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The first time I threw down my hard earned cash to attend a conference for design agency owners was a struggle. It wasn't just the conference fee ($1,200 over 20 years ago) but also the travel cost. I knew I had a lot to learn about running a profitable business but there was no guarantee that I would get the answers I needed at the Mind Your Own Business conference (which is still going strong). That event changed my life. I met lifelong friends who faced similar challenges and generously shared their resources. I heard speakers who had already overcome...

Marketing is tricky and anyone who tells it's easy is full of it. Just when you think you've got a program that works, some a-hole changes the algorithm or the rules and it doesn't work anymore.  We're growing businesses in a time of unprecedented competition and trying to differentiate ourselves amongst all the noise. "You have to do videos!" they say. And "Email 3 times a week!" and "Show your face!" and "Be authentic!" There's paid search, ads on social platforms, paid influencers, tradeshows and old school efforts like actually calling someone. And newsletters are back, I thought that ship...

Some people think it's delicious, like a Peach Bellini on a terrace in summer. Or a Peach Cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream on top. Pantone's Executive Director thinks it's, "A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless." Her copywriter deserves a raise. Some of us have already gone one round with Peach in the early 90s. Are we excited about it? Meh. Wedding designers have already moved into the terra cotta, mauve, and sage zone so Peach Fuzz is a natural progression. Really the big problem is the name,...

Are there really design trends anymore or is it just a total free for all now? When I started researching for this article I learned that these are this year's trends: natural woodland vibes featuring terra cotta, sage and blush; luxe moods with jewel tones and metallics; post-modern color palettes; navy blue drama; pink everything; classic/traditional (how is this a trend?); and finally, bright colors.  So basically, the moral of this story is DO WHATEVER IS AUTHENTIC TO YOU. Your very own style is what makes you special and creates a following of customers who love your creations. And creating a...

We did the homework so you don’t have to. The financial analysts are expecting pretty decent holiday sales with a slight uptick from 2022 spending. BUT stores will order less inventory this year as consumers tend to split their holiday shopping between brick and mortar and online shops. The good news is that your sales this year could be as good or better than last year. So how do you plan for holidays 2023? In a perfect world, you’re selling both to shops and online retailers. And ideally, you have your own site or Etsy store too. It requires more...