Design Business Freedom

Sourdough toast with sour cherry jam might just be my secret ingredient to celebrating the wrap of a recording session, but it's the client-designer relationship that's the true bread and butter of our industry. Today, I peel back the curtain on the collaborative dance we engage in with clients, sharing candidly how a project's end can actually become the beginning of a lifelong partnership. And w...

Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling completely unheard? It's a common plight, but in the design world, this can spell disaster for client relationships. In today's episode, we'll explore the transformative art of client communication and care that makes the difference between a one-time project and a lifelong partnership. From the power of active listening to the strategic distri...

Have you ever felt the magnetic pull of a single, life-changing idea that could revolutionize your creative business? That's precisely what we're unwrapping in today's episode of The Affluent Creative. In today's episode, I'd like to introduce you to the 'Power of One' strategy, a transformative approach that could be the compass to your success. Imagine setting one clear vision, selecting a singu...

The dreaded bad review–it's happened to the best of us. Perhaps you had a falling out with a tough client who then decided to take their anger out through a malicious and untruthful review on your social media page. Or, maybe you aren't even entirely sure where the negative review came from because it has been signed by someone not in your client roster. Whatever the case or reason, bad reviews ca...

As a creative business owner, it's crucial to regularly check in with your practice to ensure you're on the right track toward success. One effective way to do this is by asking yourself a few questions every week which can help you identify areas for improvement, celebrate your achievements, and maintain a healthy balance between your personal and professional life. There are so many ways that yo...

In the realm of design, connecting with clients goes beyond aesthetics; it's about speaking their language and sharing values that echo through your work. It's all about leveraging your unique journey—from the places you've lived to your personal hobbies—to establish a brand that resonates and creates enduring client relationships.  In today's episode, I illuminate the path to standing out in the...

If you've ever found yourself wishing that the stellar work on the latest design project you've been devoting your time to would definitively translate into sustained growth even after that project is over…well, you're in for a treat this episode. There are three specific ways to guarantee that you will grow your business with every project that you take on. Today, I am deep-diving into each metho...

Have you ever scribbled a dream into existence? My creative journey began with a single goal etched onto paper, a simple act that set the wheels of my design business into motion. So today, ahead of the New Year, I'm revealing the transformative power of writing down your intentions and the seven steps to craft your most lucrative design year yet. We'll traverse the landscape of strategic goal set...

What if I told you that the words you choose can have an impact on your bottom line? One of the best ways to attract affluent clients is by choosing the right words–words that not only magnify the worth of your work but sow the seeds of success. That means discarding limiting words like "expensive" and "cheap" and embracing empowering language that reflects the true value of your projects and serv...

Over the past few episodes, I've been sharing a variety of ways that you can push your own brand further into the affluent realm. But have you considered what your affluent clients themselves are really looking for when they are choosing a designer to work with? Today we are delving straight into the heart of what affluent clients seek. Your ideal client wants to feel that they can trust who they...

When holding interviews, it's common to feel as if you're the one being interviewed. Sometimes our nerves get the best of us, and we talk more than we listen, or we don't allow ourselves to see the candidate for the person they are presenting themselves to be. So, today, we're going to dive into some of my best interviewing and onboarding tips and tricks. In last week's episode, we discussed how t...

Do you know what it takes to attract and satisfy the crème de la crème of clients? In today's episode of The Affluent Creative, we are picking up where we left off on the art of crafting a robust brand that appeals to the affluent clientele. While previously we focused on tips to incorporate to build your physical brand presence, today, we are diving into communication strategies from social media...

Ever wondered how your fashion choices could determine your success? Today, we're exploring the power of aligning values with your ideal clients rather than hard-selling and how your style choices – from your wardrobe to your eyewear – can impact your brand's image. We're looking at the undeniable allure of fascination–which is why making an outrageous eyewear statement, for example, could actuall...

Get ready to be captivated by Jenna Wedemeyer of Schnabel Interiors as she dishes on her journey from nearly burning out to finding the perfect work-life balance and uplifting her business. Jenna's narrative of finding joy in horse riding, reconnecting with a long-lost sweetheart, and successfully moving her life and business proves that personal happiness can coexist with professional accomplishm...

Struggling to shed those last 10 pounds taught me a lot more than just the importance of discipline and perseverance - it also taught me about growth. Personal growth, yes, but also business growth. What started as a quest to shed weight evolved into a passionate exploration of the powerful connection between personal and business transformation.  In this journey of personal and professional evolu...

Ever struggled to balance your creative instincts with the cold hard facts of business profitability? At the recent High Point Market, I had the chance to sit down with three successful designers - Isabel Ladd, Duvall Reynolds, and Justine Knox - to unlock the mystery of building a profitable creative practice. Now, I want to share some of those insights with you all. The best part is that these f...

Social media is an amazing tool that, when used correctly, can serve and support your business' success. It is not something that you need to dedicate gobs of time to either, as long as you can use it strategically. Selecting only certain feeds to follow, setting specific goals for engagement and activity, and not overwhelming yourself by managing too many accounts are just some of the strategies...

We all hit a rut at some point in our design careers. Perhaps you've gotten to a place where business seems to have slowed down and you want to hit the refresh button to jumpstart yourself into a new market of clients. Or, maybe you are a budding new designer, trying to build up your portfolio and make it into your ideal client market.  Whether you are new to the game or simply looking for a new p...

I'm thrilled to have Lisa Scott, the creative genius behind the highly successful Scott Design Studio in Florida, as our guest for this episode. Lisa's story is an inspiring one. In a short span of just 18 months, she's managed to skyrocket from having no clients to making a whopping one and a half million in revenue!  Today, we're excited to dive deep into her journey and the secret strategies be...

On todays episode of The Affluent Creative, I have the pleasure of featuring my guest client and dear friend, Deanne Bridenstine to discuss her journey from architecture to entrepreneurship. Deanne is the principal designer and CEO of Pure Design Interiors, as well as the director of merchandising and design for Tailored Closets and Premier Garages. I've been so fortunate to watch her growth as a...

Believe it or not, I see so many designers flying without a net, which is what I call it when you work without a letter of agreement or with one that has absolutely no protection for you in it. A letter of agreement is just another word for a contract, but it sounds much friendlier. Most importantly, a letter of agreement will outline all stipulations, clauses, and information that you and your cl...

In many parts of the country, we are seeing a downturn in business. The kneejerk response for many designers is panic mode–and that might be your reaction as well if you are dealing with the uncertainty of losing your steady stream of client inquiries. Economic uncertainties are bound to happen, but they shouldn't dictate the trajectory of your creative business. It's easy to panic and worry when...

Ever wondered why some client interactions leave you feeling frustrated and undervalued? The answer may lie in how you manage the design process for your clients. On today's episode, we're all about taking command and elevating your client interactions to streamline your design process. I'll share insights from my decades of design experience to help remind you why you should be the one in control...

If you're anything like the many designers I coach, you may feel like your focus is pulled in so many directions that it is hard to clear a path forward to higher profits. Something that I have found is true of most of these designers, however, is that they are often focusing too much on the wrong things.  When you give our attention too frequently to small, low-dollar tasks, you are not helping y...

When did you last professionally check in with your team members? Have you ever tried utilizing a third party to collect self-evaluation answers from your team members rather than relying on skewed answers from bringing these questions up during evaluations? Today's episode of The Affluent Creative is one you won't want to miss, whether your team is local, remote, or maybe not even yet existent. C...