60. Building a Team

So much out there on getting more clients, but once you reach a certain stage in business getting to consistent $10/$15k months, it's about client retention and this is where I think a lot of designers are leaving money on the table. If you want to increase your revenue without constantly onboarding new clients, this episode is going to have a lot of really good takeaways for you. Timestamps: 00:00 Importance of client retention through retainers. 05:58 Implementing passive income, allowing clients to return. 08:15 Build client relationships, prioritize systems and processes. 10:43 Listen to client needs, create easy offer. 14:28 Templates streamline business for efficient, profitable success. 21:37 Listen to clients, offer premium services, educate. 25:20 Delegate design work, hire graphic designer eventually. 28:50 Build passive income with multiple client projects.

Join Linzay and I as we unpack the real deal about maternity leave for creative entrepreneurs. Our guest is sharing everything from tweaks to your business model that can keep the cash flowing, to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum. Linzay Davis is a Parental Leave Expert helping parents navigate parental leave in the US through her business, The Park Consulting. Timestamps: 00:00 Writer had bad parental leave experience. HR background. 05:34 FMLA standard of 12 weeks is arbitrary. 07:45 Prepare for change, seek help for postpartum. 11:45 Options for paid leave for entrepreneurs explained. 15:16 Therapists creating passive income during time off. 19:03 Redefine your purpose and embrace freedom. 22:28 Struggle of balancing work and childcare. Overwhelming. 24:35 Focusing on engaging fully in work and family. 28:03 Plan ahead, be open to unexpected changes. 32:18 Making fun of mom's busy schedule. 34:10 Prepare early for time off, involve spouses. 38:14 US laws for entrepreneurs and pregnant workers. 39:57 Employer obligations for breastfeeding moms, legal advice. 43:22 Entrepreneurial flexibility empowers work-life balance.

In this episode of "Behind the Design Podcast", hosted by Olivia Austin, we get an inspiring glimpse into the colorful world of Nicole Goldfarb, the creative CEO of Nixie, and her journey into the business of joy-infusing design. Nicole Goldfarb is a color-loving creative whose eye-catching illustrations radiate a playful energy that is synonymous with joy. With a signature blend of lively hues, bold shapes and funky typography, her mission is to inspire a life full of fun by making the most out of every day. Nicole believes life is so much more fun when you lean into the things that make you truly happy, so she created Nixie, a brand toting a colorful curation of art and lifestyle goods. Color is her love language, summer is her muse, design is her passion, and the beach is her happy place. Nicole is currently catching rays and making waves in Venice, CA. Timestamps: 00:00 Olivia Austin, brand designer, strategist, business coach. 04:10 Worked in freelance creative agency, then started selling art. 06:40 Struggling between job and passion leads breakthrough. 12:24 Preparing to move, given different feedback related. 15:27 Launching collection with colorful and cute items. 18:58 Finding joy in small, creative moments daily. 21:20 Finding inspiration in world, city, nature. 23:06 Create, sketch, and let ideas simmer. 27:22 Adapting and taking breaks to enhance productivity. 31:19 Be open to different creative opportunities. 35:42 Excited about expanding party accessories with Nixie. 38:07 Podcast host offering guidance and resources. Follow!

In this episode, Olivia Austin shares expert insights on preventing website project stalls with effective communication, system implementation, and client guidance in brand and web design. Tune in for actionable strategies and tips on setting boundaries, maintaining project momentum, and ensuring profitable, timely delivery. 00:00 Encouraging audience engagement, seeking input on topics. 04:51 Integrating copywriting into the design process. 09:07 Copywriter involvement varies based on client preference. 10:20 Align deadline for brand identity and website. 14:52 Experts lead, guide, and communicate in projects. 18:45 Offering multiple options for feedback in detail. 22:33 Clear communication about finalizing website content stages. 24:06 Client feedback shapes website design, limited revisions. 28:50 Implementing fees for ghosting clients ensures profitability. 30:24 Recommend fee range, contract terms, and communication tips. 33:44 Client investment affects commitment, discussed on podcast.

Angela is the Founder and Creative Heart behind Saffron Avenue, a graphic design studio for ambitious brands and a template shop for entrepreneurs and artists. With a love of designing with intention and connection, I focus on infusing strategy, sophistication, and hand-crafted details into each brand, website, and product. Her mission has been to help creative business owners gain clarity and confidence with their brand and website, allowing them to effortlessly evolve with growth. Today we chat about her evolution of Saffron Avenue and everything she's learned along the way from simplifying her services, honing in on her niche, what her schedule is like as a new mom and business owner and where she finds creativity to do multiple launch collections/year. If you're a creative at heart, you're going to love this episode! Timestamps: 00:00 Feeling determined to start creative business early. 04:38 Ignorance turned to success through hard work. 07:08 Learned design skills through self-teaching and perseverance. 11:09 Passionate about branding and unique websites. 14:24 Love playing with color, creating seasonal palettes. 18:56 Personalized branding creates excitement and customer engagement. 19:36 Workbook helps brand alignment, Pinterest board review. 25:28 Semi-customs provide clarity and save time. 28:53 Entrepreneurship: follow intuition, find joy, attract success. 30:52 Mindset change, fear replaced by joy. 35:36 Women leading, setting positive examples for kids. 36:31 Changing mind, aging, career impact on family. 39:33 Scheduled work, ongoing projects, and flexibility. 43:13 Shifting focus to branding education, website templates.

