In this solo episode, I'm getting real about what five years of motherhood and business ownership looks like—and spoiler alert, it's nothing like I expected when my son was born back in 2020.

With baby two now in the mix, I'm diving into how being a mom has completely shifted alongside my career. We're talking daily schedules (chaos included), managing client expectations, and Dylan (my husband) now being home full-time with the kids. Plus the financial pressures of variable income and my ongoing feelings of mom guilt.

00:45 Motherhood & Business Q&A

02:15 Daily Schedule & Family Dynamics

07:15 Managing Client Expectations & Project Timelines

09:32 Financial & Growth Considerations

12:22 Personal Development & Mindset

20:33 Client Work & Creativity

24:20 Practical Day-to-Day Management

27:52 Long-Term Vision & Legacy

Episodes Mentioned:

Bonus Episode: Navigating Maternity Leave and Scaling a Business with a Newborn

S5 E21: 2-Year Update on Motherhood and Business

S7 E22: 3-Year Update on Motherhood and Business

S10 E6: 4-Year Update on Motherhood and Business

S9 E3: Steal My Web Design Process

S11 E7: What Happens After You Design a Website?

S11 E2: How to Take(Paid!) Extended Time Away from Your Business 

S11 E5: Making “The Leap” from Agency to Studio (and Balancing Mom Life) with Katie Higginbotham

S5 E14: Iterating on the One-Concept Method

S9E10: Entering a New Era of Brand Strategy with Marion Tan

S4 E3: All About Brand Strategy with Melinda Livsey

Links:

The Design Minimind / Get notified - Applications opens Nov '25

30% off of your HoneyBook subscription

1 month Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” 

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto

Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.

(Some are affiliate links)

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)

I’m back with another solo episode where I’m breaking down the complete Hello June offer suite and sharing why having flexible packages has been a total game-changer for the studio.

I discuss my four main package tiers, from full service brand and web combos down to essential branding offerings, plus all the add-ons that support them and how I customize each to fit the client. Plus, I'm sharing how to get valuable feedback from leads (even the ones who don't book) and why your offer suite should always be evolving.

Whether you're just starting out or ready to refine what you've got, this episode is for you.

Links Mentioned:

S11E17: How to Leverage Semi-Custom Web Design with Alex McGinness

S10 E10: How to Run a Successful (and Profitable) Design Intensive with Jenna Johnson

S7 E4: How to Structure, Price, Market, and Sell Design Intensives

The Design Minimind

    • Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

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

In this episode, Alex of Arcoiris Design Studio is back on the pod to talk all things semi-custom websites, and why it might just be the best thing for small boutique studios looking to scale without the stress.

They talk through how starting with a solid template can still lead to a high-end, unique result for clients, why not every business needs (or benefits from) a custom build, and how setting boundaries around scope and timelines can protect your time and profitability. This episode is full of helpful tips on creative direction, client communication, and finding smart ways to grow sustainably.

Whether you’re considering building a template shop, white-label web development offers, or simply want to streamline your process, this convo is full with honest insights and actionable takeaways.

Guest Information:

Guest Name: Alex McGinness

Guest Business Name: Arcoiris Design Studio

Guest Website: arcoiris.design

Guest Instagram: @arcoiris.design.studio

Links Mentioned:

S5 E23: Using Intuition in Your Design Process with Alex McGinness

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

The Design Minimind

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

In this solo episode, Jen’s chatting all about how she’s refined and streamlined her brand and web design process to better serve both her clients and her business.

 She emphasizes customizing workflows to fit different client needs, cutting unnecessary steps, and focusing on high-value tasks. Key changes include reducing client calls, minimizing lengthy brand strategy, and relying on simple, effective communication tools with her clients. 

Jen also shares practical tips such as live refinement sessions, unlimited revisions within a set time frame, and delivering social-media-ready assets upon off-boarding. These process shifts have saved time, allowed her to take on more projects, all while maintaining a high-quality client experience.

Links Mentioned:

S9E3: Steal My Web Design Process

S5E14: Iterating on the One-Concept Method

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

The Design Minimind

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, processes, brand and web design

In this episode, I’m chatting with Katie Higginbotham, previous minimind student of mine, designer, studio owner, creative director, and mom of three. We talk all about what it really looked like to make the leap from her established agency job to running her own studio.

