In this solo episode, as I'm in my 14th season of the podcast and 8th year in business, I chat about things that have changed since I started in 2019, and share what I would do differently and things I would prioritize sooner if I were starting my creative business today.

Links:

The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 25% 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 Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join 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

Grab Kayla's Website Copy Compendium today and use code BETTERPOD to save $200 on personal or commercial.

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In this episode, I talk with Kayla Dean, website copywriter, messaging strategist, and owner of The Literary Co. We chat about why messaging and positioning are often the missing link for designers who want high-ticket clients, and how strong copy can reduce pricing pushback, attract better-fit leads, and support what your portfolio already proves.

Guest Name: Kayla Dean

Guest Website: theliterary.co

Guest IG: @theliterary.co

Guest Threads: @theliterary.co

Website Copy Compendium: theliterary.co/wcc - Use code BETTERPOD and save $200 on personal or commercial.

Trust Triggers: Get your Free Guide Here

Links:

The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 25% 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 Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join 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

In this first episode of season 14, I talk with Steven Wakabayashi, creative director and founder of Stranger Creative, about building a strong company culture in a fully remote, globally distributed agency, what it really takes to grow from freelance-style work into a sustainable team, and having the right mindset as a business owner. We also chat about how we work with talented freelancers across different areas of design expertise, and how that produces top tier work for our clients.

Guest Name: Steven Wakabayashi

Guest Websites: strangercreative.com / stevenwakabayashi.com/speaking

Guest Linkedin: inkedin.com/stevenwakabayashi

Guest Substack: strangercreative.substack.com

Guest Podcast: Yellow Glitter

Links Mentioned:

Just Works

QTBIPOC Design (nonprofit organization)

Links:

The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

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 Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join 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

In this week's episode I have fellow designer, mom, and business owner Olivia Austin back on the podcast. We chat about the things that don't matter and the things that really do when growing and running a business, and how becoming a mom has made all of that even clearer. Her last episode with me was back in 2022 and so much has changed since we last talked.

Guest Name: Olivia Austin

Guest Website: byoliviaaustin.com & thestudio.co

Guest Social: @thestudio.co & @byoliviaaustin

Guest Podcast: Behind the Design

Course: Studio Growth Accelerator

Previous Guest Episode: S6 E5: Hiring a Team that Supports Your Vision with Olivia Austin

Links:

The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

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 Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join 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, motherhood and business

This week I chatted with Brooke Apffel about building her digital marketing business, Coastal Collective Marketing (CoCo), from the ground up, growing it into an agency with a team, and what the process looked like to eventually sell through an acquisition. We also talk about her social media masterclass, a course I took personally and highly recommend!

Guest Name: Brooke Apffel

Guest Website: coastalcollectivemarketing.com

Guest Social: @coastalcollectivemarketing

The Course: The Social Media Manager Masterclass

Links:

The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

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 Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join 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

In this weeks episode, I'm chatting with my friend Amanda, owner of Mandy Lee Studio (formerly Poised Avenue), who specializes in stationery, print design, and design licensing.
We talk about why print still matters in a world of digital noise and AI, how tactile collateral can strengthen a brand experience, and how to educate your clients on print and all the possibilities it opens up to elevate their brand presence beyond just digital.

Guest Name: Amanda DeWoody

Guest Website: mandylee.studio

Guest Email: hello@mandylee.studio

Guest Substack: amandadewoody.substack.com

Guest Social: @signedmandylee

Links:

The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers

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 Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join 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

In this week's episode, I talk with brand leader and author Anthony Reeves, who has led the creative teams for major brands like Amazon, Airbnb, Kohler, and more. We talk about his book, Eat the Donkey, what inspired the title, and the idea of making hard short-term choices for long-term success. We also talk about AI and his take on how both small and large companies should be using it while still preserving that human element.

Guest Name: Anthony Reeves

Guest Website: anthonyreeves.co

Guest Linkedin: Connect with Anthony

Eat the Donkey Book: Buy on Amazon

Links:

The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.

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 Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join 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

In this solo episode, I chat about my new mini version of the Minimind (the Mirco Mind) and share what we cover in the 4 month program kicking off in August! I also share real pricing & wins from my Design Minimind Program and what they are charging. They discuss the projects they are booking and what they are charging.

Interested in the upcoming Micro Mind (mini 4-month Minimind)? Applications for are now open and live! Apply here

00:00 Intro & overview of the mini Minimind program (The Mirco Mind!)

07:25: Reading student screenshots | What designers are charging.

Links:

The Design Minimind - My 1:1 coaching program for designers

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Become a member of Editorial Stock images and use code “BETTER15” to receive 15% off your membership.

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 Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join 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