From Outdated Labels to a Full Rebrand with Philip McCauley | 178
What happens when a former tech manager buys a 20-year-old health food business - and turns it into a modern, fast-growing CPG brand?In this episode, I’m talking with Philip Macaulay, the founder of Vital Purple and the new owner of NaturalZing, a raw food company he’s rebranded and expanded. Philip shares how he took over an outdated brand with 500 SKUs, fixed the packaging, introduced new products, launched an entirely new superfood line, and is now building something he believes will disrupt the cacao industry.Whether you're a designer working with CPG clients or a founder yourself, this is a rare behind-the-scenes look at rebranding, packaging, retail strategy, and launching innovative products from the ground up.You will learn:What it’s like to rebrand a legacy brand while managing existing retail relationshipsHow much he invested in branding and packaging for both product linesWhy visual identity directly impacted retail growth and customer trustHow Vital Purple is shifting the narrative around cacao productsThe overlooked link between design, storytelling, and sales in wellness brandsGrab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink what great branding actually means in the CPG space!And if you're tired of wasting time on invoices, tracking payments, or chasing overdue bills, check out FreshBooks. It’s the all-in-one invoicing and accounting software I use to stay organized and focus more on design - not admin.Aventive Academy’s Resources:From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
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52:14
Why You’re Still Not Fully Booked Designer | EP 177
You’re doing everything right. Great portfolio. Polished mockups. Refined skills. You’ve studied the trends, followed the advice, stayed consistent with your content. You’ve taken courses, built case studies, cleaned up your website, and tried to make every project look perfect. You’ve probably spent hours tweaking your fonts, updating mockups, rewriting your About page, hoping that this time it will finally land you clients.You’ve invested in yourself. You’ve grown. You know your work is good. So why aren’t you fully booked?Why are you still stuck wondering where the next client is coming from? Why are you pouring effort into your brand with little to show for it, while designers with half your skill seem to be booked out months in advance?It’s not about talent. It’s not about luck. And it’s definitely not about posting more carousels.In this episode, I’m sharing what actually keeps talented designers stuck and the changes I made that finally started bringing in consistent, high paying clients. We’re breaking down the real reasons clients aren’t reaching out and what to do instead.You will learn:Why great design isn’t enough to stay bookedWhat to fix if you’re showing up but not getting inquiriesThe clarity you need before focusing on visibilityHow to speak your clients’ language and stand outWhat I’d do first if I had to start from scratch todayGrab a coffee and your notes. This one is a wake up call.And if you're tired of wasting time on invoices, tracking payments, or chasing overdue bills, check out FreshBooks. It’s the all-in-one invoicing and accounting software I use to stay organized and focus more on design - not admin.Aventive Academy’s Resources:From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
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29:56
How Branding Helped This Skincare Founder Get to Walmart (Sarah Vilensky with Blossom Essentials) | EP 176
What does it really take to grow a skincare brand from a personal need to national retail shelves?In this episode, I’m talking with Sarah Wilensky, the founder and CEO of Blossom Essentials, a clean skincare brand for dry, sensitive, and reactive skin. You’ll hear how Sarah built her product line from scratch, landed retail deals including Walmart and Nordstrom, and made bold decisions like a full rebrand to match her growth goals. We also break down what visual investments she made, how she found her designer, and what she looks for when hiring creatives.Whether you're a designer working with product-based brands or a founder looking to scale, this conversation is packed with insights.You will learn:What made her invest in rebranding and packagingHow she knew her visuals needed to evolve for retailThe difference a long-term designer relationship makesHow she built visibility using Meta ads and trade showsTips for standing out in the saturated skincare marketGrab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to redefine how you work with brands that scale!And if you're tired of wasting time on invoices, tracking payments, or chasing overdue bills, check out FreshBooks. It’s the all-in-one invoicing and accounting software I use to stay organized and focus more on design - not admin.Aventive Academy’s Resources:From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
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31:39
$250,000 Branding & Design Project - What It Included & What I Learned | EP 175
What does a $250,000 branding and design project actually include?In this episode, I’m sharing what happened when I landed the biggest design project of my career. It came with a high price tag, a full team, and a long timeline. But the biggest lessons weren’t about money or scope. They were about the kind of business I want to build.You will learn:What went into a $250K branding project from start to finishHow we managed multiple brands, teams, and timelinesThe surprising parts of high-ticket client workWhat this taught me about how I want to run my businessWhy “scaling” doesn’t always look the way you think it willGrab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink what’s possible in your design business.And if you're tired of wasting time on invoices, tracking payments, or chasing overdue bills, check out FreshBooks. It’s the all-in-one invoicing and accounting software I use to stay organized and focus more on design - not admin.Aventive Academy’s Resources:From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
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25:06
Rebranding Through the Eyes of a Founder (CPG) | EP 174
You’ve heard designers talk about rebrands. But what does it actually feel like on the founder’s side? In this episode, I sat down with the creators of three beverage brands who’ve rebranded their products multiple times — and they didn’t hold back. We talked about design, shelf presence, retail growth, visual strategy, and how branding decisions get made when real money is on the line.You’ll learn:Why this brand went through three rebrandsWhat founders value most in design partnershipsThe surprising ways visuals impact shelf salesHow to make your work more strategic and founder-friendlyGrab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to redefine how you run your design business.And if you're tired of wasting time on invoices, tracking payments, or chasing overdue bills, check out FreshBooks. It’s the all-in-one invoicing and accounting software I use to stay organized and focus more on design - not admin.Aventive Academy’s Resources:From Crickets to Clients: https://aventiveacademy.com/crickets-to-clients/$12k Client Attraction Masterclass: https://aventiveacademy.com/attract-clients-workshop/Client Portal for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/client-portal/ The Wealthy Client Blueprint: https://aventiveacademy.com/wealthy-client/Mockup Magic: https://aventiveacademy.com/mockup-magic/ Brand Guidelines Template: https://aventiveacademy.com/brand-guidelines/ 12-Week Business Program for Designers: https://aventiveacademy.com/profit Join My Weekly Newsletter: https://aventive-academy.ck.page/0fc86a336f The Creative CEO Accelerator: https://aventiveacademy.com/accelerator
Welcome to The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast. My name is Kady Sandel, and this podcast was brought to you by Aventive Academy – an online business education platform that helps brand, graphic, and web designers get more clients, increase their pricing, and build a profitable design business. You can find out more about starting and growing your freelance design business at aventiveacademy.com
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