Erika Hall and Mike Monteiro - Consulting with Backbone: Authenticity, Humanity, and the Value of Hard Truths

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Dec 17, 2024

In a thought-provoking conversation, Erika Hall, co-founder of Mule Design and author of 'Just Enough Research,' along with Mike Monteiro, also co-founder of Mule Design and author of 'Design Is a Job,' tackle the realities of UX consulting. They discuss the significance of authenticity and integrity in their work, share hard-earned lessons from running a consultancy, and highlight the importance of community engagement. With a candid take on the current UX climate, they advocate for a shift from bland conformity to embracing true individuality in the field.

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ANECDOTE

Mule Design's Origin

Erika Hall and Mike Monteiro started Mule Design in 2001 during the dot-com crash.
They initially relied on referrals and networking, securing a significant client like Yahoo.

ANECDOTE

Why 'Mule' Design?

Mule Design, named after the mule, embodies their work ethic: doing the work with intelligence and honesty.
Mules are reliable and won't do stupid things; they assess risks, much like Mule Design's approach to client work.

ADVICE

Get a Lawyer

Always have a solid contract and a good lawyer.
This protects you in disputes and allows you to work with larger organizations confidently.

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In this episode of The UX Consultants Lounge, host Kyle Soucy sits down with two legendary figures in the UX and design consulting world: Erika Hall and Mike Monteiro, co-founders of Mule Design. Known for their honesty, wit, and willingness to challenge the status quo, Erika and Mike bring decades of experience—and a few well-placed truth bombs—to this candid conversation about UX consulting.

Key Topics Covered:

The Origin of Mule Design: Why they chose the name Mule and how it represents their approach to consulting—doing the work with intelligence, honesty, and integrity.
Lessons from the Trenches: The challenges of running a consultancy, firing clients, dealing with contracts, and why you always need a good lawyer.
The Current UX Climate: Why UX professionals are not to blame for recent industry turbulence, and the role speculative tech growth has played in overhiring and layoffs.
Being “The Helpers”: Mike and Erika’s advice on contributing to meaningful work—whether in civic tech, local organizations, or community projects—and embracing the value of problem-solving skills.
Marketing and Business Development: The importance of putting yourself out there authentically. Erika shares how being consistent and unapologetic about your expertise helps clients find you, while Mike encourages consultants to embrace honesty and avoid sounding like machines.
Why Authenticity Matters: A bold call to action for UX consultants to stop trying to fit in, stop being bland, and start telling hard truths—because that’s what clients actually need.

When asked to describe UX consulting in one word, Erika says, “Lost”, and Mike delivers a punch: “Dead.” Listen to the episode to hear their powerful explanations and why the future of consulting requires honesty, backbone, and humanity.

Connect with Us:

Host: Kyle Soucy: Website | Linkedin
Guest: Erika Hall: Website | Linkedin
Guest: Mike Monteiro: Website | Linkedin

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Links and Resources Mentioned:

Books by Erica and Mike: https://www.mulebooks.com/
Erika’s business model talk: The Business Model is the Grid (Confab)https://conffab.com/presentation/the-business-model-is-the-grid/
Mike’s infamous talk: “F** You, Pay Me”* (Creative Mornings) -https://youtu.be/jVkLVRt6c1U?si=YfFLEeoUe2EkpWmo

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