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Off By 2 : Brand Strategy & Business Growth for Founders Who Want More Freedom
Off By 2 : Brand Strategy & Business Growth for Founders Who Want More Freedom episodes
- What Makes a Designer Stand Out ($10k+ Projects) | EP 202
Most designers think landing high end projects is about better aesthetics or more visibility. It is not. The difference between a three thousand dollar project and a ten thousand dollar project almost always comes down to clarity. In this episode, I break down what actually makes a designer high end, why positioning matters more than your list of services, and how authority driven content and a single clear offer change how clients perceive your value. If you are a freelance designer or brand and web designer trying to figure out how to get graphic design clients who are ready to invest, this episode will help you rethink how you show up as a creative CEO and design business owner.
You will learn:
- Why high end designers do not blend in even in crowded markets
- How positioning becomes the real product you are selling
- Why choosing a niche creates more demand, not less
- How authority content attracts better clients without posting more
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to see why standing out is a decision, not a design style.
Aventive Academy’s Resources:
Fully Booked Designer (6-week biz program) : https://aventiveacademy.com/fullybookeddesigner/
From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/
Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/
The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/
Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/
The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
20 min - How Designers Can Book Clients During Slow Seasons | EP 201
A quiet inbox has a way of making confident designers doubt everything. Your pricing. Your positioning. Your experience. I have watched this happen in my own business and with hundreds of designers I have worked with. In this episode, I break down why slow seasons are normal, why panic is the most expensive reaction you can have, and how I use slower periods to think and act like a creative CEO instead of reacting like a freelancer. If you are a freelance designer or brand and web designer trying to figure out how to get graphic design clients without undercutting yourself, this episode will help you see slow seasons very differently.
You will learn:
- Why slow seasons are part of a healthy design business
- How panic damages pricing design services and client trust
- What slow periods reveal about your positioning and pipeline
- How to think like a design business owner when things feel quiet
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to stop fearing slow seasons and start using them.
Aventive Academy’s Resources:
Fully Booked Designer (6-week biz program) : https://aventiveacademy.com/fullybookeddesigner/
From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/
Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/
The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/
Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/
The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
21 min - It’s Not the Algorithm. It’s Your Personal Brand w/ Chris Do | EP 200
Posting consistently, telling better stories, doing everything right and still watching your growth stall is frustrating. For this milestone 200th episode, I sat down with Chris Do for a very honest conversation about what actually builds a personal brand when algorithms change and attention is harder than ever to earn.
We talked about identity before content, confidence before visibility, and why so many freelance designers and design business owners feel invisible online even when their work is strong. I also shared my own experiences as a creative CEO navigating content, positioning, and showing up as a brand and web designer without burning out or oversharing.
This conversation is less about hacks and more about clarity, intention, and building something that lasts if you care about how to get graphic design clients and grow a sustainable design business.You will learn:
- What most freelance designers miss before they start posting online
- Why good content is not enough to attract the right clients anymore
- How to build a personal brand that feels cohesive instead of scattered
- What to share and what to keep private as a creative CEO
- How to think long term as a design business owner
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink how you show up, why you create content, and what kind of brand you actually want to build.
About Chris Do
Chris Do is a self described loud introvert, Emmy award winning designer and educator, and the founder of The Futur, an education and content platform at the intersection of design, business, and personal branding. He is widely known for helping creatives build clarity, confidence, and sustainable businesses by strengthening their personal brand, communication, and thinking. His mission is to teach one billion people how to make a living doing what they love.Connect with Chris
Website https://www.thefutur.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere
Book Pocket Full of Do https://www.thefutur.com/pocketfullofdoAventive Academy’s Resources:
Fully Booked Designer (6-week biz program) : https://aventiveacademy.com/fullybookeddesigner/
From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/
Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/
The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/
Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/
The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
39 min - The Only 3 Marketing Activities That Grow a Design Business | EP 199
Most designers think they need more content, more platforms, or more exposure to grow. That is not the problem. The real issue is misalignment. I see so many talented designers working nonstop and still struggling with unpredictable income. In this episode, I break down the only three marketing activities that actually grow a design business and why everything else is just noise. If you are a freelance designer or a brand and web designer trying to figure out how to get graphic design clients without burning out, this will give you clarity. This is about building trust, creating momentum, and thinking like a creative CEO instead of chasing tactics.
You will learn:
- Why most marketing advice keeps design business owners stuck
- How positioning driven content attracts better clients
- What relationship based visibility really looks like
- Why conversion assets matter more than posting more
- How these three activities work together to compound growth
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink how you market your design business.
Aventive Academy’s Resources:
Fully Booked Designer (6-week biz program) : https://aventiveacademy.com/fullybookeddesigner/
From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/
Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/
The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/
Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/
The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
19 min - How to Stand Out in a Saturated Design Market | EP 198
The design market feels louder and more competitive than ever, and yet the designers who truly stand out are not doing anything flashy. They are doing something much simpler. They are clear. In this episode, I am breaking down why the market feels saturated, why being talented is not enough, and what actually makes clients choose one freelance designer over another. If you are a brand and web designer or a design business owner who feels stuck competing on price or struggling with how to get graphic design clients, this conversation will change how you see your positioning, your portfolio, and your role as a creative CEO.
