This week, we are back with another branding bestie episode with my design bestie, Lauren. We chat about the benefits and strategies of trading design services, how Lauren recently did trades with vendors for her wedding, and some past and current trades we’ve both done. We also talk about the importance of choosing the right trade partners, times when trades are appropriate, and making sure you don’t skip the contract just because it’s a trade.

*Don’t forget to drop a post in the podcast FB group or DM Lauren or Jen if you wish and tell us something you have traded services for. We would love to hear about it!

Guest Name: Lauren Braier

Guest Website: elbycreative.com

Guest IG: @elbycreative

Lauren's Pod: Branding Bestie Podcast

Previous Branding Bestie Episodes:

S11E4 Branding Bestie Chit Chat: What’s the Future of the Boutique Brand Design Industry?

S11E8 Branding Bestie Chit Chat: Reading Our Old Goals with Lauren

S11E11 Branding Bestie Chit Chat: Designing a Life You Love

S11E14 Branding Bestie Chit Chat: Breaking Down Sticky Client Situations

Links:

The Design Minimind - Applications open until Nov 20th!

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*

*Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

✨ The Design Minimind - Apply Here (applications open until Nov 20th — limited spots are filling fast!)

Episode Description:

In this solo episode, I chat about some common mistakes brand and web design studio owners frequently make that are interfering with the growth and profitability as a business owner. Drawing from years of experience and observing patterns among my students in The Design Minimind as a mentor.

Episode Mentioned:

S5 E14: Iterating on the One-Concept Method

Links:

The Design Minimind - Applications open until Nov 20th!

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*

*Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

The Design Minimind - Accepting Applications NOW OPEN! - Apply Here.

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This week, I had a past Design Minimind student Shani of Shani Jay Creative on to talk about her experience in the program and how much of an impact it had on her business and the revenue goals she hit and surpassed! We talk about the importance of confidence, going all in, proper mindset, and strategic investments in building a sustainable and profitable design & web business.

Guest Name: Shani Josefovits

Guest Website: shanijaycreative.com

Guest IG: @shanijaycreative

Reclaim Your Brand in 15 days: Sign up here.

Links:

The Design Minimind - Applications NOW OPEN! - Apply Here.

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*

*Some are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

I’m back with another spooky client story episode in celebration of Halloween, with Audrey who is my production designer here at Hello June. We read your spooky stories that you submitted anonymously and Jen shares a spooky(kinda) lead that reached out to her as well!

Guest Name: Audrey Humphreys (HJC's production designer!)

Guest Website: audaciouscreativestudio.com

Guest IG: @audaciouscreativestudio

Episodes Mentioned:

S8 E12 | Spooooky Client Stories (Round 2) with Lauren Braier

S6 E12 | Spooooky Client Stories

Kenzi’s Podcast: The Unapologetic Designer Podcast

00:00: Intro & info about my NEW offer *Scale with Confidence*

13:24: Jen’s Spooky (kinda) Inquiry Story

18:16: Spooky Client Story #1

24:38: Spooky Client Story #2

30:16: Spooky Client Story #3

35:04: Spooky Client Story #4

38:13: Spooky Client Story #5

43:23: Spooky Client Story #6

45:37: Spooky Client Story #7

46:21: “The Day I Met a Ghost..Kinda of” #8

48:20: Spooky Client Story #9

49:38: “The White Roses Incident” #10

55:06: Halloween Plans

Links:

The Design Minimind

• Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*

*These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this episode, I chat with Katie of Katie Creative Co, who is a social media strategist. We dive into the nuances of using social media effectively—focusing on a people-first approach that prioritizes genuine relationships over algorithmic approval. Katie shares her tactical breakdown of growth, nurture, and connection content, the power of vulnerability and personal storytelling, and practical ways to avoid burnout. This episode is perfect for those looking to enhance their social media presence while staying authentic and avoiding burnout.

Guest Name: Katie Campbell

Guest Website: katiecreativecompany.com

Guest IG: @katiecreativeco

Social Sweet Spot Course: Learn More

00:00: Intro and Minimind Video Library Overview

06:49: Challenges of Social Media for Service Providers

08:01: The Biggest Mistake in Social Media Strategy

08:56: Holistic Approach to Social Media Success

11:56: Person-First Marketing Philosophy

20:55: The Funnel Strategy for Social Media

35:02: Setting Boundaries for Sharing Personal Life

37:46: Pushing Comfort Zones in Social Media

43:44: Balancing Digital Wellness

49:59: Social Media Best Practices to Ignore

51:59: Social Sweet Spot Program

Links:

The Design Minimind

• Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*

*These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

*Pre-order Octavo on Amazon*

Episode Description:

In this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with one of my design icons, Marty Neumeier, who is an accomplished designer and author. We chat about his new design-thriller book, The Scarlett Files/Octavo, his shift from non-fiction to fiction, and how he integrates design and writing within his work. Marty also shares how his early experiences shaped his career and why storytelling plays such an essential role in branding, design, and his writing.

