150. Why You Slow Down Right Before a Breakthrough

FREE GUIDE: The 5 Strategic Gaps Keeping Designers Stuck Under $200k → ⁠https://thestudioco.co/5-strategic-gaps⁠On mile 25 of a marathon, I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks: everyone around me was walking, not in the painful middle when the miles felt endless, but at the very end when the finish line was finally in sight. It made me realize this is exactly what so many of us do in life, business, habits, and motherhood: we don’t quit at the beginning, we quit at almost. In this episode, I break down the psychology behind why our brains slow us down when we’re closest to a breakthrough, why this is especially true for women and moms carrying an invisible mental load, and how high performers use simple rituals and identity shifts to push through the resistance of the “last mile.” This isn’t about hustling harder—it’s about understanding what’s happening in your brain and becoming the woman who finishes stronger than she starts. If you’ve ever felt yourself stall right before something big, this one is for you.https://thestudioco.co/@byoliviaaustin // @thestudioco.co

FREE GUIDE: The 5 Strategic Gaps Keeping Designers Stuck Under $200k → ⁠https://thestudioco.co/5-strategic-gaps⁠What does it really take to scale into $300K–$500K years? In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes conversations we’re having with designers who are stepping into $40K+ projects, leading teams, and operating as true CEOs of their studios. Because at this level, growth isn’t about more leads — it’s about capacity, boundaries, leadership, and learning how to hold more responsibility and revenue without burning out.If you’re booked, talented, and ready for your next level, this episode is for you.LINKS:⁠The Studio Retreat (March 2-6, 2026)⁠⁠The Studio Mastermind (April 2026)⁠⁠Studio Growth Accelerator Waitlist⁠

https://thestudioco.co/5-strategic-gaps // Download our free guide called “Why High-Paying Clients Aren’t Choosing You... Yet” where we break down the 5 strategic gaps keeping talented Brand & Web Designers stuck under $200k. https://thestudioco.co/5-strategic-gapsIf you’ve ever thought, “I know I’m good at what I do… so why isn’t the money matching yet?” this episode is for you.Today I’m sitting down with Kenzi Green, founder of Kenzi Green Design and co-founder of The Brief Collective, where she helps designers book $10K clients and finally ditch the starving artist mentality for good.What makes Kenzi’s story so powerful is that she didn’t grow by building a massive team or working nonstop. At one point, she was hitting $30K months completely solo — with no employees, no agency chaos, and a business model that actually supported her life.In this conversation, we’re getting real about what actually drives income as a designer, including:Why having more followers does not automatically mean you’ll make more moneyHow to structure offers that support consistent, high-value bookingsThe positioning shifts that help you attract better-fit clientsAnd the mindset transition from being a talented creative to stepping fully into the CEO roleIf you’re ready to stop chasing visibility and start building a studio that pays you well, supports your lifestyle, and lets you grow without burnout, you are going to love this episode.

Take our FREE Studio Growth Audit to find out where your growth is stalling and what your next step is to scale your studio in 2026.https://thestudioco.myflodesk.com/the-studio-growth-auditWe’re shifting the conversation from vanity metrics to the numbers that quietly determine whether your studio is built for sustainable growth, real profitability, and a life that actually feels spacious.Because in 2026, scaling isn’t about doing more. It’s about tracking what truly drives momentum.I’m breaking down the exact financial, capacity, and sales metrics I track in my own studio, and the same ones we teach inside Studio Growth Accelerator and our high-level mastermind. These are the indicators that separate “booked and busy” from strategically built and consistently profitable.You’ll learn:The financial numbers that reveal whether your studio is truly scalableThe capacity metrics that protect your time and prevent burnoutThe sales indicators that show where growth is actually breaking downThe hidden performance metric that most studio owners ignore, but high performers prioritizeIf you’re ready to stop guessing, start leading your business like a CEO, and build a studio that supports both your income and your life, this episode is your next step.And if you want help identifying which metric is currently limiting your growth, be sure to grab our free Studio Growth Audit it’ll show you exactly where to focus next so you can scale with intention in 2026.Links:https://thestudioco.co/https://thestudioco.co/resourcesThe Studio Growth Audit

