The Designated Designer 🔮

In this episode of The Designated Designer , I’m joined by brand designer and podcast host Liz Mosley for a conversation about confidence, connection, and the surprising power of podcasting as a networking tool. Liz shares how creating her own podcast opened doors to relationships, opportunities, and collaborations that traditional networking never could. We talk about building confidence through...

In this episode of The Designated Designer , I’m joined by the one and only Rick Franzo, Growth Coach of the Poconos. Join us for a powerful conversation about what it really means to get unstuck, both in business and in life. ✦ Rick shares his deeply personal journey from surviving multiple brain tumors to guiding entrepreneurs through their own seasons of overwhelm, isolation, and uncertainty. W...

In this episode of The Designated Designer , I’m joined by Jesse Heebner of Heeby’s Surplus and American Door Products for a conversation that goes way beyond brochures and branding! We dig into what it really means to design with intention; where it becomes directional instead of just decorative. Jesse shares what it’s like growing a family business, navigating expansion, managing people, and mak...

In this episode of The Designated Designer , I sat down with mortgage & lending expert Jim Gillespie to traverse a topic most creatives would rather sidestep: money, mortgages, and the financial systems that quietly shape our lives . Jim breaks down the evolution of the mortgage industry, from the predatory lending that led to the 2008 crash, to the guardrails created by the Dodd-Frank Act. He...

What does it really take to build a brand that commands attention and earns trust, right from day one? In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Scott, owner of Roofing Army , to unpack how powerful design and clear messaging can completely reshape how a business shows up in the world. We talk about the early days of building his brand from the ground up, the importance of collaboration in the creati...

In this episode of The Designated Designer , I’m joined by the lovely Vickie Moore from Design Some Moore! She's a fellow creative spirit navigating the wild world of freelancing, design education, and community building! We talk about the messy middle of figuring it all out — from leaving the 9–5 to embracing self-discovery, learning the business side of design, and finding your creative rhythm a...

This week, I sat down with Gareth; a seasoned UK-based designer whose story is as much about resilience as it is about design. From the early days of chasing creative work, to backpacking across Australia, to facing the ripple effects of Brexit and COVID in his business, Gareth’s path has been anything but straightforward. We talk about why networking is non-negotiable, how rebranding his business...

Remember that episode I did where I tried to tackle finances as a creative? Well, after posting it I felt like I didn’t fully answer my listener’s question the way I wanted to. Why? Because I’m not a financial professional (shocking, I know 😅). So I decided to fix that. In this episode, I brought in financial expert Mike Braun to really dig into the money side of being a solopreneur. We talk Quic...

In this episode of The Designated Designer , I sit down with my client-turned-guest, Dan Ehlman. Dan has a fascinating story—he started out in graphic design before moving into the junk removal industry, and along the way, he’s picked up some big lessons about business, branding, and collaboration. We talk about what it’s really like to work together as designer and client, why revisions aren’t fa...

What’s it really like to run a business before you’ve even tossed your graduation cap? In this episode, I sit down with Thomas ( a web designer, entrepreneur, and yes, high school student ) to talk about the ups, downs, and unexpected lessons of starting young. We get into everything from pricing with confidence ( no matter your age ) to navigating teen hustle culture, finding balance, and buildin...

If the money side of business has ever made you wanna scream into the void—welcome, friend. 👋🏻 In this episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on how I’ve been managing (and learning through) the financial side of entrepreneurship. From my love-hate relationship with QuickBooks to finally finding a bank that works with me (not against me), I’m sharing the systems, hiccups, and real-deal strategies...

In this solo episode, we're diving headfirst into the quiet burnout that so many creatives face behind the scenes and the inner work it takes to begin to recover from it. From the pressure to perform on social media to the guilt that sneaks in when you rest, we're unpacking all the tough but necessary lessons of reclaiming your time, your peace, and your priorities. I'll be sharing some honest ref...

