Back in 2013, two things happened: I got laid off from a graphic design job, and I quit being a graphic designer.
The two were definitely related. I’d spent a decade working as a designer, but when my job abruptly ended, I decided that was it. I was done being a graphic designer. I didn’t like the stress, I wasn’t a “rockstar” designer and on and on. But before you jump to “that was such an impulsive decision,” let me tell you a few reasons why:
The year leading up to the layoff had been extremely toxic (my immediate team wholeheartedly excluded).
The level of criticism and stress caused me to completely burn out.
I read Design is a Job by Mike Monteiro.
I still loved design. And designers. And clients. And proposals. And…the business of design. Then I had an epiphany: I could still pursue my passion for design...but not as a graphic designer.
The next decade was spent diving headfirst into the business of design: processes, systems, cash flow, sales, business development, account management, and more. Design was (and is) still at the core of what I love, but it evolved. Each year brought new challenges that could be solved with design thinking — and I realized this was where I wanted to be.
Fast forward to this year, and I now have the immense privilege of working with owners who are at various crossroads in their own journey. Primarily with design and marketing firms — but the principles carry over. Because design shows up in so many facets of how we build and run a business.
I tell you this story because change is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t always have to entail a hard turn or an about-face. You can step away from a title without losing the heart of what you love. You started your studio to have freedom, so don’t let it trap you.
👋 I’m Clint. I help your right-hand person step into confident decision-making, freeing up space for you to focus on your agency.