If your studio didn’t grow the way you hoped last year, it’s probably not because you aren’t talented enough, trying hard enough, or doing enough.In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reason so many designers feel stuck even when they’re busy, booked, and doing “all the right things.” Because in most cases, growth doesn’t stall because of marketing or leads it stalls because something underneath the surface is no longer aligned with the level you’re trying to reach.I’m sharing a personal story from my own business when everything looked good on paper, but internally felt way harder than it should… and the realization that changed how I built my studio from that point forward.More importantly, I’ll show you how to identify your primary bottleneck — and how to turn that constraint into your growth strategy for 2026, instead of fighting against it with more effort, more ideas, and more overwhelm.This episode is about designing a year that feels focused, sustainable, and aligned… where growth comes from smarter structure, clearer decisions, and becoming the version of you your next level requires.If you’ve felt like you’re capable of more, but something keeps slowing your momentum, this conversation is for you.Links:https://thestudioco.co/https://thestudioco.co/resourcesAligned offer suite workbookThe Studio Growth Audit

Behind the Design is officially back and this is not the same podcast you’ve known since 2019. In this relaunch episode, I’m sharing the story of how this show began, how it evolved alongside my design studio and mentoring work, and why I knew it was time for something bigger. Because while I’ll always love talking business, I’m no longer just a designer and entrepreneur, I’m a mom of two, a mentor and someone deeply invested in high-performance, wellness, and designing a life I’m genuinely obsessed with.This next chapter of Behind the Design is for the ambitious woman who wants it all, the business, the energy, the presence, the freedom, and the confidence to build success without burning out or playing small.This isn’t a new podcast, it’s the next chapter and if you’re craving growth that feels aligned, sustainable, and expansive, you’re in exactly the right place.

Save your seat!! Free Live Training, The High-Paying Client Method https://designedto-scale.com/the-high-paying-client-methodIn this episode of 'Behind the Design,' we're breaking past barriers holding that could be holding you back from reaching six-figures as a brand and website designer. I'm drawing from my personal journey and mentorship of other designers to highlight three critical areas: positioning and marketing, pricing and offerings, and systems and processes.The main goal of this episode is to help you decipher your ONE key area that is holding you back from reaching 6 figures, with action steps you can take today to reach your goal. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged victoriously.

Save your seat! https://designedto-scale.com/the-high-paying-client-methodIf you’ve been hustling for inconsistent projects, saying yes to every revision request, and still feel like you’re drowning just to hit your income goals… this is your wake-up call.What if you could run a $100k+ design studio that books premium clients consistently  without working nights and weekends, overdelivering, or questioning your rates?Inside my free live training, The High-Paying Client Method: How to Book Premium Brand and Website Projects, I’m giving you the real strategy behind a high-end studio — the same method that not only took me from $3k projects to $15k+ projects and consistent $100k+ years, but has helps countless of other designers do the same. If you’re ready to stop blending in, stand out among other designers, and finally run a studio that is highly profitable - this is where it starts.Join me live on July 22 or 23. It’s free, but spots are limited so grab yours now at the link in the show notes or go to designedto-scale.com.We get to hang out live, dig into your biggest questions in real time, and spend an hour focused on you and your business — not just your clients. This is your time to get clear, get confident, and start building the design studio you actually want. I can’t wait to see you there! Save your seat! https://designedto-scale.com/the-high-paying-client-method

*Free Workbook: The Aligned Offer Suite Builder: https://designedto-scale.com/aligned-offer-suite-workbookIn this episode, I’m breaking down the invisible force that determines whether you attract high-paying, respectful clients—or stay stuck on the client hamster wheel: your energy. We’ll unpack the red flags of “freelancer mode” (even at premium pricing), what true CEO energy looks like for creative entrepreneurs, and how to start embodying it immediately—even if it feels uncomfortable at first.https://designedto-scale.com/

FREE WORKBOOK! The Aligned Offer Suite Builder - get it herehttps://designedto-scale.com/aligned-offer-suite-workbookIf you’ve ever felt burnt out, overwhelmed by custom quotes, or ghosted by your dream clients—this episode is your wake-up call. I’m breaking down the one simple, powerful shift that doubled my design studio’s revenue without taking on more clients. Inside, I share how streamlining your offer suite isn’t just about simplicity—it’s about positioning yourself as the expert, attracting aligned, high-paying clients, and finally getting off the feast-or-famine hamster wheel. Plus, I walk you through how to start building your own strategic offer suite today with a free workbook to guide the process. This is the clarity you’ve been craving.https://designedto-scale.com/https://www.instagram.com/designedto_scale/