Seriously in Business: Brand + Design, Marketing and Business

Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/jacquinaunton_SwitchToXero Terms & Conditions apply.*

Running a business isn’t just about the visible parts… the branding, marketing, and client work.

Behind every growing business is a whole ecosystem of systems, numbers, and processes quietly doing the heavy lifting.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the backend of my business... and I’ve brought in a very special guest to help!

My mum, Sharon Gleeson, who just happens to be an accountant with 40+ years of experience… and now my bookkeeper.

We talk about how my business has evolved from designing in my bedroom to growing 500% in the last four years, what systems we use today, and the financial setup that keeps everything running smoothly.

We cover:

Tools mentioned:

Timestamps

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fA-bx14oFYI

WORK WITH JACQUI:

Work with my design agency: www.whitedeer.com.au/studio

If you’ve ever hired a designer and the experience went sideways… you’ll want to watch this video.

Because while outsourcing design can save you time and elevate your brand, it can also go off the rails very quickly if the process isn’t handled properly.

Today I’m flipping the script a little. Usually I teach you how to DIY your branding and graphics in Canva. But since my design studio currently has a few openings, I thought this was the perfect time to share the biggest mistakes I see business owners make when hiring designers.

These aren’t just “client frustrations”… these are the things that can waste money, delay projects, and leave both sides feeling frustrated.

Whether you hire my studio team or another designer entirely, these tips will help you get the best outcome.

You’ll learn:

If you’re thinking about outsourcing design soon, this will save you a lot of headaches 💜

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V_kVsAUa2KA

WORK WITH JACQUI:

Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/jacquinaunton_5Systems

If you’ve ever felt like your business doesn’t feel “legit” yet… this video will change that. I’m sharing 5 systems that make you look professional AND feel organised (even before you hit 100k).

Looking professional isn’t just about having a beautiful logo or a polished Instagram feed.

It’s about what’s happening behind the scenes of your business.

If your business feels chaotic, slow-growing, or stuck in hobby mode… chances are you’re missing one (or more) of these systems.

I cover:

Timestamps

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QEdm45CIg4I

WORK WITH JACQUI:

You buy the beautiful Canva template. You swap the colours. You change the fonts. You tweak the elements. And somehow… it still looks off. Amateur. Messy. Not quite right.

The Canva templates aren’t the problem, it’s because you haven’t been trained in design principles.

I’m unpacking why Canva hacks and templates feel like the solution (because we LOVE ease and efficiency)… but why they fall flat if you don’t understand the rules behind them. And in 2026, when attention spans are shorter than ever and trust is built in milliseconds, this matters more than ever.

I cover:

Timestamps

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/isuH2befw24

WORK WITH JACQUI:

If you’ve ever looked at LinkedIn and thought, “Nope, not for me…”, I brought on marketing and LinkedIn queen, Hailey Rowe, to chat about how she’s booking 2–4 quality calls a week without daily posting, premium plans, or spending hours on content.

We break down the exact steps to start using LinkedIn as a low-lift, high-reward platform for connecting with dream clients and collaborators. If Instagram’s burning you out… this is your sign to explore new options.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why LinkedIn is secretly powerful for coaches + service providers
• The two groups of people you should be connecting with
• Hailey’s process for booking calls (and tracking what’s working)
• Profile tips to make you look professional and approachable
• How to make LinkedIn work in 2 hours a week

Timestamps
Intro 0:00
Interview 1:16
Wrap up 30:35

ABOUT HAILEY:
Hailey Rowe is a Marketing & Sales Strategist, Coach, & Linkedin Lead Generation Service Provider. She helps coaches & wellness professionals make more sales, get more time back, and overcome social media overwhelm. She shares her F.A.S.T. framework, marketing, and business tips in her Health Coach Nation Podcast (Top 1% on ListenNotes) & in the free Marketing Hub Facebook Group. She’s been named as one of the Top 25 Coaches in Chicago (Chicago Entrepreneur Magazine) & one of the Top 6 business podcasts for health coaches (Primal Health Coach Institute). Since 2010, Hailey has worked in the coaching world & in business development/marketing for startups. Hailey’s philosophy: You can have an amazing service and impact to make, but without a strong mindset, and sales and marketing plan, your business will remain a hobby.

CONNECT WITH HAILEY:
Free Class: Attract More Clients & Profitable Partnerships Using LinkedIn: https://haileyrowe.com/linkedin
Free Business Growth & Networking Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themarketinghubgroup
Website: https://www.haileyrowe.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailey_rowe
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/health-coach-nation
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haileyr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/haileyrowe
Book your free client attraction consult: https://calendly.com/haileyrowe-coach/30min

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cO_g9a3gPGU
Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep253/

WORK WITH JACQUI:
// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb
// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub
// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Whether you’re a few months into business or well established, having brand photos makes your design work 100x easier and builds massive trust with your audience.

