Do you have a word that will guide and inspire you throughout 2025? In this episode, we explore the transformative power of choosing a single word to set the tone for the year ahead. Learn how a word can help you focus your energy, clarify your goals, and create meaningful changes in both your business and personal life.

We share practical strategies for selecting your word, defining its impact, and using it as a catalyst for growth. Discover how your word can become a powerful tool for transformation and intention as you move into the new year.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (02:09) The importance of choosing a word for the year
• (03:32) How Melissa's 2025 word, "release," is transforming her life
• (07:17) Why releasing creates space for new opportunities
• (09:10) How to identify a word that resonates with your goals
• (15:14) Writing down your word's impact to embody its meaning
• (22:12) Releasing outdated habits, tools, and relationships
• (31:19) Welcoming space for imagination and creativity
• (45:55) The value of a word-driven mindset for personal and professional growth

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are your fears holding you back from the success you desire in your design business? In this episode, we explore how fear can manifest in our professional lives and prevent us from reaching our full potential. We share practical strategies to recognize, understand, and overcome fears so that you can confidently move toward your goals.

From unpacking the root of fear to using it as fuel for growth, this episode offers tools to help you transform fear into a powerful ally in your design journey. Learn how to embrace fear, shift your mindset, and step boldly into your next level of success.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (04:19) Key questions to ask when fear arises in your business
• (05:42) Why many designers fear success more than failure
• (07:54) Breaking the myth of success requiring sacrifice
• (09:43) The impact of relationships on your growth and mindset
• (14:15) Understanding fear as a false expectation appearing real
• (17:14) Turning fear into fuel for transformation
• (26:57) Embracing vulnerability as a strength in business
• (39:02) Cultivating a growth mindset to move past fear

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and elevate your design business? In this episode, we learn about ten ways to stretch yourself for greater success in your design practice. Learn how to push past perceived limits, adopt new strategies, and embrace growth that aligns with your goals and values.

From adjusting your rates to redesigning your office, each stretch is designed to help you enhance your productivity, boost your confidence, and create a more fulfilling business. Tune in to discover how to make meaningful changes that will propel your business forward.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:53) The difference between a good stretch and being stretched too thin
• (05:48) Why a rate increase can transform your profitability
• (08:29) The power of hiring before you're ready
• (11:55) Setting goals that challenge and inspire you
• (14:50) Investing in coaching as a catalyst for growth
• (19:32) Refreshing your resources to keep your designs original
• (25:05) Exploring new markets and design events
• (27:57) How a process upgrade improves efficiency and client satisfaction
• (30:53) The benefits of waking up earlier or optimizing your routine
• (38:58) Redesigning your office to create an energizing workspace

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are incompletions in your business and life quietly draining your energy and holding you back? In this episode, we dive into how unfinished tasks, unfulfilled promises, and open loops create stress, sap productivity, and sabotage your design business success.

Join us as we explore strategies to identify and tackle incompletions, from cleaning up your marketing efforts to addressing lingering projects. Learn how creating a master list, categorizing tasks, and finishing what you start can help you reclaim your energy and set the stage for a productive and profitable year.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:54) How incompletions act as energy drainers and mental dust catchers
• (03:22) The hidden cost of unused trainings and apps
• (06:44) Why clearing debt faster helps you stay focused and stress-free
• (10:50) Following through on promises to clients, family, and friends
• (17:13) The impact of unfinished personal projects and clutter on focus
• (23:37) Avoiding multitasking and building a team of finishers
• (26:59) How to craft a master list of incompletions and achieve a sense of accomplishment

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you ready to experience success in your design business without sacrificing your personal life, time, or energy? In this episode, we explore how you can streamline your business operations, attract quality clients, and set boundaries that give you freedom without compromising profitability.

Discover the most common traps holding designers back, from relying solely on word-of-mouth marketing to inefficient project management. Learn how to implement smarter systems, refine your client processes, and step into a business model that supports your creativity and growth.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:56) Why hourly rates may be limiting your business growth
• (03:44) How sacrificing personal time creates a hamster-wheel business
• (06:19) The value of attracting and working with high-quality clients
• (07:47) Why a 7-10 step process positions you as an expert
• (09:43) Improving project management and communication for client satisfaction
• (11:14) How marketing clarity builds confidence and attracts ideal clients
• (17:53) The role of systems and automation in reclaiming your time

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

What’s stopping you from achieving everything you want in your design business? In this episode, we explore how your brain’s natural resistance to change might be holding you back—and how you can overcome it. Learn how to interrupt unproductive patterns, take decisive action, and push through challenges to create a thriving design business.

