The Unapologetic Designer Podcast

With AI, scams, and so many service providers overpromising and underdelivering, high-ticket clients are asking: “Can I actually trust this person?” It’s no longer just about creating a good brand or website. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to build trust with high-ticket buyers so they feel confident investing in you because trust is what makes people say yes. #hotdesignersummer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join So...

Clients don’t always choose the designer with the prettiest proposal, lowest price, or biggest portfolio...they choose the one they trust. In this episode, I’m breaking down what actually makes clients say yes, how to build trust before the sales call, and how to become the designer high ticket clients choose even when other designers charge less or have more experience than you. #hotdesignersumme...

I’m breaking down the one post that booked out my design business for over three months and why it had nothing to do with posting more. The truth is, more content isn’t always the answer. Better messaging is. I’m sharing what made this post convert so well, how it created a “wait… that’s me” moment for my audience, and why designers need to stop posting just to stay visible and start creating cont...

We’re kicking off Hot Designer Summer meaning over the next 10 weeks I am going to be in your ear helping you become the booked out designer everyone won’t shut up about.  If you’re ready to get visible this season, this series is for you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

For most creatives, the voice in their head guiding their hesitations, fears, and decisions has actually been created by a 9-5 job. That's how they end up saying "I want a successful design business" for 5 years with little to no progress... because every decision is still being filtered through fear, safety, approval, and the need for a guaranteed outcome. At some point, the only wa...

Andrea went from charging $800 to booking a $10,700 client within a year but it wasn’t a straight path. Her journey was full of pivots, investments, doubt, self-work, and showing up even when nothing seemed to be working. This episode is about what it actually looks like to find your purpose… and the discipline it takes to stick with it long before the results catch up. ⁠Follow Andrea ⁠FREE Six Fi...

I sat down with Erika, Creative Director and CEO of Erika Maram, where she leads editorial design, creative direction, photography, and high-level campaign work. We dive into her journey from working with Goss Magazine to being on set with female astronauts, and how she’s built long-term client relationships in an industry that’s constantly evolving. This episode breaks down the strategy, storytel...

I sit down with Naoma Serna-Zahn , brand strategist and principal behind Nuevo, to talk about the realities of high-level brand work. We also get into: Why public feedback can derail a branding project The difference between brand strategy vs. visual design How Naoma attracts B2B clients with projects starting around $18.5K The different ways we each generate clients What masterminds actually make...

Everyone sees the aesthetic photos, curated dinners, and the dreamy locations… but no one talks about what it actually costs to host a design retreat. In this episode, we’re breaking down the real numbers behind our retreat from venue and accommodations to marketing, experiences, and the unexpected expenses that add up fast. If you’ve ever thought about hosting your own retreat, or you’re wonderin...

I’m fixing real posts from designers inside our marketing membership and showing you exactly why they weren’t converting to clients… and what we changed to make them work. A lot of designers are posting consistently, putting in the effort… and still not getting inquiries. And it’s not the algorithm. It’s how the content is built. I walk through 3 real examples and break down: what’s not working, w...

Have you seen the designer on Threads posting her $20K monthly roundups and a number of client projects most designers only dream about? Today I'm sitting down with Rachel for an hour-long conversation about how she is hitting consistent high cash months, booking 80 + clients in a year, and what she’s actually doing behind the scenes to make it happen. We get into how she markets, how she posi...

What if you could create one piece of art … and get paid for it again and again? In this episode, I’m interviewing an illustrator who’s built a real recurring income stream through art licensing aka “renting” your artwork to brands so it can live on products like packaging, stationery, home goods, apparel, and more… while you collect royalties . We’re breaking down: What art licensing actually is...

If you want clients booked months in advance for 2026, this episode breaks down where most designers are going wrong. We’re talking about why educational content alone isn’t creating demand, how booked-out designers use messaging to trigger action, and what actually makes someone inquire now instead of “someday.” This episode is about building urgency, positioning, and a pipeline that fills your c...

Your worth is far too personal and it's not your pricing. And client objections usually aren’t about price... they're a symptom of something else. I talk about: Why so many talented designers stay stuck at the same rate for months (or years) The difference between organic growth vs. accelerated growth How your nervous system plays a bigger role in pricing than you think Why confidence ofte...

Designers stay stuck because they keep thinking like the version of themselves they are right now … not the six-figure designer they want to become. In this video, we break down how to think like a six-figure designer before you’re earning six figures , and why mindset alone isn’t enough if your decisions, standards, and habits haven’t changed. You’ll learn: How to think like a six-figure designer...

Most designers think their business is failing… when in reality, they’re simply underestimating the volume required to get the results they’re hoping for. They assume they’re “not cut out for it,” so they stop right before the momentum kicks in. In this episode, I’m breaking down the real numbers and real examples that will shift your entire perspective on what it actually takes to build a six-fig...

I sat down with Jaime who is a DBA graduate, mom, and fellow bird mama to talk about her wild journey from selling $400 mini brands to booking $8,000+ clients. We dive into: How she walked away from her 9-5 with zero safety net The moment she decided to go all-in on her design business What changed in her mindset + process that allowed her to book premium clients How she’s currently filling her ca...

Shannon Mattern and I dive into the real reason so many designers stay stuck spinning their wheels even when they’re so close to real momentum. We discuss: ✨ Why fear keeps you from telling people what you do✨ Why hiding from your network is blocking opportunities✨ The mindset difference between designers who scale and designers who stall If you’ve been feeling stuck or wondering why things are...

If you’re still posting “how-tos” and informational tips people can Google in 10 seconds… you’re invisible to design clients. In this episode, I break down old marketing vs. new marketing , how to actually stop the scroll in 2025, and why showing up online feels harder than ever (and what to do about it). ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, I’m joined by Shay, one of the founders behind Bucketlist Bombshells, to hear her story and dive into the power of relationship marketing. We talk about how building genuine connections...and not chasing trends can completely transform your business, open new opportunities, and attract clients who stick around for the long haul. BB FREE Dream Client Playbook Freedom Filled Life Po...

My guest was hired as an hourly designer, did nearly $40K worth of work, and uncovered gaps that could’ve generated over $400K in revenue for the client. But instead of listening, they let her go the day before launch and she never even had a contract. We unpack the red flags, the lessons, and how to recognize when your expertise is being mistaken for “extra work” instead of the strategy that coul...

This year, I decided to take networking seriously and within just four months, it led to over $10K in booked projects . In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what I did to make that happen (without feeling overly salesy). Whether you’re an introvert or simply want to book more local clients, you’ll walk away with practical, real strategies you can start using to grow your business and attract...

Caroline is the self-taught designer behind Corson Studio and today, she’s pulling back the curtain on her journey from undercharging and second-guessing… to enrolling in our signature  DBA University program  and finally landing her  first $4,000 design client . But here’s the truth: Caroline didn’t book that high-ticket client right away. While some students land premium clients just  weeks  aft...

In this episode, I sit down with  Nikki , a copywriter who partners with designers to elevate their client projects with ease. We dive into what her process actually looks like behind the scenes, how she seamlessly fits into designers’ workflows, and why offering done-for-you copy can instantly increase the value (and results) of your design packages without adding more to your plate. If you’ve ev...

In this episode, I sit down with a designer who was fully booked on the outside, but behind the scenes was undercharging, overworking, and still struggling to pay the bills. We talk about: The hidden downsides of being “booked out” How underpricing impacts your business long-term Different ways to launch and sell your services This conversation is a reminder that being busy doesn’t always mean bei...