In this episode of The Designated Designer, I’m joined by the lovely Vickie Moore from Design Some Moore! She's a fellow creative spirit navigating the wild world of freelancing, design education, and community building!

We talk about the messy middle of figuring it all out — from leaving the 9–5 to embracing self-discovery, learning the business side of design, and finding your creative rhythm along the way. Vickie opens up about how hosting co-working calls positively impacted her career, what design school didn’t teach, and why meaning matters more than just making things pretty.

If you’ve ever felt alone on your design journey or unsure of your next creative step, this one’s a reminder that we’re all figuring it out together! One project, one client, and one breakthrough at a time 💖✨

This week, I sat down with Gareth; a seasoned UK-based designer whose story is as much about resilience as it is about design. From the early days of chasing creative work, to backpacking across Australia, to facing the ripple effects of Brexit and COVID in his business, Gareth’s path has been anything but straightforward.

We talk about why networking is non-negotiable, how rebranding his business to Graphic Studio simplified everything, and why trusting your gut is one of the most underrated tools in business. Gareth also opens up about mental health, pacing yourself to avoid burnout, and why growth often comes from stepping way outside your comfort zone.

If you’ve ever felt like your creative journey is full of detours, setbacks, and second guesses — this conversation is proof that those twists and turns might just be leading you somewhere better. ✨

Remember that episode I did where I tried to tackle finances as a creative? Well, after posting it I felt like I didn’t fully answer my listener’s question the way I wanted to. Why? Because I’m not a financial professional (shocking, I know 😅). So I decided to fix that.

In this episode, I brought in financial expert Mike Braun to really dig into the money side of being a solopreneur. We talk QuickBooks vs. FreshBooks, invoicing, payment terms, how to avoid check headaches, banking choices, payroll, taxes, and all the unglamorous but totally necessary stuff that makes running your creative business actually sustainable.

If you’ve ever felt like money management is the missing puzzle piece in your business, this one’s for you. Think of it as the follow-up episode you didn’t know you needed—but your bank account will thank you for.

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I sit down with my client-turned-guest, Dan Ehlman.

Dan has a fascinating story—he started out in graphic design before moving into the junk removal industry, and along the way, he’s picked up some big lessons about business, branding, and collaboration.

We talk about what it’s really like to work together as designer and client, why revisions aren’t failures but stepping stones, and how trust shapes the entire creative process.

Dan also opens up about networking, keeping momentum through slow seasons, and the power of branding to make a business truly visible. This one’s part design talk, part business wisdom, and part behind-the-scenes peek into what collaboration can look like when it’s rooted in curiosity and confidence.

What’s it really like to run a business before you’ve even tossed your graduation cap?

In this episode, I sit down with Thomas (a web designer, entrepreneur, and yes, high school student) to talk about the ups, downs, and unexpected lessons of starting young. We get into everything from pricing with confidence (no matter your age) to navigating teen hustle culture, finding balance, and building a supportive community that actually gets you.

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting to dream up your first side hustle, Thomas’s story is proof that it’s never too early, or too late, to go after what you love!

If the money side of business has ever made you wanna scream into the void—welcome, friend. 👋🏻

In this episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on how I’ve been managing (and learning through) the financial side of entrepreneurship. From my love-hate relationship with QuickBooks to finally finding a bank that works with me (not against me), I’m sharing the systems, hiccups, and real-deal strategies that have helped me keep things afloat. No fluff, no shame—just the kind of honest convo I wish someone had with me when I started.

In this solo episode, we're diving headfirst into the quiet burnout that so many creatives face behind the scenes and the inner work it takes to begin to recover from it.

From the pressure to perform on social media to the guilt that sneaks in when you rest, we're unpacking all the tough but necessary lessons of reclaiming your time, your peace, and your priorities.

I'll be sharing some honest reflections on what it means to care for your creative self without losing your ambition — and how small acts of self-kindness, from workspace makeovers to offline connection, can help reignite your spark. This episode is a soft reminder that the path to a fulfilling business starts with a balanced, well-supported you.

For the burnt-out creatives, the overthinkers, and anyone learning to treat themselves with the same grace they give their work — this one’s for you. ✨

What if the secret to unforgettable client experiences wasn’t more automation, but more personality?

In this guest episode, I sit down with my fellow creative and alumni from Kutztown University: Xander to unpack the idea of Unreasonable Hospitality and how going just a little further than expected can completely change how clients remember, trust, and refer you. We talk about the power of personal touch, how small moments can leave a big impact, and how systems (like Notion!) can help you create experiences that feel custom without costing your sanity.

We also get into why branding isn’t just about standing out, it’s about creating something that can be felt. This one’s for any designer or creative who wants to lead with more heart, serve with more intention, and never lose the magic that makes our work matter.

You can find Xander:

https://alexspanglerart.wixsite.com/alexander-spangler-d

https://www.instagram.com/xanders_illustrator/

linktr.ee/XanderS_Illustrator