In this episode of Behind the Design, host Olivia Austin shares a step-by-step strategy for reflecting on the past quarter and creating a customized plan for the next quarter. Discover the #1 important, reflection exercise and identify the actionable steps to define your goals, refine your strategies, and achieve success in Quarter 2. Timestamps: 00:00 Entrepreneurs need strategic reflection to grow 03:38 Review, reflect, and refine for business growth 09:06 Reflect on achievements and set clear goals 10:16 Setting and maintaining habits for productivity and wellness 14:58 Focus on one goal and specific tasks 17:12 Reflect on goals, ramp up podcast, refine tasks 22:11 Reflect on the episode and share goals 23:00 Encouraging feedback and strategy for business growth

Join our guest, Kay from KAC Marketing, on the Behind the Design podcast as we dive into secrets on scaling agencies, leveraging AI for efficiency, and mastering email marketing and ad management strategies for small businesses. Plus, you'll hear expert advice on balancing work-life and harnessing the power of organic content and paid ads to grow your client base. Don't miss these valuable insights - perfect for agency owners and marketing professionals looking to thrive! Kay is a marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience helping businesses take a data-driven approach to increasing revenue. She is a former VP of Marketing & Analytics and is now the founder of the KAC Marketing Agency where she helps 7-figure brands scale through ads and email marketing. Timestamps: 00:00 Launched email marketing agency, grew through referrals. 06:09 Messaging strategy, GBT training, boosts efficiency. 07:38 AI enhances efficiency and profitability in agencies. 10:49 Learning from previous large agency experience helped. 16:19 Delegation is key for successful hiring. 18:47 Consistent content with client results generates leads. 20:34 Strong network connections essential for business success. 25:48 Starting from scratch, testing messaging and imagery. 29:31 Agencies are expensive; consider freelance options. 33:24 Disagreements with art director over design choices. 35:48 Instagram content should have specific calls-to-action. 37:49 Lower costs with in-app ads, better conversion. 42:45 Prioritizing balance after experiencing burnout, flexible schedule. 44:31 Embrace flexibility in work for success.

It's no secret I am obsessed with ClickUp, so in today's episode I'm sharing the reasons why I switched to ClickUp, an inside look of how we use it with clients and our internal processes and how I've been able to ditch all other platforms to streamline to just ONE. ClickUp revolutionized the workflow my agency, eliminating bottlenecks in client and team communication, allows us to get efficient client feedback, systemize client expectations, enhance team collaborations and optimize product. It's truly the reason I can run a multiple six figure design studio working part-time hours. Learn how this powerful platform transformed the business operations and client interactions, paving the way for efficiency, clarity, and seamless project management and how you can use it too! If you've been curious about ClickUp, or want to elevate your process, this episode will help! All templates I mention in this episode are in my shop, byoliviaaustin.com/shop ! Use code BTD10 for 10% off! Start your free trial with ClickUp using this link → https://clickup.com?fp_ref=olivia41 Free Leads + Clients tracker → https://delightful-glade-81121.myflodesk.com/ycuwhsfli1 Timestamps: 00:00 Excited to talk about streamlining business processes. 05:26 Overwhelmed by client and team communication. 09:14 Client communication improved with new project tools. 11:16 Centralized platform streamlines client project organization effectively. 17:25 Efficient communication, eliminates confusion, and simplifies processes. 23:34 Streamlining communication, organization, and project management efficiently. 25:30 ClickUp is great for agency owners and designers.

On today's episode, we are taking it super logistical, legal I guess ha! Where Paige Hulse of Paige Hulse Law is answering all of your small business legal questions. Paige Hulse received her Juris Doctorate from The University of Tulsa and is the owner and lead attorney of Paige Hulse Law, the founder of The Creative Law Shop® (CLS), Co-Founder of the Special Forces Support Fund™ and the owner of Fairway Stables™. As an intellectual property attorney and passionate serial entrepreneur, Paige fosters the tension between ambition and contentment; equipping diligent entrepreneurs to embrace their seachange, build an enduring business, and experience their own version of The American Dream. Timestamps: 00:00 Introducing Paige Hulse, IP Attorney and Mastermind sister 03:53 Creative work often misunderstood, undervalued in society. 08:38 Following intuition, meeting demand, being adaptable, successful. 10:27 Flexibility in work, diverse income sources important. 17:40 Registering intellectual property protects your business name. 19:44 Contract determines ownership of created content. 22:51 Small business owners should consider intellectual property. 26:28 Website legality and liability for designers explained. 31:12 Designer's need for creative license and AI. 35:38 Ensuring trademark and copyright compliance in design. 39:04 Original designers will have valuable intellectual property. 42:21 Plan business with potential for future sale. 48:04 Separate design studio from liability perspective first.

In this unfiltered and candid episode, Olivia delves into the nuances of her first year of motherhood. From navigating the unexpected realities of motherhood to redefining her identity, Olivia shares her personal journey with raw honesty. Discover her reflections on building a business around her new life as a mom and the importance of setting boundaries for both business and personal life. Gain insights on prioritizing self-care, embracing progress over perfection, and learning to live in harmony rather than seeking work-life balance. This episode offers inspiration, encouragement, and relatable experiences for all mothers, expectant mothers, and anyone navigating the complexities of modern motherhood. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that sheds light on the joys, challenges, and transformations of the first year of motherhood.Other related episodes: 86, 83, 75, 73byoliviaaustin.com/shop Use code BTD10 for 10% off!