Travis Makes Money Make Money by Learning the Art of Pricing | Chris Do
Sep 22, 2025
Chris Do, an Emmy-winning designer and founder of The Futur and Blind, shares his journey from $30/hour gigs to running a multimillion-dollar agency. He dives into the psychology of pricing, emphasizing how many creatives remain underpriced despite heavy workloads. Chris discusses strategies for setting and defending premium prices, the importance of building a strong reputation, and how saying no can create better opportunities. His insights encourage creatives to recognize their worth and use scarcity as leverage for long-term success.
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Early Hustle Builds Reputation
- Chris started freelancing charging low hourly rates while doing high-quality work and living frugally to keep power to say no.
- His early reputation from doing great work led former colleagues to become his first clients when he launched his business.
Scaling With Trusted Collaborators
- Chris subcontracted work to friends charging clients a premium while paying collaborators less and directing the output.
- That allowed him to scale capacity quickly and fulfill more projects than a solo freelancer could.
Ask More And Defend Your Price
- Ask for more and stand your ground when clients push back on price instead of immediately lowering it.
- Charging more lets you hire help and escape the cycle of being overworked and underpaid.
