You’re doing all the things in your design business—designing, managing clients, handling marketing, and everything else on your plate—but the more you take on, the harder it is to actually scale. You know something has to change, but letting go of control feels risky. In this episode, I’m giving you a sneak peek into what you’ll learn in the Designer to Agency Bootcamp. We’ll talk about what it takes to shift from being a solo designer to running a thriving agency, the systems and strategies you need to set up, and how to prepare yourself for making that transition. If you’re tired of doing it all yourself and are ready to finally step into your CEO role, this episode is for you.

 

Designer to Agency Bootcamp: https://aventiveacademy.com/designer-to-agency-bootcamp/

 

Listen to the episode here:

Spotify  –  Apple Podcasts  –  Amazon Music

 

You will learn:

• The biggest mindset blocks that keep designers stuck at a solo level.
• Why positioning your services is key for attracting premium clients as an agency.
• Practical steps to prepare for hiring and expanding your team.
• Marketing strategies that align with an agency business model.
• Systems you can implement now to streamline your processes.

Grab your coffee, your notes, and get ready to rethink how you run your design business!

 

Designer to Agency Bootcamp: https://aventiveacademy.com/designer-to-agency-bootcamp/

 

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TRANSCRIPT:

0:00
Stop running your design business like a freelancer.

It’s time to step back and implement our Solopreneur to Agency system so your design business doesn’t need you 24/7 anymore.

And just to be clear, you don’t need employees or an office to scale into a creative agency.

0:22
You just need a step-by-step formula that helps you make $20k+ months, and that is what I’m going to help you do.

In this three-day live and recorded bootcamp, I will show you how to step into the next phase of your business as a creative CEO.

1:58
Over 1200 brand and graphic designers joined my Designer to Agency Bootcamp, and they’ve gotten some amazing results such as getting high-paying clients.

One designer got a $10k client.

One designer got a $25,000 client.

2:16
It was a branding and web project, and then they gained confidence, raised their rates, and were able to start hiring, outsourcing, and really growing into an agency, and they loved it.

Some designers even ask me, “Are you going to run it again?”

2:34
They want to attend it again.

And we were not sure if we were going to do it this year, but so many people asked for it.

So yes, we are running the Designer to Agency Bootcamp again, September 10th, 11th, and 12th.

And if you want to learn more about it, you can just click on the link below this podcast episode or visit aventiveacademy.com/designer-to-agency-bootcamp.

3:05
So, Designer to Agency Bootcamp. And before I give you all the details about this amazing bootcamp, let’s talk about how you’ve been running your design business so far.

So you’ve been running your design business for a while now, right?

3:23
You’re doing well, but you’re also doing everything: designing, client management, invoicing, marketing, and the list goes on and on.

You’re the one posting on social media, you’re responding to all the emails, you’re doing sales calls, you’re designing the logos, you’re selecting the colors, you’re writing copy for your own website, and you’re improving your portfolio.

3:44
Maybe you even go to networking events and connect with people on LinkedIn.

And you’re doing all the things, you’re wearing all the hats, and it’s starting to wear you out.

You’re at that point where you know you can’t keep going like this if you want to scale and grow.

4:01
You’ve heard about outsourcing, maybe even hiring, but the thought of letting go of control makes you anxious.

Does this sound familiar?

This is where the Designer to Agency Bootcamp comes in.

The bootcamp is specifically designed for people like you: graphic, brand, and web designers who are ready to transition from a solo business owner to an agency owner.

4:26
If you’re tired of juggling multiple roles and you want to step into the role of a CEO, this is the program that will get you there.

This is a three-day live and recorded bootcamp for you designers who struggle with positioning, pricing, setting up your offers, marketing, and finally, growing and outsourcing.

4:53
So what exactly is the Designer to Agency Bootcamp?

Well, let’s break it down.

This bootcamp is a really comprehensive step-by-step program that takes you through the entire process of transforming your design business into a full-blown agency.

5:12
But that doesn’t mean you have to have a ton of employees, nor that you will suddenly have to manage them all and be even busier.

No, the idea is that you hire and outsource.

