Dear listener:

This one’s a little more raw, a little less polished, and just a real check-in from me to you. It’s been a whirlwind lately: the business picked up in ways I never expected, I took on some big, exciting projects (including Stankin’ Good’s first full service, local, commercial vehicle wrap!), and… I kind of burned myself out in the process.

In this solo episode, I’m catching you up on everything that’s been going on from the good, the bad, and the in-between. From finding flow in my systems to fumbling through creative burnout, I’m sharing it all. Because growth doesn’t always look like perfectly planned launches or shiny social media wins. Sometimes, it looks like dragging yourself to the mic when you’d rather hide, and fighting to find your spark again in the process.

Thanks for being here. It means more than you know. 🫶🏻

Big love always,

Jenn

My first ever guest episode is here!! And it’s a Stankin' Good one.
I brought on my high school bestie turned fellow business owner, Shelby Berger, to unpack the beautifully chaotic mess that is Year One of running your own thing. From the highest highs to the “wait what the hell are we doing?” moments, we’re spilling it all.

We also dive deep into what it was like to brand her business together—what worked, what didn’t, and why knowing yourself and your business is crucial before hiring a designer (ask us how we know 👀).

If you’re in your first year, headed into it, or just love a good behind-the-scenes convo on creativity, chaos, and clarity, this one is for you. 💫

Ever wonder what your first real vacation feels like when you’re your own boss? In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of a totally unfiltered weekend away, burning rubber at a car event, and trying not to panic about the emails piling up.

This wasn’t just a trip, it was a huge lesson in trust, rest, self-care, and letting go. I talk through the fears I had before taking time off, how I set boundaries with clients, and how the time away gave me a whole new perspective on business, creativity, and what really fuels the work I do.

Oh, and somewhere in between the campfires and port-a-potties, I got the sweetest message from a designer across the country that reminded me why I show up every week, even when I feel awkward or anxious about it all.

If you’re a creative entrepreneur wondering how the heck you’re supposed to take a break without the world falling apart—this one’s for you. 💫

This week’s episode didn’t go as planned—because growth rarely does.
After accidentally filming an entire 30-minute podcast with no audio, I almost didn’t come back to re-record. But then I remembered: progress isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence. So here we are, messy, unscripted, and real.

In this episode, I share an unexpected lesson in resilience through my attempt to save a dying braided money tree and how that journey mirrored the ups and downs of running my business. From failed propagation attempts to unseen forces (and nearly quitting everything), this story is about trusting the process, even when it’s ugly. Especially when it’s ugly.

So if you're in a season where nothing seems to be working, this one's for you. Because sometimes the roots grow in the dark, and the breakthrough comes right after you almost give up.

Link to reel mentioned in this episode: Credit to Chris Do

Season 2 of The Designated Designer kicks off with a heart-to-heart.

In this vulnerable episode, I'm reflecting on my first full year running in business, celebrating the gritty wins, unpacking the missteps, and embracing the weird, wonderful transformation that comes when you fully commit to your path.

This isn’t just a recap; it’s a reset. From navigating burnout and redefining success to learning how to lead with intention, here's the moments that cracked me open and helped me evolve—not just as a designer, but as a human. If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to grow a creative business from the ground up (spoiler: it’s not always cute), this episode is for you.

Whether you're a fellow designer, an entrepreneur in the thick of it, or a curious soul craving real talk—this journey’s for you.

In this week's episode, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing some real, raw reflections on what it actually feels like to grow a business—and yourself—at the same time. 🚀 I’m talking about finally writing a real intro (only took me forever), the messy beauty of starting before you’re ready, and the wild identity shifts that come with chasing your dreams.

I’m diving into why it’s normal to feel like you’re outgrowing old environments, questioning long-held beliefs, and sometimes wondering where the heck you even fit anymore. This one’s for the creative misfits, the late bloomers, and anyone holding on through the hard parts.

Spoiler alert: you are getting better at this—and your breakthrough might be closer than you think. ✨

Tune in, buckle up, and let’s grow through it together.

Feeling stuck in neutral?

Overwhelmed? Burnt out? Ready to throw your laptop out the window even though you JUST finished paying it off? Same. In this unscripted, from-the-heart episode, I share my latest creative high, the inevitable social media spiral that immediately followed, and the simple ritual that’s helping me find balance amidst all the chaos. From overwhelming passion projects and business stress to blue jays and perspective shifts—this one’s a heckin' journey. So buckle up, and let’s talk about it.

In this episode of The Designated Designer, we get real about rejection. We’ve been there, done that, and learned that sometimes a "no" is the universe telling us to forge our own freakin' path. After getting a polite rejection from a widely popular design podcast, we drop some truth bombs about how even the design world can be subject to a popularity contest—one where only the "cool kids" get a seat at the table. Spoiler alert: it's all BS.

In this episode, we're also calling out the industry for putting more weight on likes and views than real creative value. We say it loud and clear: stop designing for the algorithm and start designing for what actually matters. It’s time to create for us, for our clients, and for what feels true—not for the endless scroll or empty engagement.

If you're tired of playing the neverending game on social media, this episode is here to help you stop chasing validation and start creating work that lights a fire inside you.

Rejection isn’t the end—it’s just the universe redirecting us to something better. Let’s get real, stay creative, and stop letting algorithms control our creativity.

Ever feel like leaving something half-done is the worst thing you could possibly do? Like, the thought of walking away from an unfinished task makes your skin crawl? Yeah, same. But one of the most unexpected lessons I’ve learned as a business owner is that sometimes, pressing pause is the smartest move you can make.

In this episode, we’re diving into the art of strategic stopping—learning to embrace unfinished work without guilt and understanding why forcing yourself to power through everything isn’t always the key to success. I’ll break down why taking breaks actually keeps you moving forward, plus a metaphor about road trips and gas stations that might just change the way you see productivity forever.

Because real talk—success isn’t about doing everything all at once. It’s about making sure you don’t run out of fuel before you reach the finish line. 🚗💨✨

Choosing to be different is never the easy road—but damn, isn’t it the most rewarding? In this episode, I’m diving deep into what it really means to take the unconventional path, whether it’s in business, in life, or in standing firm on who you are—even when the world makes it easier not to.

Inspired by Chappell Roan’s journey (and how her story hit me like a ton of bricks), we’re talking about the grind, the failures, the getting-back-up-again moments that no one shows on social media. Because let’s be real—being a business owner is an endurance test, not a highlight reel. And while the world hands out comfort in predictability (hello, 9-5 life), we chose something different. We chose uncertainty. We chose the uphill battle. And that’s something not everyone can say they had the guts to do.

So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in a sea of “successful” designers making it look way too easy. Or if you’re battling imposter syndrome, burnout, or just wondering why this road feels so damn hard sometimes—this episode is for you.

Buckle up, we’re getting real. 🎙✨