Here’s what I cover:

• Why brand photo shoots matter more than you think
• DIY vs Pro: which route is right for your stage of biz
• How I chose my photographer (and why I travelled!)
• Outfit planning tips and why brand colours matter
• The posing cheat sheet I created for my shoot

Spotify Photoshoot Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1UjWSHNzEVFxcwVrJe1PbA?si=fe0dc23808bf40b4

Timestamps
Intro 0:00
About photoshoots 0:51
First steps 4:20
Style of photos 10:45
Photoshoot prep 12:29
Props 18:20
Shots you need 20:20
Food for thought 26:07

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8FIHxQwj6MA
Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep252/

WORK WITH JACQUI:
// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb
// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub
// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k 👉 https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass

One of the biggest questions new business owners face is this:

Should I outsource my design or learn to do it myself?

I unpack how design has changed dramatically over the last 15 years (spoiler: you now need way more graphics than you used to) and how that impacts your decision to outsource or DIY. I also share the real costs of both paths, not just financially, but in momentum and autonomy... and introduce my signature framework that helps you strike the perfect balance between doing it yourself and hiring a pro.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, this will help you feel clear, confident and in control of your brand.

What you'll learn:

• Why design is no longer just a logo and a flyer
• The hidden costs of outsourcing your graphics
• Why DIYing without strategy can hurt your brand
• The 3-part Design Autonomy System and how to apply it
• The one design decision that saves my students thousands

Timestamps
Intro 0:00
Options You Have 2:51
Layer 1 5:31
Layer 2 11:41
Layer 3 14:25
Wrapping up 17:00
PSA 19:58
Bonus tip 20:40

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hOYho_NLPM4
Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep251/

WORK WITH JACQUI:
// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb
// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub
// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

DIY Design my Biz Course 👉 www.whitedeer.com.au/diydmb

AI might be everywhere right now, but it’s not yet the magical designer that spits out perfect branded designs the moment you ask it. However… there are incredibly practical ways to use AI that will save you time, help you create better design outcomes, support your clarity and build confidence as you design.

I share FIVE ways on how I use AI strategically, from getting clarity on your audience, to brainstorming inspiration, to reviewing your final design for improvements.

Whether you’re AI-curious or AI-conflicted, these are ideas you can start using this week.

What You’ll Learn

• How AI can help you get clarity on your target audience before design
• Using AI in the visioning & brainstorming stage
• How to use AI to generate smart prompts for Pinterest & Canva
• Ways to use AI for logo concepting & brand elements
• How to get AI to give feedback on your actual design work

And stay until the end… because I share my favorite AI hack that will change how you design forever.

Timestamps
Intro 0:00
Clarity 1:40
Brainstorming 3:20
Logo 5:48
Elements 7:58
Feedback 8:56
PSA 9:58

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UINOecvmgrA
Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep250/

WORK WITH JACQUI:
// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb
// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub
// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k 👉 https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass

Most business owners think branding rules are optional because they’re DIYing their brand… but your branding rules are one of the biggest drivers of recognisability, trust, and sales in your business. The trick is knowing when those rules are non‑negotiable and when you can be a little fluid with them without hurting your brand integrity.

In this podcast, I’m walking you through exactly what branding rules are, why consistency matters more than you realise, and how to decide whether to follow the rule tightly or bend it a little. Stick around because I’ll share a simple test you can use every time you’re unsure.

Key Takeaways:

• What branding rules actually are, and why they matter even for DIYers
• The 4 core parts of your brand: your logo, colours, fonts and brand elements
• Why inconsistent visuals erode trust, recognition and sales
• When it’s okay to “break” a rule (and how to do it without confusion)
• A simple 2‑step test to decide whether to stick to your brand rules

Timestamps
Intro 0:00
4 main things in your brand 1:20
Stay consistent 3:07
Consistency issues with web & email 5:15
Collaborations 8:55
PSA 9:30
When to break the rules 10:10

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZyIcj9hAXsU
Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep249/

WORK WITH JACQUI:
// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb
// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub
// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k 👉 https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass

90% of business owners tell me the SAME thing... design feels hard, slow and draining. You know you should post. You know you have ideas… but the minute you open Canva, your brain shuts down. Colors. Fonts. Layouts. Decision after decision. And then you don’t post at all.

In this episode, I’m showing you how to make DESIGNING POSTS feel easy again. Not perfect. Not award‑winning. Just clear, consistent and fast. And I’m sharing where design is stealing your time, and how to get it back.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why decision fatigue is killing your design flow
• How to stop STARTING FROM SCRATCH each time
• The power of using templates (even ones you already made)
• How hierarchy and less text make your graphics better
• A simple brand style guide hack to make design faster forever

Timestamps
Intro 0:00
Decision fatigue 1:12
Template advice 3:15
Hierarchy 4:30
Just post it 5:20
PSA 7:30

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DspjBYLQeXA
Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep248/

WORK WITH JACQUI:
// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb
// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub
// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio