Better: The Brand Designer Podcast

One of the questions we get asked most often is: how important is a college degree to running a brand design business? We’re here to chat through the things we found most valuable from our college experiences (Esther in Advertising with a Focus in Design and Jen in Journalism) and the things that we didn’t learn as much about (surprise: the technical side of brand and web design!) We’re both incredibly grateful for the people we are today due to our degrees, but we’re here to lay it all out as to whether what we learned in school had a direct, indirect, (or no direct) impact on our careers as independent brand design studio owners.Links Mentioned:Never Split the Difference by Chris VossProfit First by Mike MichalowiczThe Futur Podcast The Art of NegotiationStandout SquarespaceBranding with BreInbox Question:"Does anyone else neglect their brand as they are too busy working on everyone else?” — Maria CriderSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast

Have you ever wondered when to know it’s time to start outsourcing and building a team as a brand and web designer? Or what type of outsourcing should you look for? Or how you let go of control when outsourcing? These are all JUICY questions! In this episode, Kailyn Sprinkle, an Online Business Manager (and Esther’s previous VA!) shares her knowledge of the Online Service Provider world and her journey working with Brand and Web Designers.Guest Information:Guest Name: Kailyn SprinkleGuest Business Name: Kailyn Sprinkle Co.Guest Website: www.kailynsprinkle.comGuest Instagram: @kailynsprinkleLinks Mentioned:Jessica HawksGeorgia PetrouCourtney Wiemer + Kailyn Sprinkle Co Instagram ToolkitAlex Krahling Podcast: Brand HighInbox Question:“How do you message potential clients in a way that converts on social media?” — Lexie McCartySpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast

Are you stuck in the mindset that your schedule has to be 9-5 because that’s what everyone else is doing? Well we’re here to tell you that’s far from the truth! The truth is… you can craft your schedule intentionally to fit your needs! We all have different lifestyles, seasons, and energy shifts. In this episode we’re talking about working with your energy to make your schedule fit your needs and what to do when your schedule doesn’t go as planned.Links Mentioned:Mariah Coz: Fearless CEO — Champagne ClientInbox Question:“How do you attract higher paying clients?” - Natalia BabaliciSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast

In this episode we’re talking about being a being a consciously kind boss to yourself and making your business work on your OWN terms. Daniela from Lunaria Design shares how she has come to understand herself and her human design better, which in turn helps take care of her needs first, set boundaries, and be the best boss for herself.Guest Information:Guest Name: Daniela MartiGuest Business Name: Lunaria Design StudioGuest Website: www.lunariadesignstudio.comGuest Instagram: @lunaria.designLinks Mentioned:Get Your Human Design ChartInbox Question:“How can I learn to trust myself more and say no to projects that aren’t ideal, but help pay the bills?” — Mama & Co.Special thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast

Five years ago Carli dropped out of design school and started her own business with charging $200 a logo. Today, at 25 years old, She runs a multiple six-figure business that allows her to provide for her growing family, book dream projects at 15k+, all without selling her soul and every hour to her business. Now Carli is teaching other creatives how to charge more while still having more fun in their business. In this episode we talk to Carli about her story, why she's passionate about teaching others how to earn money, and her learnings on the path to success.Guest Information:Guest Name: Carli AnnaGuest Business Name: Carli Anna Co.Guest Website: https://carlianna.co/Guest Instagram: @carlianna_Links Mentioned:The Brand Mapping Method with Carli Anna10K Girl GangCE-Over-It PodcastInbox Question: "What's your worst client story? Spill the tea haha (Follow up to that Question: What advice would you give yourself looking back now that you have more experience?)" — Bianca MartinezSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast

Saying no to clients is tough! We easily can fool ourselves into saying yes to opportunities that might not be right fits for various reasons. The reasons might be niche, vibes, budget, workload, other red flags. Join our conversation to talk about how we filter clients, trusting our intuition, and saying no gracefully.Inbox Question:“How many offerings should you have as a designer?” — Bethany McCamishSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast

Packaging design is a whole other animal - and in our eyes, more complicated than Brand Identity design. There are so many steps, checklists, file types, and terms to understand, let alone legal specifications and printer communications to work through. We invited Lauren Braier, owner of Elby Creative and multipassionate entrepreneur with an emphasis on packaging design, to chat with us about what adding packaging design services to your offerings arsenal looks like.Elby Creative is a playfully modern design studio that transforms e-commerce brands into scroll-stopping sensations. In this episode Lauren shares loads of valuable information about what you need to know to work with packaging clients (and what pitfalls you need to avoid!) to step into the space with confidence.Guest Information:Guest Name: Lauren BraierGuest Business Name: Elby CreativeGuest Website: www.elbycreative.comGuest Instagram: @elbycreativeLinks Mentioned:Discount code for PDM: ‘better’ 75$ off enrollment — elbycreative.com/pdmInbox Question:"Could you share 5 valuable tips for your first month after launch?” — Sofia InacioSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast

Neurodivergence is the term for those whose brains function differently in one or more ways than is considered standard or typical. In this episode Lea Gucciardi, the Founder and Creative Director of Arq Design Studio, shares about her journey to becoming a multi-6-figure design studio owner, her experience with ADHD and how it impacts her life and business, her coding background, and her newest offer for designers who are looking to take their Shopify projects to the next level. We are so grateful to Lea for opening up to us and our listeners, and for her vulnerability, strength, and willingness to share her story publicly. It is our hope that through this episode, designers with neurodivergent minds feel less alone and and encouraged by Lea's story of resilience and success.Guest Information:Guest Name: Lea GucciardiGuest Business Name: Arq Design StudioGuest Website: https://www.arqdesign.studio/Guest Instagram: @arqshopifystudioLinks Mentioned:Lea's Shopify Codex CourseMorgan Rapp Design Biz MasterySquarestylist with RacheLinks & Resources from Lea:Youtube communityResources on DiagnosesInstagram communitySuccessful entrepreneurs who are very open about their experiencesPodcast episode worth listening toInbox Question: "What is the best way to overcome imposter syndrome?" — Headlands CreativeSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast

Do you ever find it hard to be inspired as a designer? Yes, there's the internet - design portfolios, digital magazines, Dribble, and Pinterest (oh, the joys and drool-worthiness of Pinterest!), and yet... sometimes it's hard to really get the juices flowing! In this episode, Esther and Jen talk about what inspires them both within the industry AND outside of it and discuss how to keep being on the hunt for different ways to bring a unique design perspective to the world.Links Mentioned:Branding with Bre from Rowan MadeThe Brand Gap by Mary NeumeirFont Inspiration:Fonts In UseTypewolfWebsite Inspiration:MaxiBestOfAwwwardsSite InspireCommerce CreamBrand Design Inspiration:Identity DesignedInspiration GridSephoraTargetCreative Magazines:Communication ArtsReal SimpleInbox Question: How do you prevent new brands from having an identity crisis? (I'm working with a startup)" — Keith TalusigSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast

Have you ever had a review session with a client and they're just not feeling the work you've created? We've been there! In this episode Jen and Esther talk about some of their experiences with push-back and how they worked through the problems to create better solutions for their clients.Links Mentioned:The Anti-Anxiety NotebookInbox Question: "How do you present your initial designs to the client? What do you include– how many logo/secondary logo ideas, how many fonts (and where to get fonts/legalities), do you photoshop a mock-up and include that with the package? Like what do you do lol" — Mackenzi ChapmanSpecial thanks to our producer Jon from Wayfare Recording Co.Connect With Us:Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterpodcast/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/betterpodcast