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Summary
In this engaging conversation, Ivy Malik and James Barnard explore the intricacies of building a successful design business, the importance of networking, and the transformative power of social media. James shares his journey from struggling with sales to establishing a team and leveraging social media for client acquisition. They discuss the challenges of public speaking, the impact of imposter syndrome, and the strategies for creating engaging content. The conversation concludes with James's current obsession with designing a deck of cards, highlighting his creative aspirations.
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
About James Barnard:
In this episode:
Website
Liz Mosley gets real about what it takes to grow a design-led business without losing your identity in the noise.
We talk about everything from why she still presents three brand concepts (despite the industry pressure to do just one), how she filters out red-flag clients, and what she’s learned from years of doing things her way.
This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s an honest look at imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and trusting your gut in an algorithm-driven world. We also dive into AI’s limitations, the role of taste in design, and how her heritage shapes the way she works.
– Her full design process, from inquiry to delivery
– Why she refuses to niche by industry
– How she built a podcast with over 170 episodes
– The real role of taste in design (and why AI can’t replicate it)
– What red flags she looks out for in client work
– How culture, boundaries, and burnout shape creative growth
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
About Liz Mosley:
Website
Instagram (Studio): @lizmmosley
LinkedIn: Liz Mosley
In this episode, I’m reflecting on what it’s really like to show up at big creative industry events as an introvert.
Over the past few months, I’ve been to Cannes Lions, South by Southwest London, Adobe Max, and Social Day — and each one left me with a different feeling. Some were electric. Others felt performative, even lonely.
I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes of what these events are really like and a few tips on what you can do that would faciliate connections beyond the event.
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
In this episode, I sit down with Kristy Campbell, founder of Pink Pony Creative, for a real and refreshing conversation about what it’s actually like to grow a creative agency while navigating new motherhood. We talk about imposter syndrome, the fear of losing relevance, and why letting go of perfection was the best thing she did for her business. Kristy shares openly about how she built her team, the pressure of being the face of the brand, and the internal tug-of-war between ambition and presence. We also explore leadership, human design, and how to trust your gut when the stakes feel high. If you’ve ever wondered how to do it all — or whether you even should — this one’s for you.
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
About Kristy:
https://try.folk.app/ir0u8eeqnp09
Website
In this episode of Creative Flight, I sit down with Amit Patel, Creative Director at Experience Haus, to talk about building with care in an age obsessed with speed. We unpack the quiet power of curiosity, the role of taste in creative work, and why real growth comes from staying human—especially when AI can do almost everything else.
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
About Amit Patel:
A passionate advocate for human-centered design and creative problem-solving, Amit has delivered transformative workshops and capability-building programs for organizations such as Spotify, PwC, BNY Mellon, and Hiscox. His unique approach blends practical design strategy with deep empathy—helping people unlock their creative potential and drive meaningful impact in their work and communities.
With a background in entrepreneurship and service design, Amit brings real-world insight, infectious energy, and a powerful message: Design isn’t just a tool—it’s a mindset for change. Whether he’s speaking on stage, leading a workshop, or mentoring the next generation of thinkers and makers, Amit’s mission remains constant: to champion creativity, amplify diverse voices, and help others design a better future.
In this episode of Creative Flight, I sit down with EriFili, the founder and CEO of Zlink—a Gen Z-led marketing agency making serious waves. Eri started her business at 20, landed major clients, and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list by 23. But what struck me most wasn’t the accolades. It was her clarity.
We talked about what it means to actually build something when you’re young, how self-worth fuels the creative process, and why fulfillment beats success metrics. Erifili leads with empathy, prioritises mental health in the workplace, and believes that branding—personal or otherwise—starts from within.
We also went deep on:
This episode is for anyone who’s building with soul and wants proof that you can do things your way, and win.
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
About Erifili:
She’s the author of Design Your Life: Your Career, Your Way (Kogan Page, 2024), a groundbreaking guide for building flexible, fulfilling work in the digital age. She also co-hosts the Espresso Epilogues podcast and writes Crystal Clear, a Substack on self-discovery with over 11,000 subscribers.
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@espresso.epilogues
In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliantly multi-passionate Courtney Evors. You’ll hear us dive into what it really means to lead a layered life from fashion design to powerlifting to coaching. Courtney shares how she’s moved through worlds that don’t always make space for the full range of who we are.
We talk about what human design has helped her understand about her own creative rhythm, and why the pressure to "pick a niche" never really fit. She opens up about navigating imposter syndrome and how she’s learning to anchor herself in self-trust instead of permission.
If you’ve ever felt too much, not enough, or like your path doesn’t fit into a neat little box, this one’s for you. Courtney also shares what’s next for her (hint: it includes a book and a whole new coaching chapter), and what it takes to follow the thread of your own desire when no one else sees the vision yet.
I loved this conversation. I think you will too.
Sound bites Courtney:
“To be interested in different things isn’t so unusual. But to highlight it the way I do, that’s unusual.” — Courtney Evors
She brings real-world experience to help creatives and brands find clarity, structure, and momentum. Now, she works with multi-passionate founders to turn vision into strategy and build creative systems that scale.
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
Courtney links:
Website: https://www.theconsultancyktchn.com/creativektchn
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-evors
This one’s different. I bring you into a thought experiment where I sit down with four cultural giants—David Hume, Pierre Bourdieu, Susan Sontag, and Dave Hickey—in a fictional panel, debating one question: What is taste, and does it still matter in a world of AI?
It started on a train ride with my husband. A discussion about AI turned into a deep dive into aesthetics, class, judgement, and the soul of creativity. What unfolded is part role-play, part philosophical roundtable, and very much a love letter to the part of us that still knows how to choose.
We explore:
If you’re a creator, designer, thinker, or just someone who wants to believe that beauty still matters…this episode is for you
SOUNDBITES:
“In a world generating so much, where everything is starting to look good, taste is what will make the difference.” Ivy
“Safe taste is decoration. Real taste is vulnerable.”
“A designer with taste does not just know what looks good, they know what is appropriate, what is resonant, what is timely.” fictional David Hume
“The problem isn’t that AI is replacing designers. The problem is that the market has reduced design to deliverables.” fictional Bourdieiu
“Taste is the last place where instinct and identity meet.” fictional David Hickey
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
In this open deep dive with Brock Johnson we explored what it really means to grow up, and grow a business, online. We talked about what it's like navigating social media as a young person and how that intersects with the challenges of parenting in a digital world. Brock opened up about starting his entrepreneurial journey early, the mindset shifts he's had to make around money, and the hard lessons he’s learned about public perception and personal growth.
We also dove into his evolution as a coach, how he leads his team, and he outsources. His approach to content creation is intentional, yet flexible, and he shared real insights about managing expectations in a world that’s always watching. Tune in and let me know what you think.
Takeaways:
takeaways
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
In this episode, I share how I gained my first 10,000 followers on Instagram, and what actually made it stick. I talk about my first “viral” moment, what I learned from Chris Do about creating content that matters, and why visibility alone isn’t enough. The real growth came from building trust, showing up consistently, and creating value people could feel. Virality might get their attention, but it’s consistency that keeps it.
Takeaways:
About Ivy:
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoyed the flight.
Website: https://ivymalik.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivymalikofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivymalik/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ivymalikofficial
You can also tag the show and share your thoughts, I always love hearing what resonated with you.
From the publisher's feed