Kristin Silva and Jake Cooper dive into the realities of running a creative business—from strategic networking and portfolio challenges to marketing, sales, and client management. They reflect on local creative communities, the pitfalls of bad industry advice, and the tech gaps small businesses face. The conversation highlights the balance between strategy and execution, the evolution of design expectations, and the value of building habits, community, and sustainable creative practices.

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00:00 – Networking Events and Community Building

06:06 – The Value of Networking and Building Relationships

12:02 – The Importance of Strategic Networking

15:01 – Advice on Portfolio and Case Studies

27:12 – Balancing Depth and Simplicity in Portfolios

32:58 – The Gap in Tech Solutions for Small Businesses

39:03 – Rented vs. Owned Audiences in Marketing

50:59 – The Balance Between Creative Execution and Strategy

01:04:54 – Navigating Career Milestones and Creative Blocks

01:47:58 – Sales Strategies and Portfolio Management