You will learn:
- Why the design market is not saturated, it is just confusing
- What makes clients trust one freelance designer over another
- How clarity impacts pricing design services and client proposals
- Why strategy, not aesthetics, is what helps designers stand out
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink how you position yourself in a crowded market.
Aventive Academy’s Resources:
Fully Booked Designer (6-week program) : https://aventiveacademy.com/fullybookeddesigner/
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/
Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f
The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
19 min - How to Become a Fully Booked Designer | EP 197
You can be busy and still feel stuck. That is the uncomfortable truth most designers avoid. In this episode, I break down what actually makes a designer fully booked and why so many talented freelance designers stay busy but unstable. We talk about the difference between random demand and predictable demand, why clarity matters more than visibility, and how alignment across your positioning, offer, portfolio, and systems changes everything. If you are a brand and web designer or design business owner who wants calmer growth and consistent clients, this episode will help you see exactly what is missing.
You will learn:
- What being fully booked really means for a freelance designer
- Why doing more marketing does not fix instability
- How positioning and offers create predictable demand
- The role your portfolio plays in booking clients
- What to fix first if you want consistent inquiries
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink what fully booked actually looks like.
Aventive Academy’s Resources:
Fully Booked Designer (6-week program) : https://aventiveacademy.com/fullybookeddesigner/
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/
Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f
The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
21 min - How to Fix a Design Portfolio That Isn’t Converting | EP 196
Your portfolio can be beautiful and still fail to convert. I see this all the time with talented designers who are doing great work but attracting the wrong clients or no clients at all. In this episode, I walk through why most design portfolios do not work, what clients are actually looking for when they review your work, and how to restructure your portfolio so it supports your pricing, your offer, and your role as the expert. This is about turning your portfolio into a real part of your sales process as a freelance designer and design business owner.
You will learn:
- Why good design alone does not convince clients to hire you
- What business owners actually look for in a design portfolio
- How to use case studies instead of galleries to build trust
- What to remove from your portfolio if it is attracting the wrong clients
- How to align your portfolio with your pricing design services
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink how to get graphic design clients through a portfolio that actually converts.
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
17 min - The $10k Signature Offer That Changes Everything for Brand Designers | 195
Being busy is not the same thing as building a sustainable design business. I learned that the hard way. In this episode, I walk you through why offering everything keeps you stuck, how one $10k signature offer can simplify your business, and why brand strategy is the key to staying relevant as a brand and web designer in a world full of templates and AI tools. This is the exact shift that helped me stop chasing random projects and start building a business that feels intentional, confident, and scalable as a design business owner and creative CEO.
You will learn:
- Why clients trust designers with one clear offer more than endless options
- How brand strategy positions you above execution and AI tools
- What actually makes a $10k offer feel justified to clients
- Why simplifying your services leads to better clients and easier sales
- How to stop being treated like a freelancer and start leading like a creative CEO
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink how to get graphic design clients without offering everything to everyone.
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
26 min - My Top 3 Lead-Generating Activities for Designers (That Actually Work) | EP 194
Most designers think they need more visibility to get clients, but visibility without clarity does nothing. I am breaking down the top three lead generating activities that have consistently brought me high quality clients as a brand and web designer, without chasing trends or burning out. These are the systems I still rely on today as a design business owner and creative CEO, and they work whether you are a freelance designer or running a small studio.
You will learn:
- How to get graphic design clients using social media without posting nonstop
- How to use LinkedIn to build real connections and referral partners instead of selling
- What to post so clients understand your value beyond visuals
- Why networking works when you stop trying to close and start building trust
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink how you approach lead generation in your design business.
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
27 min - My 2026 Design Business Predictions (and How to Prepare) | EP 193
2026 is going to separate designers who lead from designers who get replaced. I am seeing clear shifts in how clients hire, what they value, and what they are willing to pay for. AI is changing the industry fast, but not in the way most designers think. In this episode, I am sharing my real predictions for 2026 based on what I see inside my own agency and from working closely with designers who want to grow as creative CEOs. This conversation is for every freelance designer, brand and web designer, and design business owner who wants to attract better clients, price with confidence, and build a business that lasts.
You will learn:
- Why AI will replace low level execution but not strategic designers
- How to position yourself so clients see you as an expert, not a task taker
- What clients actually look for when hiring in 2026
- How simplicity in offers and systems leads to higher income
- Why strategy is the skill clients pay for and how to start using it
Grab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink how you approach how to get graphic design clients, pricing design services, and stepping fully into the creative CEO role.
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
17 min
About Off By 2 : Brand Strategy & Business Growth for Founders Who Want More Freedom
From the publisher's feed
Off By 2 is a business podcast for ambitious founders who want to grow and build a brand people know, but feel overwhelmed by their to-do list, unsure what to focus on, or tired of their business taking up more of their life than they want.
Each episode helps you:
- make more money
- build a strong brand
- make better business decisions
- simplify your business
- get your time back
Expect conversations about business strategy, entrepreneurship, branding, AI, productivity, mindset, and growing a business without the hustle culture.
Hosted by entrepreneur and branding agency owner Kady Sandel
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