Join us as we dive into strategies for breaking free from comfort zones, building better habits, and implementing smart systems to streamline your operations, attract higher-quality clients, and deliver exceptional results.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (02:15) How your brain resists change and ways to overcome it
• (05:47) The power of small actions to interrupt unproductive patterns
• (10:26) Steps to effectively hire and onboard new team members
• (17:08) Finding quality outsourcing providers for tasks like CAD
• (19:02) Leveraging local events for networking and marketing
• (30:47) Implementing a robust, fee-based discovery process
• (32:00) Why exclusivity in your calendar attracts better clients

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you unintentionally crossing ethical or legal boundaries in your design business? In this episode, we explore the critical differences between copyright infringement and plagiarism, and why understanding these distinctions is essential for every designer. Learn how to protect your intellectual property and avoid common pitfalls that could lead to legal troubles or ethical dilemmas.

Join us as we discuss real-life examples of plagiarism in design, from copied templates to uncredited inspirations, and strategies to maintain originality and integrity in your work.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (01:44) The difference between copyright infringement and plagiarism
• (03:13) Common examples of copyright breaches in design
• (06:08) Ethical challenges with uncredited inspirations
• (07:47) How creativity and originality keep designers out of trouble
• (13:04) Discovering and defining your design hallmarks
• (20:25) A personal story of dealing with website plagiarism
• (23:33) Why paying for templates and using original designs matters

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Fancy Girl Design Studio: fancygirldesignstudio.com

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you unintentionally holding back your design business from success? In this episode, we uncover the hidden ways designers often avoid progress without realizing it. From prioritizing the wrong tasks to avoiding in-person connections, these subtle habits can prevent growth and impact your success.

Join us as we discuss the importance of focusing on lead generation, leveraging local events, and overcoming perfectionism in portfolio presentation. Discover how small shifts in mindset and behavior can help you attract more clients, increase profitability, and create a sustainable, rewarding design business.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (02:05) The hidden ways designers avoid success without realizing it
• (03:03) Why in-person connections outperform traditional advertising
• (05:29) Prioritizing lead generation over processes and systems
• (10:46) Overcoming perfectionism in your portfolio to showcase your work
• (15:31) The importance of having a phone number for client inquiries
• (18:13) Simplifying your service offerings for clarity
• (22:44) The power of being your own billboard at local events
• (27:40) How diverse events and networking build profitable relationships

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Eventbrite: eventbrite.com

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations, book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Are you looking to quickly boost profitability and attract more clients to your design business? In this episode, we cover ten actionable steps to drive higher profits and secure more clients without overcomplicating your strategy. These methods are designed for busy designers who want practical and effective tools to see results fast.

From pricing adjustments to optimizing your client intake process, each tip is crafted to address common pain points and help you stand out in a crowded market. Tune in to learn how you can create immediate impact and build a business that aligns with your values and goals.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (03:12) Setting profitable pricing that reflects your value
• (08:25) Streamlining your client intake process for efficiency
• (13:45) Using testimonials to build social proof
• (17:20) Creating a signature service that differentiates your business
• (21:40) Leveraging client referrals for organic growth
• (26:15) Tracking key metrics for continuous improvement
• (29:30) Building strong relationships for client retention
• (34:50) Upselling services to maximize each project

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.

Have you ever wondered why some sales strategies work effortlessly while others fall flat? The answer often lies in psychology. In this episode, I share 15 additional psychological and emotional triggers that can help you sell more design services by understanding how clients think and feel. Building on the triggers from the previous episode, these strategies are designed to empower you to make genuine connections, build trust, and lead clients to say "yes" confidently.

In this episode, I discuss how to use triggers like exclusivity, belonging, and scarcity to elevate your design business. You’ll learn how to position your services as exclusive, create a sense of belonging for your clients, and apply principles of familiarity and specificity to boost credibility. These triggers will help you guide clients toward making decisions that feel authentic, beneficial, and rewarding.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR:

• (06:45) How exclusivity and belonging strengthen client connections
• (13:56) Creating urgency and value with the desire to collect and scarcity
• (20:33) Aligning with client values through guilt and specificity
• (23:34) Building trust using familiarity and patterning
• (28:56) Boosting engagement with harmonization and rewards
• (33:20) Simplifying choices to enhance capability and reduce overwhelm
• (36:35) Shaping client satisfaction with contentment and perception
• (38:34) Driving commitment with self-liquidation strategies

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Triggers by Joe Sugarman

Joe Polish website

The Genius Network website

When you’re ready to step into a bigger vision in your design business and create exceptional results and celebrations book-a-call to explore how coaching can take you there faster, with a solid plan, proven process, and smart strategies.