In this week's episode, we talk with graphic designer, illustrator, lettering artist, and all-around creative entrepreneur Dan Lee.

We've admired Dan's work for years. At Creative South 2026, we finally got to sit down with him, and we walked away struck by his optimism about the creative industry, his genuine love for other creatives, and his impeccable style (he was sporting a Westersen hat from Don Clark's western wear venture — see episode 28).

Here's some of what we get into:

• How to leave a "safe" career without feeling like you wasted everything that came before it. Dan has a degree in chemical engineering, and his escape route is a masterclass in transitioning to work you love.
• The simple journaling practice Dan uses to turn vague creative ambitions into real projects and clear decisions.
• The tested secret to steady creative work. It depends less on constantly finding new clients and more on building relationships that make you the easy choice to come back to.
• The one habit that makes clients want to keep working with you. And no, it's not being cheaper, faster, or flashier.
• The Shopping Cart Problem. The strangely addictive debate we've been having with everyone about putting your cart back. We think it goes way deeper than shopping carts. You be the judge.

It's a conversation about changing direction, finding your people, serving customers well, and building a creative career without waiting for permission — or following the supposedly correct sequence of steps.

ABOUT DAN LEE

Dan Lee is an artist, writer, illustrator, and designer specializing in hand lettering. A Philly kid now based in Sheridan, Wyoming, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering, then taught himself to draw words instead. He's the lead artist behind moto lifestyle brand Go Fast Don't Die, and he brings an engineer's eye for structure to compositions that run from four words to a hundred.

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Brad Woodard

Brad is an illustrator and designer behind Brave the Woods, a full-service studio working with clients like PBS Kids, Ford, Target, and USPS. His bold, playful style and heart-led storytelling shine through everything from brand campaigns to children’s books.

View Brave the Woods

Dustin Lee

Dustin is the founder of RetroSupply, a shop for retro-inspired brushes, textures, and digital tools used by tens of thousands of creatives from indie artists to major studios. He shares what it’s really like to run a creative business while keeping it small, weird, and intentional.

View RetroSupply

Credits

Audio/video editing: Clara Wright
Cover art: Brad Woodard
Intro animation: Seth Austin
Intro music: “Snakes and Fire” (Instrumental) by Pär Hagström