Better: The Brand Designer Podcast

This summer, our design community, and the world, lost an incredible soul too soon during a climbing trip in Peru, our very own co-host, Giselle Field. In the first part of this two-part memorial episode, we heard many incredible things about Giselle from our design and podcast community. Now, in the second part of this two-part episode, we will hear from those who were closest to her - her friends and family. Because of Giselle, countless designers, and countless friends and family members, have found friendship, comfort, support, encouragement, and someone to turn to when they felt alone. A few months after Giselle passed away, Jen created a submission form to which anyone could submit either written or audio memories of their dear friend, podcast co-host, mentor, co-worker, and sister. These two special memorial episodes are where these memories will be forever available to whomever wants to hear how Giselle touched the lives of so many, and the wonderful ways in which she will be remembered. Thank you to everyone who submitted a memory - Jen hopes for these two episodes to be very small reflections and facets of Giselle's beautiful self, a tribute to her life and the impact she had on everyone she touched.In both of these episodes, Jen is joined by Ella Moyer, UX designer, photographer, past podcast virtual assistant, team member of Hello June Creative, team member of Wander Design Co., and good friend to both co-hosts. Ella has been integral in the success of this podcast, and there were many days where she, Jen, & Giselle would hang out in the Better slack channel together, dreaming about the podcast, and about meeting one day. Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resources

This summer, our design community, and the world, lost an incredible soul too soon during a climbing trip in Peru, our very own co-host, Giselle Field. We will hear many incredible things about Giselle from our design and podcast community today, and in the second part of this two-part episode, from those who were closest to her - her friends and family. Because of Giselle, countless designers, and countless friends and family members, have found friendship, comfort, support, encouragement, and someone to turn to when they felt alone. A few months after Giselle passed away, Jen created a submission form to which anyone could submit either written or audio memories of their dear friend, podcast co-host, mentor, co-worker, and sister. These two special memorial episodes are where these memories will be forever available to whomever wants to hear how Giselle touched the lives of so many, and the wonderful ways in which she will be remembered. Thank you to everyone who submitted a memory - Jen hopes for these two episodes to be very small reflections and facets of Giselle's beautiful self, a tribute to her life and the impact she had on everyone she touched.In both of these episodes, Jen is joined by Ella Moyer, UX designer, photographer, past podcast virtual assistant, team member of Hello June Creative, team member of Wander Design Co., and good friend to both co-hosts. Ella has been integral in the success of this podcast, and there were many days where she, Jen, & Giselle would hang out in the Better slack channel together, dreaming about the podcast, and about meeting one day. Our Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Podcast Website: https://www.betterbranddesigner.comPodcast Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resources

In this solo episode, Giselle opens up about why and how she launched a digital course. What seems like a couple of months of preparation for the course was really three years in the making. Giselle spills it all to encourage those that dream about making digital products but hold themselves back for many reasons — just like she did to herself.Giselle covers: product ideation, goal-setting, prelaunching and launching, imposter syndrome, progress over perfection, Essentialism by Greg McKeown, business coaching, overcoming shame, mental health challenges, and future ideas for the course.From Giselle:First off, I have to give a huge shoutout to the women that impacted my professional and personal lives, my previous coaches and current friends: Avani Miriyala, Jane Scudder, and Kelsey Kerslake.I also wanted to address the importance of taking care of one’s mental health in this episode. My hope is that we as entrepreneurs can have the space to step back when our personal lives call for it and not feel ashamed nor lose the momentum we worked so hard to build for our businesses. It's ok to step back, it's ok to take care of yourself first. Plus, our community is built to support you in both the highs and lows.Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Website: https://www.bettebranddesigner.com/Better Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesLinks Mentioned:Avani Miriyala’s InstagramKelsey Kerslake’s InstagramDiana Martinez from Required ReadingClickUp*Clickup for Designers CourseEssentialism by Greg McKeown**Affiliate links: we receive a small commission to help support the podcast at no cost to you.

And thats a wrap! We’re finishing season 3 off with an episode packed with answers to your inbox questions. Giselle and I talk everything from contracts, whether we pricing on our websites, knowing when to grow teams, (and finding good contractors to work with), communicating value to clients, and more. We couldn’t be more thankful for our Facebook community and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this episode!Our VA:Ella’s websiteElla’s photo site‍Ella’s Instagram: @ellamoyer.ux‍Our Editor:Stuart's websiteLinks Mentioned:‍All things legal episode Difficult client stories episode Our new website‍Jen on Clubhouse: @hellojuneGiselle on Clubhouse: @wanderdesignco

Today is a very special episode with just Jen Davis! We had some interest in learning more about Jen’s experience having a baby and scaling her business at the same time, and so she recorded an episode about it where she chats through maternity leave, struggles, wins, mistakes, and what she did during the first 6 months of her baby's life as a mom and a business owner.From Jen:I am so beyond blessed to have my little baby boy Ryder (who inspired my new studio name - he was born in June 2020!) - but I think beyond sharing the happy, positive, wonderful side of new motherhood it's important to also talk about how hard it can be, especially as someone running a business full time from home.An important note: like all businesses, all babies (and mamas) are different and find different things that work for them. I am only sharing my personal experience in the hopes that it might encourage other mamas and/or help you avoid the mistakes I made! Like all of our episodes, take what resonates and leave the rest!Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Website:https://www.bettebranddesigner.com/Better Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesLinks Mentioned:https://www.hellojunecreative.coInstagram.com/hellojunecreativeFacebook.com/hellojunecreative

