Podcast
The Unapologetic Designer Podcast
Your blueprint to unfiltered design business success with Kenzi of Kenzi Green Design. From charging $75 for logos to booking $10,000 design clients and building a six-figure studio, I’ve seen it all. This podcast reveals what it really takes to attract high-ticket clients and thrive as a designer.
Join me as I share hard-earned lessons, interview successful designers, and chat with my own design students from The Brief Collective as they break down the strategies behind their success. Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale your design business, this is your go-to resource.
- Episodes
- 179
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 22 min
- On air since
- 2022
- Latest episode
- 1 month ago
Episodes
179 episodes, newest first
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49 min
Licensed Hypnotherapist: Why You Still Think Building a Six Figure Design Business Isn’t Possible
Show notes
If you’ve heard hundreds of designer success stories but still find yourself thinking, “That’s great for them, but that could never be me,” this episode is for you.
I’m talking with a subconscious reprogramming specialist (licensed hypnotherapist) about why seeing proof that something is possible isn’t always enough to change what you believe is possible for you. We get into the subconscious beliefs shaping how you price, sell, show up, and make decisions and why those beliefs can keep running the show even when, logically, you know better.
Then, she takes us through an exercise that allows you to access the subconscious beliefs underneath those patterns and begin creating a different picture of what’s possible. So if you know success exists, but some part of you still doesn’t quite believe it can be yours…tune in for the full episode.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
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30 min
HDS 12 - Designer Got 37 Inquiries From One Post (Izzy's Story)
Show notes
In this episode, Izzy breaks down how she applied our exact framework including one incredibly simple shift: adding just 10 seconds to the end of her content to actually ask for the sale.
That small change helped one Instagram Reel generate 37 inquiries!
With branding services starting at $6,000, she’s already turned that momentum into a $10K project with more opportunities still coming in.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
Apply For Design Biz Academy
#graphicdesignpodcast #designbusiness #brandingpodcast #fordesigners #designtips #freelancingtips #brandingcourse #branddesigner
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40 min
HDS 11 - $7,500 Client Paid In Full Less Than a Month After DBA (Marielle & Michelle's Story)
Show notes
Marielle shares her experience inside DBA, why she says it was unlike any course she has ever taken, and the shifts that changed not only the way she approached her business, but her life.
She opens up about where she was before DBA, what changed for her throughout the program, and what happened after graduation... including booking a $7,500 client who paid in full less than a month later. We talk about the strategy, support, confidence, and mindset shifts that helped her begin showing up differently in her business, charging at a higher level, and seeing bigger opportunities as something that could actually be possible for her.
If $7,500 projects or $10K months still feel like something other designers get to have (but not you), this episode will give you a powerful look at what can change when your strategy and your belief in what’s possible begin to catch up with each other.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
Apply For Design Biz Academy
#graphicdesignpodcast #designbusiness #brandingpodcast #fordesigners #designtips #freelancedesign
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30 min
HDS 10 - From “I’m Not Qualified” to a $12K Client (Jannan’s Story)
Show notes
Jannan already had clients, experience, and the skills to do the work but she was missing the confidence to charge at the level she was capable of delivering.
In this episode, Jannan shares what was keeping her from seeing herself as someone who could confidently sell a $12K project, what shifted during her DBA experience, and what happened when she finally started showing up, positioning herself, and selling at that level.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
Apply For Design Biz Academy
#graphicdesignpodcast #designbusiness #brandingpodcast #fordesigners #designtips #freelancedesign
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28 min
HDS 9 - From Toxic Job To $22K Branding Project (Katie's Story)
Show notes
Katie never thought she’d work for herself but when her job became so difficult that staying was no longer an option, she knew something had to change. In this DBA student interview, we’re talking about what happened when Katie took the leap, joined DBA, and started building a design business of her own even before she fully saw herself as an entrepreneur.
She shares the uncertainty that came with leaving her job, what shifted once she had the right support and strategy, and how she went on to book a $22,000 project. If you’ve been telling yourself you’re “not the kind of person who could start a business,” this conversation might change what you think is possible.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
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23 min
HDS 8 - The System Behind Managing 12 Active Client Projects
Show notes
I’m taking you behind the scenes of how I keep multiple client projects active at the same time without burning myself out and what “scaling” into a team has actually looked like for me. Taking on more clients didn’t just mean getting better at managing my time.
It meant figuring out what I should still be doing, what needed a system, what could be handed off, and where I actually needed support.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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22 min
HDS 7 - Making $10K/Month (without doing more work)
Show notes
Every month a minimum of $10K hits my account for work I've already completed. I’ll share how this payment structure works, why it gives me more predictable income, and why I'm no longer afraid to offer long term payment plans.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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10 min
HDS 6 - I Spent $6K On Ads (Here's Why They Won't Fix Your Design Business)
Show notes
I’m breaking down why ads are not the golden ticket so many designers think they are. I’m also sharing why getting more eyes on your business should not be your first goal, what to review before spending money on ads, and how better systems are key to success.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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14 min
HDS 5 - How I Book $7K Clients (Who Already Paid for a Logo)
Show notes
I have multiple clients investing upwards of $7,000 after already paying another designer for a logo. In this episode, I’m breaking down the sales skills that make that possible.
You’ll learn how to lead a deeper discovery call, ask questions that uncover what the client’s current brand is not solving, and help them see the value of things like branded social media templates, clearer visual systems, and strategic direction. #hotdesignersummer
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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20 min
HDS 4 - The Trust Gap That’s Costing You High-Ticket Clients
Show notes
With AI, scams, and so many service providers overpromising and underdelivering, high-ticket clients are asking: “Can I actually trust this person?”
It’s no longer just about creating a good brand or website.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to build trust with high-ticket buyers so they feel confident investing in you because trust is what makes people say yes. #hotdesignersummer
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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14 min
HDS 3 - How To Stop Losing Clients to Cheaper Designers
Show notes
Clients don’t always choose the designer with the prettiest proposal, lowest price, or biggest portfolio...they choose the one they trust.
In this episode, I’m breaking down what actually makes clients say yes, how to build trust before the sales call, and how to become the designer high ticket clients choose even when other designers charge less or have more experience than you. #hotdesignersummer
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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17 min
HDS 2 - How One Post Booked Me Out For 3 Months
Show notes
I’m breaking down the one post that booked out my design business for over three months and why it had nothing to do with posting more. The truth is, more content isn’t always the answer. Better messaging is.
I’m sharing what made this post convert so well, how it created a “wait… that’s me” moment for my audience, and why designers need to stop posting just to stay visible and start creating content that actually builds demand.
You’ll learn how to turn everyday moments into powerful content ideas, how to make your dream clients feel seen, and why your visuals should support your message... not carry the entire post.
Plus, I’m giving you a simple exercise to create your next intentional post! #hotdesignersummer
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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15 min
HDS 1 - How To Have A Hot Designer Summer
Show notes
We’re kicking off Hot Designer Summer meaning over the next 10 weeks I am going to be in your ear helping you become the booked out designer everyone won’t shut up about.
If you’re ready to get visible this season, this series is for you.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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17 min
Six Ways 9-5 Jobs Poison Graphic Designers (who want their own business)
Show notes
For most creatives, the voice in their head guiding their hesitations, fears, and decisions has actually been created by a 9-5 job.
That's how they end up saying "I want a successful design business" for 5 years with little to no progress... because every decision is still being filtered through fear, safety, approval, and the need for a guaranteed outcome.
At some point, the only way things change is by being willing to bet on yourself, take calculated risks, and slowly let go of the safety net that's been keeping you mentally stuck in the same place.
In this episode, I dive into the six most common ways 9-5 jobs create limiting beliefs in your mind that hold you back from pursuing your goals.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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42 min
Resilience Booked Her First $10K Client (Not Another Strategy)
Show notes
Andrea went from charging $800 to booking a $10,700 client within a year but it wasn’t a straight path. Her journey was full of pivots, investments, doubt, self-work, and showing up even when nothing seemed to be working.
This episode is about what it actually looks like to find your purpose… and the discipline it takes to stick with it long before the results catch up.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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41 min
Creative Director Breaks Down Print, Campaigns, and the Psychology Behind Ads
Show notes
I sat down with Erika, Creative Director and CEO of Erika Maram, where she leads editorial design, creative direction, photography, and high-level campaign work. We dive into her journey from working with Goss Magazine to being on set with female astronauts, and how she’s built long-term client relationships in an industry that’s constantly evolving.
This episode breaks down the strategy, storytelling, and trust behind timeless work.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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40 min
Why This Brand Strategist Charges a Fee for Public Feedback
Show notes
I sit down with Naoma Serna-Zahn, brand strategist and principal behind Nuevo, to talk about the realities of high-level brand work.
We also get into:
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Why public feedback can derail a branding project
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The difference between brand strategy vs. visual design
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How Naoma attracts B2B clients with projects starting around $18.5K
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The different ways we each generate clients
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What masterminds actually make sense depending on your dream clients
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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22 min
How Much It Actually Costs to Host a Design Retreat
Show notes
Everyone sees the aesthetic photos, curated dinners, and the dreamy locations… but no one talks about what it actually costs to host a design retreat.
In this episode, we’re breaking down the real numbers behind our retreat from venue and accommodations to marketing, experiences, and the unexpected expenses that add up fast.
If you’ve ever thought about hosting your own retreat, or you’re wondering why high-end experiences are priced the way they are...this episode will completely shift your perspective.
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17 min
Fixing Real Designer's Posts (Why They Aren’t Getting Clients)
Show notes
I’m fixing real posts from designers inside our marketing membership and showing you exactly why they weren’t converting to clients… and what we changed to make them work.
A lot of designers are posting consistently, putting in the effort… and still not getting inquiries.
And it’s not the algorithm.
It’s how the content is built.
I walk through 3 real examples and break down: what’s not working, what’s missing, and how to fix it using emotional pull, storytelling, and actual buyer psychology (not just “post more” advice).
You’ll literally see the difference between a post that gets ignored… and one that can actually book a client.
YouTube Version Of This Episode
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
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1 hr 4 min
She booked 80 design clients last year (these are her secrets)
Show notes
Have you seen the designer on Threads posting her $20K monthly roundups and a number of client projects most designers only dream about?
Today I'm sitting down with Rachel for an hour-long conversation about how she is hitting consistent high cash months, booking 80 + clients in a year, and what she’s actually doing behind the scenes to make it happen.
We get into how she markets, how she positions herself, what changed in her mindset, and the non-obvious decisions that have played a huge role in her growth.
Join Social Butterfly Club (Marketing Membership For Designers)
The Brief Collective Design Biz Academy
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