The Unapologetic Designer Podcast

Latest Episodes:

$10K + Worth Of Projects After Just 4 Months Of Networking Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

This year, I decided to take networking seriously and within just four months, it led to over $10K in booked projects. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what I did to make that happen (without feeling overly salesy).

Whether you’re an introvert or simply want to book more local clients, you’ll walk away with practical, real strategies you can start using to grow your business and attract dream clients through genuine connections.

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(youtube style) 'everyone around me was booking clients & I was like when is it my turn?' Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Caroline is the self-taught designer behind Corson Studio and today, she’s pulling back the curtain on her journey from undercharging and second-guessing… to enrolling in our signature DBA University program and finally landing her first $4,000 design client. But here’s the truth:
Caroline didn’t book that high-ticket client right away.
While some students land premium clients just weeks after joining, it took Caroline nearly six months after graduating to get her first big “yes.”

And that’s exactly why you need to hear this. Her story isn’t about overnight success.
It’s about staying the course and being happy for others even when it feels like everyone else is winning but you.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Add $2K + To Your Design Packages By Partnering With A Copywriter Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Nikki, a copywriter who partners with designers to elevate their client projects with ease. We dive into what her process actually looks like behind the scenes, how she seamlessly fits into designers’ workflows, and why offering done-for-you copy can instantly increase the value (and results) of your design packages without adding more to your plate.

If you’ve ever wished your clients had better words to match the visuals, this episode is for you!

Nikki’s FREE Masterclass For Agencies

Nikki’s Website

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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'booked out' but struggling to pay bills Oct 03, 2025

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In this episode, I sit down with a designer who was fully booked on the outside, but behind the scenes was undercharging, overworking, and still struggling to pay the bills. We talk about:

The hidden downsides of being “booked out”
How underpricing impacts your business long-term
Different ways to launch and sell your services

This conversation is a reminder that being busy doesn’t always mean being successful and why redefining what booked out looks like is essential for growth.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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They Only Take 4 Massive Branding Projects a Year ($30K +) Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m sitting down with David Masters Group, a studio known for taking on only four clients per year. They take a deep storytelling approach that transforms branding into an immersive journey, not just a deliverable.

We dive into:

How doing fewer, deeper projects opens the door to bigger clients
Why pricing becomes easier when your work is rooted in meaning
The mindset shift designers need to build brands that last beyond money

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to create branding that feels like art, legacy, and impact all at once...this conversation will change the way you think about design.

David Masters Group Website

Bourbon & Branding YouTube

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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From Solo Chaos to Design Agency: Josh Hall’s Turning Point Sep 19, 2025

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Imagine managing 23 client projects by yourself. For Josh Hall, that unsustainable reality forced a drastic shift...one that transformed his business forever. In this episode, Josh shares the lessons, challenges, and unexpected opportunities that come with growing into an agency model.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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From $20 logos to $20K projects with Olivia Austin Sep 12, 2025

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Olivia of Current Design Studio shares how she scaled from a 700 sq. ft. beach bungalow to leading $20K creative projects. Her story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship takes bold risks and unwavering self-belief.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Break Free from Feast & Famine as a Designer (w/ Cat from Peaceful Creatives) Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

I'm joined by Cat, host of The Peaceful Creatives Podcast, to talk about how designers and creative entrepreneurs can finally escape the feast and famine cycle, reduce burnout, and build a profitable, sustainable business without sacrificing peace of mind.

We dive into:

Practical ways to break free from burnout as a designer
How to end the feast and famine cycle for freelancers and creative business owners
Strategies for creating a peaceful, profitable design business that actually lasts
Mindset shifts and business habits that support long-term success as a creative entrepreneur

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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3 Reasons You Feel Stuck As A Graphic Designer (Action, Strategy, Mindset) Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we’re breaking down the real reason behind stuck energy and whether it’s a gap in action, strategy, or mindset that’s slowing your momentum.

This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list...it’s about real accountability that drives results. We’re sharing how our 3 zones of genius inside Design Biz Academy help designers get clear, stay consistent, and actually go after their goals with confidence.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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She Paid $200 for a Coaching Call Then Landed a $7K Client Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

What if a single $200 coaching call could change the trajectory of your design business? In this episode, I’m sharing the story of one of our Social Butterfly Club members who took what we taught her in just ONE call and used it to book a $7,500 client. Proof that when you get clear strategy and apply it, you can see results fast.

We’ll break down what made the difference for her, why she was able to book such a high-ticket client so quickly, and how you can apply the same mindset and strategies in your own business. If you’ve ever wondered whether investing in mentorship actually pays off, this episode is your sign.

Kari's Instagram

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