You get your time back and can focus on the things that you truly enjoy doing in your business.

5:30
And if you hate doing taxes, marketing, sales, or adjusting your website—or whatever it is—you would outsource those parts just like I do.

I am not a blogger, but I have a blogger who has been working for me since 2019, I think.

5:51
He writes blog posts for me, and then I post them.

Actually, my manager posts them on our website.

That is how I get a lot of clients, and I would hate doing both of those tasks.

I am not a blogger.

6:07
I’m not an expert in that, and that’s why I pay an expert.

I have a web developer.

I don’t like coding, so I have a web developer.

I even have a website designer because I am not into website design either.

I mean, it’s fine.

But when I’m working on a project, when my branding and design agency works on a project, it’s usually six of us working on one project, sometimes less.

6:33
And I’m the one that does the sales calls because I love them.

I like going to networking events, and I do like working on brand strategy.

Then I have a brand designer who works on logos, colors, typography, images, all of that. We also have a packaging designer, a graphic designer,

6:52
a website designer, a website developer, and a website copywriter.

Then I have a blogger and someone who does my ads.

And, you know, I have my coach.

I have this full support of people so that I can run a successful, profitable, and simple design agency in the way that I want.

7:12
And you’ve probably heard that I take two months off every single year to travel around Europe.

I live in Austin, TX, but we do travel very, very often.

We go to Europe, where I’m originally from, to Serbia so we can visit my family.

7:30
Then I have friends all over the world.

Last year—or rather, this year—we went to Malta.

We were not planning on going to Malta.

And if I had a nine-to-five job or if I was a freelancer, I don’t think I would be able to do something like that.

7:48
I was able to go to Malta.

That trip wasn’t even planned, but I was able to do it.

And I was able not to work there at all because my team was able to handle everything.

And that’s what you can do too when you have a team.

8:04
So if you’re still thinking like, “Oh, I’m a solo designer. I love doing this and that,” and that’s fine.

But do you love responding to every single email?

Do you love doing your taxes?

Do you love researching hashtags?

I mean, there are so many things that I know you don’t like.

8:22
So that’s why you should look into ways to outsource and hire people.

And the way you start is by increasing your rates and finding high-paying clients so that you can get more of those high-paying clients and make more money.

8:38
Then you can look into outsourcing and hiring.

And maybe you would start by hiring a virtual assistant or something like that.

But let’s quickly go back to the bootcamp because the bootcamp is really a step-by-step program that will help you grow and transition from being a solo freelance designer to running your own agency.

9:02
I’m walking you through every single step that I also took because I was a freelance graphic designer on Craigslist charging $65 for a logo design to now booking $20k projects that I love working on—and you can get there too.

9:20
Besides me helping you position your business as the best possible option for your ideal client so that you can start booking those five-figure clients, we’re also going to work on building your team, setting up efficient systems, and really creating a business model that doesn’t rely on you being involved in every single task.

9:45
Imagine being able to focus on the aspects of your business that you love, whether it’s the creative process, strategy, or client relationships, while knowing that everything else is being handled by a team you trust.

10:02
Now you might be thinking, “But Kady, I’m just a designer. I’m just a freelancer. I’m not sure if I’m ready to be an agency owner.”

I get it.

That’s how I felt too.

The shift from being a designer to becoming a business owner—let alone an agency owner—can feel intimidating.

10:21
I understand.

But that’s exactly why this bootcamp exists.

It’s designed to guide you through each stage of the process so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

On Wednesday, September 10th, at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time, we are going to talk all about positioning.

10:43
And it’s not just about, “Oh, you need to choose your niche.”

Like, yes, if you have a niche, that’s amazing.

If not, let’s figure out how you can position your business as the best possible option for your ideal client and then how you can put that business in front of your ideal client so that they can find you and book you.

11:05
So we are talking all about positioning.

It’s going to be amazing.

I’ll help you position your services in a way that reflects the value your design agency provides.

And then, I’m also going to help you with pricing.

11:22
This isn’t about doubling your rates overnight.

It’s about creating a pricing structure that supports the growth of your agency and the quality of work you’re known for.

