173 How to Scale Your Design Business Without Burning Out
Scaling your design business doesn’t have to mean overworking, overdelivering, or overcomplicating everything. I spent years trying to grow by doing more. More services. More clients. More offers. And all it did was push me closer to burnout. In this episode, I’m walking you through how I shifted into sustainable growth by simplifying what worked, protecting my energy, and structuring my week like a real CEO. If your business feels heavy or chaotic, this is your reset.You will learn:What actually causes burnout when trying to scaleHow to structure your week so your business becomes scalableWhat to delegate first, even if you’re not fully bookedHow to simplify offers, team, and systems to support growthWhy doing less is the fastest way to scale sustainablyGrab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to scale your design business without burning out.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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172 From Freelancer to Agency Owner - What I Wish I Knew
You don’t become an agency owner by accident. It takes intention, structure, and a shift in how you think about money, clients, and your own value. I spent years making mistakes that kept me stuck in the freelance cycle. From undercharging and customizing every project to thinking hiring was only for people who were ready. In this episode, I’m walking you through everything I wish I knew earlier so you can skip the struggle and step into your next level faster.You will learn:Why productizing your services leads to better clients and more freedomHow to stop underpricing and start thinking like a CEOWhat your first hire should actually be and it’s probably not a designerThe difference between selling design and selling resultsThe mindset shift that helped me go from surviving to scalingGrab a cup of coffee, your notes, and get ready to build the business you actually want.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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171 Building a Simple Funnel to Attract Higher-Paying Clients
Most designers think they need a fancy funnel to book high-paying clients. Freebies, automations, email sequences, nurture series. But the truth is, premium design clients are not waiting for your welcome email. They are actively looking for someone right now and they want clarity, confidence, and a clear next step. In this episode, I’ll show you how to build a simple funnel that actually works for a design business. One that positions you as the expert and gets more qualified inquiries without overcomplicating anything.You will learn:Why traditional funnels do not work for premium design servicesThe three parts your website must have to convert visitors into clientsWhat your call to action should say and where it should beHow to remove the friction that causes clients to ghostWhat to include on your site that builds trust instantlyClose the tabs, grab your favorite drink, and let’s upgrade how you attract serious clients.And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out Wix Studio. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.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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170 How to Make Website Design Your Most Profitable Offer
Most designers think they need to learn more skills or work more hours to grow their income. But the truth is, your next level might be as simple as adding one high-value offer. In this episode, I share why web design is one of the smartest ways to grow your revenue without burning out. I’ll show you how to position it, how I structure my process, and why it can turn one-time clients into long-term partnerships.You will learn:Why web design is easier to sell than branding aloneHow to simplify your process and avoid tech overwhelmWhat makes web design naturally scalable and recurringHow to position websites as strategic solutions, not just designMy exact $9K to $12K web package structurePour your coffee, grab your notebook, and let’s rethink how you grow your design business with less stress and more strategy.And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out Wix Studio. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.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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167 The Portfolio Mistake That’s Costing You High-Paying Clients
If your portfolio looks like a collection of everything you have ever designed, that might be exactly why high-paying clients are not reaching out.In this episode of The Profitable Graphic Designer, I am sharing the portfolio mistake that keeps talented designers stuck at low-paying projects. This is not about your design skills. It is about how you present your work, how you curate your portfolio, and how you guide potential clients to trust that you are the right designer for them.You will learn:Why showing less can help you book moreWhat high-paying clients actually want to see in a portfolioThe exact structure of a strong case studyHow to align your portfolio with the services you offerWhat to remove immediately if you want to attract better clientsGrab your coffee and your notes. It is time to turn your portfolio into a tool that sells.And if you want to start offering web design without dealing with code or tech stress, check out Wix Studio. It’s built for designers like you who want to keep full creative control and add more value for their clients.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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