Guest Name: Marty Neumeier

Guest Website: martyneumeier.com

Octavo Book: Pre-order on Amazon

Substacks

• The Scarlett Files: martyneumeier.substack.com
• Level C: levelc.substack.com

00:00: Intro & Minimind Wins From Past Students

07:55: Marty's Journey in Design and Writing

10:50: The Scarlet Files on Substack

11:19: The Origins of Graphic Design

12:58: Leonardo da Vinci's Influence

16:33: Challenges of Writing Fiction

18:49: The Intersection of Branding and Storytelling

26:20: Marketing Strategies for Authors

40:44: The Renaissance and Modern Story

43:36: The Aldine Press and Its Innovations

48:00: The Importance of Mentorship

52:31: Level C: Master Classes for Professionals

57:10: The Role of Testing in Design

Links:

The Design Minimind

• Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*

*These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

*Submit your Spooky Client Stories* 👻 🕸️

This week, I chat (Q&A style) with Julia Bocchese who is an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) expert, to discuss SEO strategies tailored specifically for web designers. We talk about the challenges and misconceptions around SEO, including client communication, expectations, and the technical nuances of ensuring sites rank well on Google. Key topics covered include the importance of user experience, site speed, mobile design, image optimization, and the role of tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics. The episode also addresses a bit about AI optimization as well.

Guest Name: Julia Bocchese

Guest Website: juliareneeconsulting.com

Guest IG: @juliareneeconsulting

SEO Tips for website designers: Read Blog

Collaborations & Partnerships: Learn More

Setting up Google Search Console: Watch Video

00:00: Intro, Minimind Reviews, & Spooky Client Stories
05:40: Understanding SEO for Web Designers
06:37: Client Communication and SEO Expectations
07:43: SEO Challenges for Designers
09:33: User Experience
10:35: Site Speed Optimization Tips
13:17: Mobile Design
18:26: Accessibility
22:33: Website Launch and SEO Considerations
26:54: Google Search Console and Analytics Setup
28:16: Connecting Google Search Console to Your Website
33:34: SEO Myths and Misconceptions
37:15: Blogging and AI Optimization for SEO
41:27: Ways to Work with Julia

Links:

The Design Minimind

• Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*

*Some are affiliate links*

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer p

In this episode, I chat with Kayla Batista, owner of Brand Barista, all about her journey in the design industry and the unique dynamics of being a white label designer. Kayla shares her background, her transition from one-on-one client work to specializing in white label design, and the flexibility it brings, especially during challenging times. We delve into her business model, the nuances of pricing and process, and how to establish effective and respectful relationships between agency owners and white label designers. Kayla also talks about her course, 'The White Label Way,' and her upcoming Discord community, offering resources and support for designers interested in white label work. Whether you're looking to understand white label design or considering it as an income stream, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Guest Name: Kayla Batista

Guest Website: brandbarista.co

Guest IG: @brandbarista

Guest Course: The White Label Way

00:00: Intro & Minimind Resource Library

03:00: Mini interview with my 5 yr old son Ryder

04:49: Kayla's Design Journey

06:44: Starting a Business Amidst Challenges

08:39: The Shift to White Label Design

09:25: Balancing Work and Personal Life

12:51: What is White Label Design?

28:58: Pricing Strategies for White Label Work

30:01: Custom Proposals and Client Communication

35:37: Building Long-Term Client Relationships

39:26: Company Culture and Team Respect

39:55: Kayla’s Course Info & Discord Community

Links:

The Design Minimind

• Sign up to be notified - Applications for cohort 5 opens Nov 1st, 2025

Download my FREE Creative Direction Figma Template (includes 4 audio trainings as well)

Get 30% off of your HoneyBook subscription - The CRM I use in my studio.*

Enjoy 1 month of Showit FREE with my code “HelloJune” when you sign up.*

Earn $100 after you run your first payroll with Gusto, my payroll and compliance software.*

Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk, my email marketing software.*

*These are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission.

Connect With Us:

Our Free Facebook Community

Our Website

Podcast Instagram

Hello June Creative Instagram

The Design Minimind

Join The Creative Diaries (my email list)

Tags: designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design