Better: The Brand Designer Podcast

In this solo episode, I'm recapping my 2025 business year and answering some questions about what worked, lessons learned, and things I'm leaving behind in 2025 and what I am taking into 2026.Mentions in Episode:My Bookkeeper: Balanced Roots Bookkeeping / @balacnedrootsbookkeepingBrand Shoot: Lynette Ortiz Photography / @lynetteortiz.photoShopify Developer: Jenuine Creative / @jenuinecreativeMy Episode with Bethany: The Part-Time Breadwinner: Working Less, Earning More, Living FullyMy Episode with Marty Neumeier: Diving into Octavo, a Thriller for DesignersPurchase his book on Amazon: Octavo: A NovelBook: Contagious by Jonah BergerLinks:The Design Minimind - Applications for cohort 6 opens Nov 1st, 2026Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this week’s episode, Shay, the COO of Bucketlist Bombshells, joins me to discuss scalable business models for brand and web designers. We talk about the challenges designers face, such as revenue plateaus and burnout, and provide actionable insights on transitioning to more sustainable models, as well as the importance of defining a niche, raising rates, and creating recurring revenue through current clients and monthly membership models.Guest Name: Shay BrownGuest Website: bucketlistbombshells.comGuest IG/Connect in the DM’s: @bucketlistbombshellsLinks:Grab your FREE Dream Client Playbook to consistently land more clients & grow your revenue.Get booked out in your business and start generating $5k+ months: She's Fully Booked.Hit 6 figures and ready to scale? Join our small group coaching program. Tune into the Freedom Filled Life Podcast.-----The Design Minimind - Cohort 5 is now SOLD OUT.• Sign up to be notified - Applications for the next cohort open Nov 1st 2026.Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

This week, we are back with another branding bestie episode with my design bestie, Lauren. We chat about the benefits and strategies of trading design services, how Lauren recently did trades with vendors for her wedding, and some past and current trades we’ve both done. We also talk about the importance of choosing the right trade partners, times when trades are appropriate, and making sure you don’t skip the contract just because it’s a trade.*Don’t forget to drop a post in the podcast FB group or DM Lauren or Jen if you wish and tell us something you have traded services for. We would love to hear about it!Guest Name: Lauren BraierGuest Website: elbycreative.comGuest IG: @elbycreativeLauren's Pod: Branding Bestie PodcastPrevious Branding Bestie Episodes:S11E4 Branding Bestie Chit Chat: What’s the Future of the Boutique Brand Design Industry?S11E8 Branding Bestie Chit Chat: Reading Our Old Goals with LaurenS11E11 Branding Bestie Chit Chat: Designing a Life You LoveS11E14 Branding Bestie Chit Chat: Breaking Down Sticky Client SituationsLinks:The Design Minimind - Applications open until Nov 20th!Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

✨ The Design Minimind - Apply Here (applications open until Nov 20th — limited spots are filling fast!)Episode Description:In this solo episode, I chat about some common mistakes brand and web design studio owners frequently make that are interfering with the growth and profitability as a business owner. Drawing from years of experience and observing patterns among my students in The Design Minimind as a mentor.Episode Mentioned:S5 E14: Iterating on the One-Concept MethodLinks:The Design Minimind - Applications open until Nov 20th!Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

The Design Minimind - Accepting Applications NOW OPEN! - Apply Here.___This week, I had a past Design Minimind student Shani of Shani Jay Creative on to talk about her experience in the program and how much of an impact it had on her business and the revenue goals she hit and surpassed! We talk about the importance of confidence, going all in, proper mindset, and strategic investments in building a sustainable and profitable design & web business.Guest Name: Shani JosefovitsGuest Website: shanijaycreative.comGuest IG: @shanijaycreativeReclaim Your Brand in 15 days: Sign up here.Links:The Design Minimind - Applications NOW OPEN! - Apply Here.Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

I’m back with another spooky client story episode in celebration of Halloween, with Audrey who is my production designer here at Hello June. We read your spooky stories that you submitted anonymously and Jen shares a spooky(kinda) lead that reached out to her as well!Guest Name: Audrey Humphreys (HJC's production designer!)Guest Website: audaciouscreativestudio.comGuest IG: @audaciouscreativestudioEpisodes Mentioned:S8 E12 | Spooooky Client Stories (Round 2) with Lauren BraierS6 E12 | Spooooky Client StoriesKenzi’s Podcast: The Unapologetic Designer Podcast00:00: Intro & info about my NEW offer *Scale with Confidence*13:24: Jen’s Spooky (kinda) Inquiry Story18:16: Spooky Client Story #124:38: Spooky Client Story #230:16: Spooky Client Story #335:04: Spooky Client Story #438:13: Spooky Client Story #543:23: Spooky Client Story #645:37: Spooky Client Story #746:21: “The Day I Met a Ghost..Kinda of” #848:20: Spooky Client Story #949:38: “The White Roses Incident” #1055:06: Halloween PlansLinks:The Design Minimind     • Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this episode, I chat with Katie of Katie Creative Co, who is a social media strategist. We dive into the nuances of using social media effectively—focusing on a people-first approach that prioritizes genuine relationships over algorithmic approval. Katie shares her tactical breakdown of growth, nurture, and connection content, the power of vulnerability and personal storytelling, and practical ways to avoid burnout. This episode is perfect for those looking to enhance their social media presence while staying authentic and avoiding burnout.Guest Name: Katie CampbellGuest Website: katiecreativecompany.comGuest IG: @katiecreativecoSocial Sweet Spot Course: Learn More00:00: Intro and Minimind Video Library Overview06:49: Challenges of Social Media for Service Providers08:01: The Biggest Mistake in Social Media Strategy08:56: Holistic Approach to Social Media Success11:56: Person-First Marketing Philosophy20:55: The Funnel Strategy for Social Media35:02: Setting Boundaries for Sharing Personal Life37:46: Pushing Comfort Zones in Social Media43:44: Balancing Digital Wellness49:59: Social Media Best Practices to Ignore51:59: Social Sweet Spot ProgramLinks:The Design Minimind      • Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

