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038 | Turmoil is Temporary, Street Signs are Forever with Jordis Small
In this episode, Kate sits down with Jordis Small, a brand designer, mom of three, and founder of her own creative studio. Jordis shares her winding path from fashion design to branding, her love for logos, and the realities of navigating motherhood while growing a successful design business.
They dive into how having kids reshaped Jordis' boundaries, her pricing mindset, and her entire design process. From outsourcing to setting firm workdays, Jordis gets real about what it takes to make it all work (hint: her mom is her “secret weapon”).
One of the standout moments in the episode? Jordis opens up about her city logo project for Redondo Beach—a career highlight turned public ordeal involving Facebook trolls, endless council meetings, and a surprise contest. Through it all, Jordis shares the tough lessons, the silver linings, and why she’s still proud to see her logo on the city’s street signs.
Whether you’re a fellow creative, a parent, or both — this episode is packed with real talk, business wisdom, and moments that’ll make you laugh, nod, and maybe even cringe (in solidarity).
Highlights
- Freelancing and Family Life: Jordis shares what it’s really like balancing three young kids with running a branding agency.
- Boundaries and Burnout: From late nights to letting go, Jordis opens up about how motherhood helped her build better business boundaries.
- Pro Bono? Babysit Instead: How Jordis reframes unpaid work in the context of limited time and full-on parenting.
- The Redondo Beach Saga: The dream project that nearly broke her—how a city logo project spiraled into seven council meetings, Facebook trolls, and public backlash.
- Designing for Community: What Jordis learned from working with a committee, a city council, and an entire town.
- Pricing for Sanity: Why Jordis now prices based on the number of decision-makers, not just deliverables.
- Business Babies and Letting Go: Jordis reflects on why branding is like parenting, and how designers need to let go once the project is out in the world.
Connect with Jordis Small online:
- Website
Connect with Kate Christy:
- Website
- Website (Podcast)
- Instagram (Podcast)
View all episodes
By Kate ChristyIn this episode, Kate sits down with Jordis Small, a brand designer, mom of three, and founder of her own creative studio. Jordis shares her winding path from fashion design to branding, her love for logos, and the realities of navigating motherhood while growing a successful design business.
They dive into how having kids reshaped Jordis' boundaries, her pricing mindset, and her entire design process. From outsourcing to setting firm workdays, Jordis gets real about what it takes to make it all work (hint: her mom is her “secret weapon”).
One of the standout moments in the episode? Jordis opens up about her city logo project for Redondo Beach—a career highlight turned public ordeal involving Facebook trolls, endless council meetings, and a surprise contest. Through it all, Jordis shares the tough lessons, the silver linings, and why she’s still proud to see her logo on the city’s street signs.
Whether you’re a fellow creative, a parent, or both — this episode is packed with real talk, business wisdom, and moments that’ll make you laugh, nod, and maybe even cringe (in solidarity).
Highlights
- Freelancing and Family Life: Jordis shares what it’s really like balancing three young kids with running a branding agency.
- Boundaries and Burnout: From late nights to letting go, Jordis opens up about how motherhood helped her build better business boundaries.
- Pro Bono? Babysit Instead: How Jordis reframes unpaid work in the context of limited time and full-on parenting.
- The Redondo Beach Saga: The dream project that nearly broke her—how a city logo project spiraled into seven council meetings, Facebook trolls, and public backlash.
- Designing for Community: What Jordis learned from working with a committee, a city council, and an entire town.
- Pricing for Sanity: Why Jordis now prices based on the number of decision-makers, not just deliverables.
- Business Babies and Letting Go: Jordis reflects on why branding is like parenting, and how designers need to let go once the project is out in the world.
Connect with Jordis Small online:
- Website
Connect with Kate Christy:
- Website
- Website (Podcast)
- Instagram (Podcast)