In episode 142, I sit down with Amy Maxwell, founder and creative director of Maxwell Design, to talk about the real tension small creative shops face: how do you grow without sacrificing the craft that made you successful in the first place?

We dig into what it looks like to evolve from “hands-on designer” to “agency leader,” how to protect quality as you add capacity, and how to make smart choices about clients, process, and scope so growth doesn’t turn into chaos. If you want to scale with intention (and still love the work), this one’s for you.

Key Bytes • Scaling doesn’t have to mean sacrificing creative quality • Your process is what protects the craft as you grow • “Better clients” often solves what “more clients” can’t • You can stay hands-on without being the bottleneck • The right constraints create consistency, not limitation • Hiring should reduce friction, not add management drag • Clear scope and boundaries prevent quiet burnout

Chapters 00:00 Intro: scaling without losing the craft 02:10 Amy’s origin story and building Maxwell Design 06:20 The “stay small” choice and what it protects 11:05 When growth starts to strain quality (warning signs) 16:10 Processes that keep creative standards high 22:30 Team structure: support roles vs creative roles 28:40 Client fit, boundaries, and saying “no” earlier 34:15 Staying fulfilled while the business grows 40:20 Rapid-fire questions and wrap-up

Amy—Creative Director + Founder of Maxwell Design—has spent the last two decades helping businesses look their best. She’s an award-winning designer with a knack for reading minds and creating delightful visual experiences. Her solution-focused approach makes her someone you’ll want in any room. And her small (but mighty) team comes with some major design chops.

Contact Amy on LinkedIn or on their website.