identities that help businesses stand out—but how do we ensure those identities are legally protected? Alli breaks down the key differences between a registered trademark (®), a trademark (™), and copyright...

In this week’s episode, I sit down with my good friend Morgan Morris, the talented designer and founder behind Thuro Design. Morgan opens up about her powerful testimony — from life before Christ to how her faith journey has transformed not only her personal life but also her business. Morgan shares why she made the bold decision to integrate her faith openly into her business, despite the fear of...

 In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast , we’re back with another Branding Bestie Chit Chat featuring Lauren Braier from Elby Creative! We’re diving into the past as we dust off our old goals, reflect on what we’ve accomplished (and what we haven’t), and chat about how we’ve grown both personally and professionally over the years. Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation abo...

 In this week’s episode, I share about our refinement, QA, pre-launch, and launch phases of our web design projects! Steal my process or adjust for your own needs—it’s all laid out in this episode!  Connect With Us: Our Free Facebook Community Our Website Podcast Instagram Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, b...

In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast , we’re joined by the incredible Tonya Bamboe, founder of Booth and Bard, to dive deep into the world of inclusive branding for neurodivergent clients. Tonya shares her journey—from the pivotal moments that shaped her business to how she discovered her passion for serving the "neurospicy" community. We break down what "neurospicy...

Today I go through some of my recent projects breaking down the who, what, when, where and how. Just giving a little peak behind the curtain to some of my favorite projects I have worked with recently.  Connect With Us: Our Free Facebook Community Our Website Podcast Instagram Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designe...

In the first episode of our new monthly series, Branding Bestie Chit Chat , I sit down with Lauren Braier to explore a question that’s been buzzing around the boutique brand design community: What’s the future of our industry? From online chatter to shifts in the career paths of high-profile designers, we dive into why it feels like so many business owners are struggling right now. Is it just the...

In this inspiring guest episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast , I’m chatting with Kat Super, the talented founder of B Super Design, a boutique brand and web design studio based in Richmond, Virginia. Known for her signature “vintage meets modern” illustrative style, Kat combines brand identity design, web design, and custom illustration into a seamless, full-service experience for her cli...

In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast , we’re diving into what’s in and what’s out for creating a thriving, joyful design business in the new year. Inspired by a trend making waves on social media, I’m sharing my personal “ins” and “outs” for a better work-life balance and a more intentional approach to running my brand design studio. From booking clients far in advance to pursuing...

In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast , we dive into the art of stepping away from your business while keeping things running smoothly—whether it's for maternity leave or another extended break. I’m sharing a personal recap of my recent maternity leave, reflecting on the biggest differences from my first experience, and breaking down actionable strategies to prepare for extend...

Today we’re joined by Katelyn from Studio Kaly talking about what makes a luxury brand design experience and how to craft a luxurious offer suite that sells. If you’re struggling with your positioning and offers, this episode is for you! Links Mentioned: Studio Kaly The Win Without Pitching Manifesto Inbox Question: What are the key elements to running a successful photoshoot (for yourself or a cl...

Have you ever had a review session with a client and they're just not feeling the work you've created? We've been there! In this episode Jen and Esther talk about some of their experiences with push-back and how they worked through the problems to create better solutions for their clients. Links Mentioned: The Anti-Anxiety Notebook Inbox Question: " How do you present your init...

Episode Description: In today’s episode Jen shares her entire web design and web development process, from a blank slate all the way to launch day, Jen explains the systems that she has in place that allows her small team to design, build, and deliver the perfect website every time. Get ready to take notes, this one is packed with a lot of value and details! Inbox Question: “Finding clients who on...

Earlier this year we asked you to share your difficult client stories and today those stories—as well as our own—are live! Although they are SUPER entertaining, we make sure to also share how the designer could have avoided the problem in the first place so we can all learn together. Giselle opens the episode by telling the story about her $400 website project and Jen shares what she learned from...

Today Jen chats with Olivia Austin from Current Design Studio all about hiring - when to think about it, how to know you’re ready, and how to navigate the hiring and interview process. We approach the hiring conversation from the perspective of knowing your studio values and adding team members who share those values. Guest Information: Guest Name: Olivia Austin Guest Business Name: Current Design...

Do you ever feel like you can’t take a TRUE vacation? Maybe your fears are that your clients will be mad, you don’t have enough funds to pay for the time away, or you feel like you have TOO much to do that taking time away doesn’t make sense. We’ve been there. In this episode we talk about: The things we do to prepare for vacation Battling mindset when taking time away How we plan for vacation ahe...

Final episode of the season is here already! Today we answer all of your inbox questions! Links Mentioned: S8E15: How to Craft a Luxury Offer Suite that Sells with Katelyn Alyssa from Studio Kaly S7E10: Font Design, Digital Products, Burnout, and Industry Culture with Jen Wagner Connect With Us: Our Free Facebook Community Our Website Podcast Instagram Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand i...

Today I go over some small changes I made early on in my business that made a big impact on my revenue. This is how I hit my first 100k year.  Links Mentioned: Don’t Make these Brand Messaging & Positioning Mistakes! How to Sell Out Your Design Services with Expert Positioning Spooooky Client Stories (Round 2) Inbox Question: "[Question here?]” - [Name Here] Connect With Us: Our Free Face...

In this episode I had the pleasure of peppering Rita Julian (a bookkeeper for brand & web designers!) with questions about keeping your business finances nice and tidy (and saving money on taxes!)  Get 20% off Cash + Creatives (DIY bookkeeping course) with the code PODCAST20!  Guest Information: Guest Name: Rita Julian Guest Business Name: Julian Bookkeeping Guest Website: www.julianbookkeepin...