Giselle is joined by Shay M. Lawson, Esq to answer all your legal questions! (Jen badly wishes she could have been there, but the baby needed her that day!)Giselle and Shay open today's episode answering the icebreaker question: “Thinking back to a year ago today, what is one thing you gained last year that you want to step more into this year?” Then, they move into talking all about the legal side of running a design business. Shay breaks down brand identity and trademarks, what trademarking a brand looks like and explains what consumer confusion is. She then speaks to filing copyright registration, trademark registration, client services agreements and what to do before starting the design process with a new client. (SO many nuggets here — this is one you will want to take notes on!)If you are a freelance designer, studio owner, or someone hoping to work with your own clients someday, this episode is one you won’t want to miss! We can’t wait to hear what you think of today’s episode!Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Website: https://www.bettebranddesigner.com/Better Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesLinks Mentioned:www.shaymlawson.comwww.solo-ceo.comIG: @shaymlawsonTwitter: @shaymlawsonFB: Shay M LawsonPodcast: Minute of Your TimeClubhouse: @shaymlawsonConsult Calendar: bit.ly/consultshayWork with Shay By Booking a Free Discovery Call Here: solo-ceo.com

Get ready to be inspired! In this week’s episode Jen chats with Morgan Rapp about all things value-based pricing and shifting our mindsets around money and sales.We break the ice by sharing what our ideal day would look like. Then, Morgan dives into her story — how she got started in design, hit rock bottom in her design business, and what she did to quickly scale to 6 figures.Morgan shares how she shifted her mindset around time and discovered value based pricing. She talks all about the importance of sales calls and selling confidently. Morgan also discusses why we, as designers, need to focus on listening to the client, learn to speak the client’s language, and uncover and share the value we provide to them.Finally, Morgan answers the burning question that all of us designers seem to have: “How do I raise my prices without scaring people away?”If you’ve ever wondered what value-based pricing is, if it might be right for your business, or how to present it to your clients, this episode is for you!Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Website:  https://www.bettebranddesigner.com/Better Resources Page:  https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesLinks Mentioned:Apply for Design Biz Mastery (applying isn't a commitment): https://dbm.morganrapp.com/

Earlier this year we asked you to share your difficult client stories and today those stories—as well as our own—are live! Although they are SUPER entertaining, we make sure to also share how the designer could have avoided the problem in the first place so we can all learn together.Giselle opens the episode by telling the story about her $400 website project and Jen shares what she learned from a difficult contractor relationship from the beginning of her business.We talk all about making sure our values align with our work and finish up the episode answering the question: “What is your philosophy as a designer?”Giselle and Jen believe that there is so much to be learned from difficult client experiences. While going through them can be hard, reflecting and sharing them with a supportive community can make us all better designers (see what we did there?)Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Website: https://www.bettebranddesigner.com/Better Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesLinks Mentioned: Brand Mentor by Alex from The Routine CreativeThe Contract ShopEssentialism by Greg McKeown: https://amzn.to/39VtLh7*Required Reading CopywritingWander Design’s PhilosophyThe Futur CORE Framework Advanced Strategy Bundle* Giselle says the bundle is worth getting over just the Framework course, because it has hours of genius advice from previously recorded membership calls regarding facilitating, selling, mindset, etc.Quill & Co’s Brand Clarity Academy Waitlist*Affiliate links: we receive a small commission to help support the podcast at no cost to you

One of the most popular questions we get asked is how we book our ideal clients. Today we have Meredith Uyeyama from Quixotic Design Co on the podcast to chat all about booking dream clients and nailing the sales call.We open the episode sharing our favorite places to get icons for branding projects. Meredith then tells her story about starting a design studio, becoming a creative director, and managing a team.We dive into how Meredith has defined her ideal client and successfully found her niche in the industry. Meredith shares how she got her first client and her number one tip for getting referrals.We share our advice for having an abundance mindset, branding for our ideal client, writing goals and keeping promises to ourselves. Meredith talks all about the strategies her team uses to build relationships with dream clients and the value of building rapport before selling.If you’re ready to level up your design business and confidently book that dream client, this episode is full of tangible takeaways for you! We can’t wait to hear what you think!Facebook Group:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Website:  https://www.bettebranddesigner.com/Better Resources Page:   https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesLinks Mentioned:https://www.quixoticdesignco.comhttps://www.instagram.com/quixoticdesignco/$25 off website templates with code BBD: https://www.quixoticdesignco.com/shoptemplates 

We get asked all the time about how we get clients and beat imposter syndrome, so today’s conversation is about all things designer confidence and overcoming the ego. If you’re a designer looking to improve your relationship with your work, sell confidently and/or redefine success, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!We open our chat sharing the last time we felt totally confident in taking on a design project and the last time we felt totally incompetent. Then, our conversation moves to a good discussion about mindset and forming our businesses around what we really want out of life. We talk about becoming self aware, setting intentions, and the importance of not measuring our worth through material things.Jen shares her story about leaving a great job in NYC and redefining success for herself. We discuss the importance of detaching self worth from both our failures and successes (which, as you probably know, can be super hard for us as creatives). Jen also shares snippets from her “hype folder” (you’re going to want to make your own after this episode)!We finish our episode talking about the best ways for designers to organize and manage their businesses. We discuss the value of setting up great systems for our teams and Giselle shares all about her new ClickUp for Designers course!Giselle and Jen got #real in today’s episode and are so excited to be sharing their best advice for designer confidence and overcoming the ego. We can’t wait to hear what you think!Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterbranddesigner/Website: https://www.bettebranddesigner.com/Better Resources Page: https://www.betterbranddesigner.com/resourcesLinks Mentioned:Essentialism by Greg McKeown: Amazon*Diagram of imposter syndrome: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHnS-zIAIwM/Giselle's ClickUp for Designer's Course: www.clickupfordesigners.com