*Pre-order Octavo on Amazon*Episode Description:In this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with one of my design icons, Marty Neumeier, who is an accomplished designer and author. We chat about his new design-thriller book, The Scarlett Files/Octavo, his shift from non-fiction to fiction, and how he integrates design and writing within his work. Marty also shares how his early experiences shaped his career and why storytelling plays such an essential role in branding, design, and his writing.Guest Name: Marty NeumeierGuest Website: martyneumeier.comOctavo Book: Pre-order on AmazonSubstacksThe Scarlett Files: martyneumeier.substack.comLevel C: levelc.substack.com00:00: Intro & Minimind Wins From Past Students07:55: Marty's Journey in Design and Writing10:50: The Scarlet Files on Substack11:19: The Origins of Graphic Design12:58: Leonardo da Vinci's Influence16:33: Challenges of Writing Fiction18:49: The Intersection of Branding and Storytelling26:20: Marketing Strategies for Authors40:44: The Renaissance and Modern Story43:36: The Aldine Press and Its Innovations48:00: The Importance of Mentorship52:31: Level C: Master Classes for Professionals57:10: The Role of Testing in DesignLinks:The Design Minimind    • Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

*Submit your Spooky Client Stories* 👻 🕸️This week, I chat (Q&A style) with Julia Bocchese who is an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) expert, to discuss SEO strategies tailored specifically for web designers. We talk about the challenges and misconceptions around SEO, including client communication, expectations, and the technical nuances of ensuring sites rank well on Google. Key topics covered include the importance of user experience, site speed, mobile design, image optimization, and the role of tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics. The episode also addresses a bit about AI optimization as well.Guest Name: Julia BoccheseGuest Website: juliareneeconsulting.comGuest IG: @juliareneeconsultingSEO Tips for website designers: Read BlogCollaborations & Partnerships: Learn MoreSetting up Google Search Console: Watch Video00:00: Intro, Minimind Reviews, & Spooky Client Stories 05:40: Understanding SEO for Web Designers  06:37: Client Communication and SEO Expectations  07:43: SEO Challenges for Designers  09:33: User Experience 10:35: Site Speed Optimization Tips  13:17: Mobile Design 18:26: Accessibility  22:33: Website Launch and SEO Considerations  26:54: Google Search Console and Analytics Setup  28:16: Connecting Google Search Console to Your Website  33:34: SEO Myths and Misconceptions  37:15: Blogging and AI Optimization for SEO  41:27: Ways to Work with Julia Links:The Design Minimind      • Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**Some are affiliate links*Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer p

In this episode, I chat with Kayla Batista, owner of Brand Barista, all about her journey in the design industry and the unique dynamics of being a white label designer. Kayla shares her background, her transition from one-on-one client work to specializing in white label design, and the flexibility it brings, especially during challenging times. We delve into her business model, the nuances of pricing and process, and how to establish effective and respectful relationships between agency owners and white label designers. Kayla also talks about her course, 'The White Label Way,' and her upcoming Discord community, offering resources and support for designers interested in white label work. Whether you're looking to understand white label design or considering it as an income stream, this episode is packed with valuable insights.Guest Name: Kayla BatistaGuest Website: brandbarista.coGuest IG: @brandbaristaGuest Course: The White Label Way00:00: Intro & Minimind Resource Library03:00: Mini interview with my 5 yr old son Ryder04:49: Kayla's Design Journey06:44: Starting a Business Amidst Challenges08:39: The Shift to White Label Design09:25: Balancing Work and Personal Life12:51: What is White Label Design?28:58: Pricing Strategies for White Label Work30:01: Custom Proposals and Client Communication35:37: Building Long-Term Client Relationships39:26: Company Culture and Team Respect39:55: Kayla’s Course Info & Discord CommunityLinks:The Design Minimind• Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.**These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook CommunityOur WebsitePodcast InstagramHello June Creative InstagramThe Design MinimindJoin The Creative Diaries (my email list)Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design