The Unapologetic Designer Podcast

In this episode, I’m sitting down with David Masters Group, a studio known for taking on only four clients per year. They take a deep storytelling approach that transforms branding into an immersive journey, not just a deliverable. We dive into: How doing fewer, deeper projects opens the door to bigger clients Why pricing becomes easier when your work is rooted in meaning The mindset shift designe...

Imagine managing 23 client projects by yourself. For Josh Hall, that unsustainable reality forced a drastic shift...one that transformed his business forever. In this episode, Josh shares the lessons, challenges, and unexpected opportunities that come with growing into an agency model. Follow Josh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Olivia of Current Design Studio shares how she scaled from a 700 sq. ft. beach bungalow to leading $20K creative projects. Her story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship takes bold risks and unwavering self-belief. Follow Olivia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

I'm joined by Cat, host of The Peaceful Creatives Podcast, to talk about how designers and creative entrepreneurs can finally escape the feast and famine cycle, reduce burnout, and build a profitable, sustainable business without sacrificing peace of mind. We dive into: Practical ways to break free from burnout as a designer How to end the feast and famine cycle for freelancers and creative bu...

In this episode, we’re breaking down the real reason behind stuck energy and whether it’s a gap in action, strategy, or mindset that’s slowing your momentum. This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list...it’s about real accountability that drives results. We’re sharing how our 3 zones of genius inside Design Biz Academy help designers get clear, stay consistent, and actually go after their goa...

What if a single $200 coaching call could change the trajectory of your design business? In this episode, I’m sharing the story of one of our Social Butterfly Club members who took what we taught her in just ONE call and used it to book a $7,500 client. Proof that when you get clear strategy and apply it, you can see results fast. We’ll break down what made the difference for her, why she was able...

If your heart’s ever sunk over an unhappy client and you rushed straight into fix-it mode, this one’s for you. I’m walking you through a powerful visualization that helps you shift from reactive and emotional… to grounded and fact-led. This isn’t about being cold or robotic...it’s about reclaiming your role as the leader of your design business. We’re unpacking: Why fear-based responses sabotage y...

I’m joined by Mikelle Morrison and Nick Longo from The Deeply Graphic Designcast to talk about how they built their design businesses in the early 2000s before Instagram or short form content were a thing. We get into: – What marketing looked like back then– How they've stayed booked without relying on social media– And what today’s designers can learn from the OG way of doing things Listen To...

Pull up a seat for this live hot seat coaching session where we worked with 7 designers on the real challenges holding their businesses back from social media to pitching clients. This is the kind of unfiltered, straight-to-the-point advice we give every other Monday inside Social Butterfly Club. If you want feedback on your design business, click the link below to become a member! ⁠⁠Join Social B...

Discover how a small team scaled from 3 employees to $100K+/month selling $59 websites (yes, you read that correctly). In this episode, we dive into how they turned creativity into a productized service and what they're building now that has me switching my entire project management system. If you're a designer, you’ll want to hear this! Try Motion. IO For Free ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly...

In this episode, I sit down with Bailey from Honey Wave Creative to dig into the fast-paced world of 'Design in a Day.' I ask the questions many designers are thinking but rarely say out loud...How is strategy implemented? What’s actually being delivered? And what is this saying about the value of creativity? Whether you're curious, skeptical, or considering this model yourself, this c...

I used to think networking was awkward and icky until I realized I was just in the wrong rooms. In this episode, I'm sharing my top 3 tips for unlocking your extroverted energy (yes, even if you're shy) and how to make networking actually feel fun, natural, and game-changing for your business. Apply For The Elevated Designer Scholarship ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership Fo...

We’ve coached hundreds of designers inside Design Biz Academy University, which means we’ve seen the most common mistakes that are costing creatives the sale. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down exactly what those missteps are, so you can skip the trial-and-error and start closing clients with confidence. ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Jenna decided to run ads during a slower season in her design business and the results were game-changing. Within just a few months, her books were full and she was able to turn them off entirely. In this episode, we dive into how ads can amplify a solid business foundation, and why they’re not a quick fix for deeper issues that need real strategy. Follow Jenna ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Ma...

Bethany escaped a cult that taught women were only meant to be wives and mothers. She rebuilt her life, launched her own multi-six figure design business, and now empowers other women to reclaim their independence and step into their power. Follow Bethany Unbreakable Brands Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design...

In this episode we are breaking down the difference between surface-level get rich quick “schemes” and real mentorship that actually moves the needle in your design business. If you’ve ever felt burned by online education, this one’s for you. Follow Marci ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Hali is juggling life with three toddlers and launched her graphic design business less than a year ago. With a niche focus on photographers, she landed her very first client at $600. Fast forward, and she’s now celebrating her first $3,500 project, all by implementing the proven strategies we teach inside Design Biz Academy. In this breakdown, Hali shares exactly which pieces of the DBA framework...

Melissa’s story is proof that where you start doesn’t define where you can go. From losing her mom to battling limited Wi-Fi access in Cuba, she still found the strength to pursue her business, join Design Biz Academy, and ended up booking her first $11K client. Her journey is nothing short of inspiring. Follow Melissa ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Meg Burk shares how she started her design business, By Meg Burk, how font creation grew her income, and how it led to a dream project with Kendra Scott. Follow Meg ⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unlock Secret Podcast Episodes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Your Unapologetic Opinion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Instagram...

We’ve all heard it: $500 clients are picky, while the $5K clients barely think twice. But why does this happen? We’re diving into the financial psychology behind this stereotype, unpacking the mindset shifts, value perceptions, and energy dynamics that shape how clients show up at different price points. ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The...

The most successful designers have one thing in common: an empowered mindset. They don’t get stuck and complain, they find solutions to keep it moving when challenges arise. In this episode, we’re calling out the victim mentality that keeps so many creatives broke, overwhelmed, and burned out. If you’re constantly blaming your circumstances, you’re giving away your power. ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly C...

Not every design project works out...even the ones you're most excited about. This episode is a reminder to trust your gut because sometimes, you and a client just aren’t the right match and that’s okay. It’s business, not personal. ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unlock Secret P...

Last year, I poured nearly $10,000 into rebranding my own design business—hiring a copywriter, planning a full-scale photoshoot, revamping my website, and even bringing in another brand designer for support. I went all in, expecting a seamless transformation. But reality had other plans. Here’s what worked, what flopped, and what I’ve learned from this experience. ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Mar...

I'm using something completely new to book clients in 2025—something I’ve never done before. And no, it doesn’t require sending weekly newsletters or posting every single day. In this episode, I’m breaking down this fresh strategy, how it works, and why it might just be the game-changer you’ve been looking for! ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

From my beginnings as a freelancer to evolving into an established high-ticket designer and educator, I've gained invaluable insights into what it truly takes to become an industry leader. Today, I want to shed light on some of the challenges you'll face when stepping into this role. ⁠⁠Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz...