Off By 2 : Brand Strategy & Business Growth for Founders Who Want More Freedom

What does a $250,000 branding and design project actually include?

In this episode, I’m sharing what happened when I landed the biggest design project of my career. It came with a high price tag, a full team, and a long timeline. But the biggest lessons weren’t about money or scope. They were about the kind of business I want to build.

You will learn:

• What went into a $250K branding project from start to finish
• How we managed multiple brands, teams, and timelines
• The surprising parts of high-ticket client work
• What this taught me about how I want to run my business
• Why “scaling” doesn’t always look the way you think it will

Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink what’s possible in your design business.

And if you're tired of wasting time on invoices, tracking payments, or chasing overdue bills, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FreshBooks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s the all-in-one invoicing and accounting software I use to stay organized and focus more on design - not admin.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/⁠⁠⁠⁠

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

You’ve heard designers talk about rebrands. But what does it actually feel like on the founder’s side? In this episode, I sat down with the creators of three beverage brands who’ve rebranded their products multiple times — and they didn’t hold back. We talked about design, shelf presence, retail growth, visual strategy, and how branding decisions get made when real money is on the line.

You’ll learn:

• Why this brand went through three rebrands
• What founders value most in design partnerships
• The surprising ways visuals impact shelf sales
• How to make your work more strategic and founder-friendly

Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to redefine how you run your design business.

And if you're tired of wasting time on invoices, tracking payments, or chasing overdue bills, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FreshBooks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s the all-in-one invoicing and accounting software I use to stay organized and focus more on design - not admin.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/⁠⁠⁠⁠

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

Scaling your design business doesn’t have to mean overworking, overdelivering, or overcomplicating everything. I spent years trying to grow by doing more. More services. More clients. More offers. And all it did was push me closer to burnout. In this episode, I’m walking you through how I shifted into sustainable growth by simplifying what worked, protecting my energy, and structuring my week like a real CEO. If your business feels heavy or chaotic, this is your reset.

You will learn:

• What actually causes burnout when trying to scale
• How to structure your week so your business becomes scalable
• What to delegate first, even if you’re not fully booked
• How to simplify offers, team, and systems to support growth
• Why doing less is the fastest way to scale sustainably

Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to scale your design business without burning out.

And if you're tired of wasting time on invoices, tracking payments, or chasing overdue bills, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FreshBooks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s the all-in-one invoicing and accounting software I use to stay organized and focus more on design - not admin.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/⁠⁠⁠⁠

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

You don’t become an agency owner by accident. It takes intention, structure, and a shift in how you think about money, clients, and your own value. I spent years making mistakes that kept me stuck in the freelance cycle. From undercharging and customizing every project to thinking hiring was only for people who were ready. In this episode, I’m walking you through everything I wish I knew earlier so you can skip the struggle and step into your next level faster.

You will learn:

• Why productizing your services leads to better clients and more freedom
• How to stop underpricing and start thinking like a CEO
• What your first hire should actually be and it’s probably not a designer
• The difference between selling design and selling results
• The mindset shift that helped me go from surviving to scaling

Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to build the business you actually want.

And if you're tired of wasting time on invoices, tracking payments, or chasing overdue bills, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FreshBooks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s the all-in-one invoicing and accounting software I use to stay organized and focus more on design - not admin.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: ⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/⁠⁠⁠

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

Most designers think they need a fancy funnel to book high-paying clients. Freebies, automations, email sequences, nurture series. But the truth is, premium design clients are not waiting for your welcome email. They are actively looking for someone right now and they want clarity, confidence, and a clear next step. In this episode, I’ll show you how to build a simple funnel that actually works for a design business. One that positions you as the expert and gets more qualified inquiries without overcomplicating anything.

You will learn:

• Why traditional funnels do not work for premium design services
• The three parts your website must have to convert visitors into clients
• What your call to action should say and where it should be
• How to remove the friction that causes clients to ghost
• What to include on your site that builds trust instantly

Close the tabs, grab your favorite drink, and let’s upgrade how you attract serious clients.