What if the secret to unforgettable client experiences wasn’t more automation, but more personality ? In this guest episode, I sit down with my fellow creative and alumni from Kutztown University: Xander to unpack the idea of Unreasonable Hospitality and how going just a little further than expected can completely change how clients remember, trust, and refer you. We talk about the power of person...

Dear listener: This one’s a little more raw, a little less polished, and just a real check-in from me to you. It’s been a whirlwind lately: the business picked up in ways I never expected, I took on some big, exciting projects (including Stankin’ Good’s first full service, local , commercial vehicle wrap!), and… I kind of burned myself out in the process. In this solo episode, I’m catching you up...

My first ever guest episode is here!! And it’s a Stankin' Good one. I brought on my high school bestie turned fellow business owner, Shelby Berger, to unpack the beautifully chaotic mess that is Year One of running your own thing. From the highest highs to the “wait what the hell are we doing?” moments, we’re spilling it all. We also dive deep into what it was like to brand her business together —...

Ever wonder what your first real vacation feels like when you’re your own boss? In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of a totally unfiltered weekend away, burning rubber at a car event, and trying not to panic about the emails piling up. This wasn’t just a trip, it was a huge lesson in trust, rest, self-care, and letting go. I talk through the fears I had before taking time off, how I...

This week’s episode didn’t go as planned—because growth rarely does. After accidentally filming an entire 30-minute podcast with no audio, I almost didn’t come back to re-record. But then I remembered: progress isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence. So here we are, messy, unscripted, and real. In this episode, I share an unexpected lesson in resilience through my attempt to save a dying b...

Season 2 of The Designated Designer kicks off with a heart-to-heart. In this vulnerable episode, I'm reflecting on my first full year running in business, celebrating the gritty wins, unpacking the missteps, and embracing the weird, wonderful transformation that comes when you fully commit to your path. This isn’t just a recap; it’s a reset. From navigating burnout and redefining success to learni...

In this week's episode, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing some real, raw reflections on what it actually feels like to grow a business—and yourself—at the same time. 🚀 I’m talking about finally writing a real intro (only took me forever), the messy beauty of starting before you’re ready, and the wild identity shifts that come with chasing your dreams. I’m diving into why it’s normal to fee...

Feeling stuck in neutral? Overwhelmed? Burnt out? Ready to throw your laptop out the window even though you JUST finished paying it off? Same. In this unscripted, from-the-heart episode, I share my latest creative high, the inevitable social media spiral that immediately followed, and the simple ritual that’s helping me find balance amidst all the chaos. From overwhelming passion projects and busi...

In this episode of The Designated Designer , we get real about rejection. We’ve been there, done that, and learned that sometimes a "no" is the universe telling us to forge our own freakin' path. After getting a polite rejection from a widely popular design podcast, we drop some truth bombs about how even the design world can be subject to a popularity contest—one where only the "cool kids" get a...

Ever feel like leaving something half-done is the worst thing you could possibly do ? Like, the thought of walking away from an unfinished task makes your skin crawl? Yeah, same. But one of the most unexpected lessons I’ve learned as a business owner is that sometimes, pressing pause is the smartest move you can make. In this episode, we’re diving into the art of strategic stopping —learning to em...

Choosing to be different is never the easy road—but damn, isn’t it the most rewarding? In this episode, I’m diving deep into what it really means to take the unconventional path, whether it’s in business, in life, or in standing firm on who you are—even when the world makes it easier not to. Inspired by Chappell Roan’s journey (and how her story hit me like a ton of bricks), we’re talking about th...

Buckle up, fellow creatives —this week, we’re running straight toward our fears (unless, of course, that fear is a horror movie villain, in which case, run away ). But when it comes to client revisions? I say embrace them . Yep, you heard me. I love client feedback! The design world is full of horror stories about revision nightmares, but what if we flipped the script? What if revisions weren’t th...

Being your own boss is the dream… until you realize you’re also the janitor, the customer service rep, and the one making every single decision—alone. In this episode, I’m ridin’ solo (literally and figuratively) and unpacking the unexpected loneliness that can creep in when you’re walking the road less traveled as a business owner. From getting blindsided by schedule shifts, to finding solace in...