The Designated Designer 🔮

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.

In this solo episode, we're diving headfirst into the quiet burnout that so many creatives face behind the scenes and the inner work it takes to begin to recover from it.

From the pressure to perform on social media to the guilt that sneaks in when you rest, we're unpacking all the tough but necessary lessons of reclaiming your time, your peace, and your priorities.

I'll be sharing some honest reflections on what it means to care for your creative self without losing your ambition — and how small acts of self-kindness, from workspace makeovers to offline connection, can help reignite your spark. This episode is a soft reminder that the path to a fulfilling business starts with a balanced, well-supported you.

For the burnt-out creatives, the overthinkers, and anyone learning to treat themselves with the same grace they give their work — this one’s for you. ✨

What if the secret to unforgettable client experiences wasn’t more automation, but more personality?

In this guest episode, I sit down with my fellow creative and alumni from Kutztown University: Xander to unpack the idea of Unreasonable Hospitality and how going just a little further than expected can completely change how clients remember, trust, and refer you. We talk about the power of personal touch, how small moments can leave a big impact, and how systems (like Notion!) can help you create experiences that feel custom without costing your sanity.

We also get into why branding isn’t just about standing out, it’s about creating something that can be felt. This one’s for any designer or creative who wants to lead with more heart, serve with more intention, and never lose the magic that makes our work matter.

You can find Xander:

https://alexspanglerart.wixsite.com/alexander-spangler-d

https://www.instagram.com/xanders_illustrator/

linktr.ee/XanderS_Illustrator

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.