With Mother’s Day just behind us, this convo feels especially timely. Katie shares how she knew it was time for a change, how she prepped for the transition, and what it’s been like balancing client work, a part-time role, and mom life all at once. We also dive into the honest truths, like mom guilt, chaotic schedules, and learning to protect the time that matters most.

Guest Information:

Guest Name: Katie Higginbotham

Guest Business Name: Katie Higginbotham Design

Guest Website: katie-higginbotham.com

Guest Instagram: @katie_higg_design

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

The Design Minimind

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

Branding Bestie Chit Chat is back and in this episode Lauren and Jen share honest examples of when things didn’t go quite as planned in their client projects from unclear direction to challenging feedback and how they navigated those moments. It’s a candid supportive conversation full of lessons learned growth moments and a few laughs as well.

Guest Information:

Guest Name: Lauren Braier

Guest Business Name: Elby Creative

Guest Website: elbycreative.com

Guest Instagram: @elbycreative

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

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

In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast, we sit down with Joy Warren, the creative force behind Joy Warren Creative — a full-service brand and web design studio known for its playful simplicity, vibrant use of color, and custom illustrations. Based just outside Raleigh, NC, Joy shares how she launched her business after relocating from Indiana and built a studio that celebrates and supports small, female-owned businesses.

We kick things off with a quick story time about how Joy’s business began, and then dive into a foundational concept for any designer: the offer suite. What is it, and why does it matter? Joy walks us through how her own suite of services has evolved — including a major shift away from her once-popular Mini Brands offer. She opens up about the mindset behind pivoting, how to stay responsive to your audience’s needs, and why flexibility in your offers is key to long-term success in the design industry.

Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, Joy’s thoughtful approach to building and refining your offers will leave you feeling inspired and ready to adapt.

Have you re-evaluated your own offer suite lately?

Guest Information:

Guest Name: Joy Warren

Guest Business Name: Joy Warren Creative

Guest Website: joy-warren.com

Guest Instagram: @joywarrencreative

Links Mentioned:

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

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

In this powerful and inspiring episode, we're joined by brand designer Alouette Marsh, whose journey is anything but ordinary. From facing the debilitating effects of endometriosis to rising above it and building a thriving design studio, Alouette shares her deeply personal story of resilience, creativity, and purpose.

We talk about the darkest moments of her health battle, the mindset shifts that helped her through, and the unexpected lessons she now carries into her business every day. Whether you're navigating your own challenges or simply need a reminder that growth is possible—even in the hardest seasons—this conversation is for you.

Guest Info:

Lark Brand Studio

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

In this episode of Better the Brand Designer Podcast, we’re diving into the ways design influences every part of our lives—far beyond our work as brand designers. Lauren shares how her love for interior design, wedding planning, and beautifully packaged products fuels her creativity, along with how house hunting has sharpened her ability to see potential in unexpected places. Jen talks about infusing creativity into everyday life, from crafting and needlepoint with her kids to designing her dream home. Plus, we explore how our experiences with client relationships and embracing different styles have shaped our design perspectives. Get ready for a fun, insightful chat about how the things we love outside of work make us better designers!

Guest Information:

Guest Name: Lauren Braier

Guest Business Name: Elby Creative

Guest Website: elbycreative.com

Guest Instagram: @elbycreative

Links Mentioned:

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

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

In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast, we’re diving into the legal side of branding with special guest Alli Elmunzer from Influencer Legal! As brand designers, we create visual identities that help businesses stand out—but how do we ensure those identities are legally protected?

Alli breaks down the key differences between a registered trademark (®), a trademark (™), and copyright (©), and explains when and why brand designers should start thinking about trademarking business names and logos. We’ll also discuss the first steps in guiding clients through the trademarking process and whether independent designers should consider trademarking their own business assets.

Guest Information:

Guest Name: Alli Elmunzer

Guest Business Name: Influencer Legal

Guest Website: https://influencerlegal.co/

Guest Instagram: @attorneyalli

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

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