In this episode of The Designated Designer, I’m joined by the one and only Rick Franzo, Growth Coach of the Poconos. Join us for a powerful conversation about what it really means to get unstuck, both in business and in life.

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Rick shares his deeply personal journey from surviving multiple brain tumors to guiding entrepreneurs through their own seasons of overwhelm, isolation, and uncertainty. We explore why mindset is often the real bottleneck, and how coachability, community, and honest self-awareness can completely shift the trajectory of your business.

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This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen alone. The right guide, the right people, and the willingness to face reality can move you forward faster than sheer hustle ever could. So, if you’re feeling stuck, stretched thin, or unsure of your next step, this conversation offers the necessary clarity and encouragement for a grounded path forward.

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Connect with Rick Franzo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-franzo-52948b26/
• Website: https://www.thegrowthcoach.com/poconos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gcpoconos/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rickfranzo3549

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I’m joined by Jesse Heebner of Heeby’s Surplus and American Door Products for a conversation that goes way beyond brochures and branding!

We dig into what it really means to design with intention; where it becomes directional instead of just decorative. Jesse shares what it’s like growing a family business, navigating expansion, managing people, and making strategic decisions in an industry that doesn’t always get the spotlight.

We talk about understanding your customer’s journey, why consistency matters more than constant change, and how design, cleanliness, and organization quietly shape trust long before a sale is ever made.

If you’ve ever wondered how design fits into real-world business growth, this episode is a grounded, honest look at what happens when strategy leads and design follows with purpose.

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I sat down with mortgage & lending expert Jim Gillespie to traverse a topic most creatives would rather sidestep: money, mortgages, and the financial systems that quietly shape our lives.

Jim breaks down the evolution of the mortgage industry, from the predatory lending that led to the 2008 crash, to the guardrails created by the Dodd-Frank Act. He explains how today’s lending standards actually work in plain English.

Together, we explore why so many creatives feel unprepared when it comes to home buying, what credit scores really measure, and how self-employed entrepreneurs can position themselves for approval.

Whether you're dreaming of buying a home, repairing your credit, or simply trying to build a healthier financial foundation, this episode gives you clear steps, grounded wisdom, and a much-needed crash course in financial literacy for the creative mind.

Perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and anyone who wants their money self to finally catch up with their creative self!!

What does it really take to build a brand that commands attention and earns trust, right from day one?

In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Scott, owner of Roofing Army, to unpack how powerful design and clear messaging can completely reshape how a business shows up in the world.

We talk about the early days of building his brand from the ground up, the importance of collaboration in the creative process, and how staying patient (even when it’s tough) pays off in the long run. Aaron shares how branding gave his business confidence, clarity, and momentum—and how that foundation continues to fuel Roofing Army’s growth today.

If you’ve ever wondered how to take your business from blending in to standing tall, this one’s for you! 🪖🐜

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I’m joined by the lovely Vickie Moore from Design Some Moore! She's a fellow creative spirit navigating the wild world of freelancing, design education, and community building!

We talk about the messy middle of figuring it all out — from leaving the 9–5 to embracing self-discovery, learning the business side of design, and finding your creative rhythm along the way. Vickie opens up about how hosting co-working calls positively impacted her career, what design school didn’t teach, and why meaning matters more than just making things pretty.

If you’ve ever felt alone on your design journey or unsure of your next creative step, this one’s a reminder that we’re all figuring it out together! One project, one client, and one breakthrough at a time 💖✨

This week, I sat down with Gareth; a seasoned UK-based designer whose story is as much about resilience as it is about design. From the early days of chasing creative work, to backpacking across Australia, to facing the ripple effects of Brexit and COVID in his business, Gareth’s path has been anything but straightforward.

We talk about why networking is non-negotiable, how rebranding his business to Graphic Studio simplified everything, and why trusting your gut is one of the most underrated tools in business. Gareth also opens up about mental health, pacing yourself to avoid burnout, and why growth often comes from stepping way outside your comfort zone.

If you’ve ever felt like your creative journey is full of detours, setbacks, and second guesses — this conversation is proof that those twists and turns might just be leading you somewhere better. ✨

Remember that episode I did where I tried to tackle finances as a creative? Well, after posting it I felt like I didn’t fully answer my listener’s question the way I wanted to. Why? Because I’m not a financial professional (shocking, I know 😅). So I decided to fix that.

In this episode, I brought in financial expert Mike Braun to really dig into the money side of being a solopreneur. We talk QuickBooks vs. FreshBooks, invoicing, payment terms, how to avoid check headaches, banking choices, payroll, taxes, and all the unglamorous but totally necessary stuff that makes running your creative business actually sustainable.

If you’ve ever felt like money management is the missing puzzle piece in your business, this one’s for you. Think of it as the follow-up episode you didn’t know you needed—but your bank account will thank you for.

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I sit down with my client-turned-guest, Dan Ehlman.

Dan has a fascinating story—he started out in graphic design before moving into the junk removal industry, and along the way, he’s picked up some big lessons about business, branding, and collaboration.

We talk about what it’s really like to work together as designer and client, why revisions aren’t failures but stepping stones, and how trust shapes the entire creative process.

Dan also opens up about networking, keeping momentum through slow seasons, and the power of branding to make a business truly visible. This one’s part design talk, part business wisdom, and part behind-the-scenes peek into what collaboration can look like when it’s rooted in curiosity and confidence.

What’s it really like to run a business before you’ve even tossed your graduation cap?

In this episode, I sit down with Thomas (a web designer, entrepreneur, and yes, high school student) to talk about the ups, downs, and unexpected lessons of starting young. We get into everything from pricing with confidence (no matter your age) to navigating teen hustle culture, finding balance, and building a supportive community that actually gets you.

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting to dream up your first side hustle, Thomas’s story is proof that it’s never too early, or too late, to go after what you love!

If the money side of business has ever made you wanna scream into the void—welcome, friend. 👋🏻

In this episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on how I’ve been managing (and learning through) the financial side of entrepreneurship. From my love-hate relationship with QuickBooks to finally finding a bank that works with me (not against me), I’m sharing the systems, hiccups, and real-deal strategies that have helped me keep things afloat. No fluff, no shame—just the kind of honest convo I wish someone had with me when I started.