And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wix Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/⁠⁠

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

Most designers think they need to learn more skills or work more hours to grow their income. But the truth is, your next level might be as simple as adding one high-value offer. In this episode, I share why web design is one of the smartest ways to grow your revenue without burning out. I’ll show you how to position it, how I structure my process, and why it can turn one-time clients into long-term partnerships.

You will learn:

• Why web design is easier to sell than branding alone
• How to simplify your process and avoid tech overwhelm
• What makes web design naturally scalable and recurring
• How to position websites as strategic solutions, not just design
• My exact $9K to $12K web package structure

Pour your coffee, grab your notebook, and let’s rethink how you grow your design business with less stress and more strategy.

And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wix Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/⁠⁠

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

Can you run multiple creative businesses and still stay focused? In this episode, I talk to Ed Prowell, founder of Potting Shed, about what it takes to run a successful brand and digital studio, work with global clients, and build a company that thrives without chaos. We also unpack how neurodiversity impacts entrepreneurship, what AI is doing to the creative industry, and how to build systems that let your creativity shine.

You will learn:

• How Ed built a flexible yet focused multi-brand studio
• Why operations are just as important as creativity
• How to use AI in your agency without losing the human touch
• Why referrals are your most powerful lead source
• What tools successful agencies use to stay organized

Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to redefine how you run your design business!

And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wix Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/⁠⁠

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

If you feel stuck charging two or three thousand per project no matter how good your work is, this episode is for you.

I am breaking down the exact reasons most designers plateau at low rates and how to shift your positioning so you can finally start booking premium clients. High-paying clients are not just buying deliverables. They are investing in transformation, clarity, and confidence. Your offer has to reflect that.

You will learn:

• Why your current offer might be pushing good clients away
• How to position your services for results instead of tasks
• The mindset difference between three thousand and ten thousand dollar designers
• What premium clients are actually looking for
• How to build a focused offer that scales your income

Grab your notebook, hit play, and let’s shift how you think about value so you can finally raise your prices with confidence.

And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wix Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/⁠⁠

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

If your portfolio looks like a collection of everything you have ever designed, that might be exactly why high-paying clients are not reaching out.

In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer, I am sharing the portfolio mistake that keeps talented designers stuck at low-paying projects. This is not about your design skills. It is about how you present your work, how you curate your portfolio, and how you guide potential clients to trust that you are the right designer for them.

You will learn:

• Why showing less can help you book more
• What high-paying clients actually want to see in a portfolio
• The exact structure of a strong case study
• How to align your portfolio with the services you offer
• What to remove immediately if you want to attract better clients

Grab your coffee and your notes. It is time to turn your portfolio into a tool that sells.

And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out ⁠⁠⁠Wix Studio⁠⁠⁠. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: ⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/⁠

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator

If you’ve ever looked at a clean, elevated brand and thought, “How do they make it look so effortless?” - this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Ayelet, a designer known for her intentional, minimal style and smart systems behind the visuals. We talked about how she approaches branding, her favorite tools (like Notion and Wix Studio), the role of AI in design, and how she keeps things creatively exciting even after years in the field.

This episode is packed with perspective on staying inspired, building a brand system that actually works, and taking more creative control as a designer.

You’ll learn:

• How to develop a signature aesthetic
• Ayelet’s go-to process for branding and web design
• How to handle micromanaging clients with grace
• Tools that make web design easier (yes, even if you don’t code)
• What’s next in design and how to stay ahead

Grab your coffee and tune in - this one’s for designers who care about both beauty and impact.

And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out ⁠⁠Wix Studio⁠⁠. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.

Aventive Academy’s Resources:

From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/

$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/⁠⁠

Client Portal for Designers: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/⁠⁠

The Wealthy Client Blueprint: ⁠⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/⁠⁠

Mockup Magic: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/⁠⁠

Brand Guidelines Template: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/⁠⁠

12-Week Business Program for Designers: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/profit⁠⁠

Join My Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f⁠⁠

The Creative CEO Accelerator: ⁠⁠https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator