Designers often fall into two common traps when it comes to client workflows: trying to handle everything themselves or relying on rigid, pre-made workflow systems. Neither approach allows for the flexibility or personalisation needed to run a thriving design studio. In this blog, we explore why these methods fall short and how to build workflows that adapt to your business as it grows.

It’s not just your portfolio that sets you apart—it’s the experience you provide. A poor client experience can cost you more than just a frustrated client; it impacts your efficiency, reputation, and bottom line. In this blog, we explore how focusing on client experience can transform your business, from creating lasting client relationships to improving your workflow and financial stability.

Missed deadlines, scope creep, and overwhelming admin tasks can seriously derail your design projects. In this blog, we’ll break down the top signs your client workflows need an update, from inconsistent communication to clients constantly pushing for "one more thing."

There's no denying that Dubsado comes with ‘a bit’ of a learning curve. I’ve experienced this myself, as many clients of mine have as well. To ensure you avoid the same pitfalls, you need a clear Dubsado Setup Checklist. That's why in this blog post, we'll break down the setup process into 8 manageable steps.

If you've ever wondered about the true value of incorporating Dubsado into your design studio, you've likely sifted through various articles by fellow designers detailing their experiences. You’ll find the same answers across most of these articles that are basically a list of Dubsado’s features: Contracts, Invoices, and Proposals, Lead Capture Form, Brand Discovery questionnaire, Design Proofs, Appointment Scheduler, Client Portal, Workflow Automation

However, the essence of a CRM extends well beyond its features. Int his article, let's delve into ALL the benefits, both tangible and intangible, examining it from a holistic perspective and delving into Dubsado's specific features.

You want an elevated client workflow because your processes aren’t efficient or because you have a 6-week timeline for website projects but you’re not actually following a timeline. So you thought Dubsado was the answer, but it did not quite work out that way. In this blog, I’ll dive into the 3 most common underlying reasons I see why the Dubsado learning curve is so steep

Let's address a significant challenge in design projects: keeping them on schedule. We've all experienced the frustration when a project that should have taken one month stretches out to three or more. Let’s look at how you can ensure your business thrives by keeping projects on track while also providing guidance to clients who may be less familiar with working with a designer, ensuring they feel supported throughout the process.

Over the past few years, value-based pricing has been gaining momentum in the world of design. With this approach, your pricing hinges on the perceived value you deliver to clients, rather than mere competition or the hours you need to complete the project. But is this strategy right for your design studio? In this blog, we're looking at: what is value-based pricing, my perspective on value-based pricing and what you can do instead of value-based pricing

There's a common thread in the challenges so many talented designers face. Challenges, that if left unaddressed, can have a big impact on the sustainability and profitability of a design studio. In this blog, we'll explore the connections between these most common issues and how addressing one challenge can have a domino effect, positively impacting other areas of your design studio.

When you embrace your role as a problem solver, it opens doors to exciting opportunities! You can charge more for your design projects, offer additional services like clarity calls and brand audits, and diversify the income streams within your business – all while providing valuable solutions in shorter timeframes. In this blog, we will delve into the first reason and explore actionable strategies to reposition yourself as a problem-solving designer.

In this blog, we'll look a the differences between Dubsado and ClickUp and I'll share some practical examples of things that can be managed in both systems so that you can see the difference.

I learned the hard way that rigid planning in our creative businesses can quickly become suffocating. It can make us feel like quitting and drain the joy out of what we love to do.

In this blog, let's shine a light on the risks lurking behind those meticulously crafted year-long plans and explore how we can strike the perfect balance between structure and flexibility in our planning process.

We're breaking this up into 4 different sections:

• The drawbacks of planning for a full year

• What to do instead of planning for the whole year

• How to implement this approach

• Finding the right balance between structure and flexibility is key to unlocking the true potential of your design studio.

When I started my business, I jumped on the Asana bandwagon. It did the job, but deep down, I couldn't shake this nagging feeling that I was wasting too much time. It wasn’t until I found ClickUp that I was a whole new level of project management possibilities. I'll share why I made the switch and give you a glimpse of how my project management setup looked in Asana versus what it does now in ClickUp.

Striking a balance between creativity and effective business management is the key to long-term success. But designers are often keeping themselves busy with creative work because that is where they feel comfortable.

How can you effectively communicate your skills, ideas, and the unique value you bring to the table in a design proposal? In this blog, I'll share what I believe are essential sections to include that will captivate your clients and demonstrate the impact you can make. Plus, I've got a few ready-made sections that you can simply copy and paste into your client workflows.

If you’re struggling with productivity it's essential to dig deeper – you need to know the real reasons behind your challenges. It's not just about the how-tos; it's about the whole picture. Your mindset, your processes, tools & systems, strategic planning & goal setting – all these factors (and more) are having an impact when it comes to getting things done. And this blog looks at all of them.

Are you a designer at a tipping point, feeling overwhelmed and realising you can't continue down the same path? Dive into this blog as we explore the crucial distinction between working in and on your design business. Discover why it's essential to prioritise working on your business, learn how to strike a balance and take the first step towards transforming your creative journey into a thriving entrepreneurial venture.

Get an inside look into my weekly planning routine. In this blog, I’m breaking the weekly planning routine up into 6 steps so that you can learn how to plan your week as a designer for maximum productivity

Ever wondered if you need Dubsado or ClickUp as a designer because you don’t have a lot of clients simultaneously? In this blog, I’ll share my opinion about this.

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and disorganised in your design business? It's time to optimise your processes and unleash your full potential.

In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of having clearly defined processes that act as a GPS for your business.

Discover the five core processes every designer needs, including internal operations, business planning, marketing + content, lead generation + sales, and client workflow + design process.

By implementing these processes, you'll save time, boost productivity, and enhance the client experience. Let me guide you on how to simplify, structure, and streamline your business for sustainable growth and profitability.