I will help you set up a signature $10k+ offer because you cannot charge $2,000, $3,000, or even $5,000 for visual identity work anymore.

11:45
No, you’re an agency.

You’re now charging $10,000 or more, and I’m going to help you get there.

I promise you that. I will explain how to price it, what exactly to offer, and I will even tell you where to find clients.

12:01
It’s going to be amazing, trust me.

And as I mentioned, over 1200 designers have gone through the program already, and you will not regret it.

Plus, it’s just $7.00.

I mean, even if you think it’s something small, come on—you can invest $7.00 to at least check out what it’s all about.

12:22
I will help you with pricing and positioning.

So on Wednesday, we’re talking all about positioning.

On Thursday, we’re setting your signature offer that’s at least $10,000.

And again, I’ll tell you exactly what to put in it.

12:39
On Friday, we’re talking all about marketing.

I am going to walk you through it.

I even created a quiz because different people need different types of marketing.

12:55
For example, maybe you’ve heard that some designers are getting a lot of clients on Instagram, some other designers are getting a lot of clients through networking events.

And then, some other designers are using Pinterest, some are on LinkedIn—you know, it all works.

13:11
It’s just that we have to figure out what is going to work for you.

Because if you’re an introvert, I’m not going to force you to go to a networking event.

And if you’re an extrovert, blogging is probably going to be your nightmare.

So we are going to figure out what marketing strategy is the best for you.

13:30
And then, we’re going to also look into who your ideal client is and what is going to attract them.

And then we’re going to find some overlaps.

So that’s on the last day.

But to be honest, that’s not going to take longer than 15-20 minutes because I don’t like to waste anyone’s time.

13:48
This is really straight to the point.

I’m going to walk you through the quiz.

You’re going to figure it out, and you will know exactly how to promote your design services in the best possible way.

Then we’re going to focus on outsourcing, hiring, expanding, and really finding the right people for your agency.

14:11
This is about more than just finding someone with the right skills.

It’s about building a team that shares your vision and can deliver the level of quality your clients expect.

It’s going to be amazing.

I hope you join us.

14:26
And beyond the practical steps, we’ll also dig into the mindset shifts that are essential for making this transition.

You will learn how to think like a CEO, how to make decisions that align with your long-term vision, and how to let go of the tasks that are holding you back from scaling your business.

14:48
One of the biggest benefits of joining the Designer to Agency Bootcamp is that you’ll be part of a community of like-minded designers who are on the same journey.

You will be able to communicate with them during the live sessions in the chat.

And I remember how much designers who have completed previous bootcamps loved that.

15:12
So you’re going to see all these people on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, every single day at 10:50 AM.

Then after 11:00 AM, I will still stay 20-30 minutes to answer any questions that you have.

So basically, it’s going to be an hour session plus Q&A.

15:31
You’ll have access to support, feedback, and accountability as you implement the strategies you’ll learn.

I might even connect you all in a separate chat so that you can stay connected throughout the year and see how you can help each other.

15:52
Now let’s talk about the outcomes of the Designer to Agency Bootcamp.

So what can you expect after going through the bootcamp?

Well, imagine this: you have a team that you trust to deliver high-quality work.

Your systems are in place, you know exactly what you offer, and you know who you want to offer it to.

16:14
You know exactly who your ideal dream design client is.

Maybe even now you’re like, “Well, I’m in this industry or that industry, and this is who I want to work with.”

OK.

But let’s focus on what they want to hear so that you don’t have to keep selling over and over again.

16:34
What I mean by that is, you may have heard me talk about how your clients don’t want the deliverables—they care about the end results. It’s not a logo design, website, colors, or any of that—they are looking to make more sales if they’re a product-based business, or get more clients or customers if they’re a service-based business.

16:58
So I’m going to teach you how to sell, how to talk about your services.

I will really help you get more and better clients so that you can start making more money and make your business more profitable, so you can outsource the things that you don’t want to do in your business.

17:17
Simple, right?

Seats are limited, so register as soon as possible.

I know that you will get a lot out of it.

The link is below in the description, or visit aventiveacademy.com.

Designer to Agency Bootcamp is not just about growing your business.

17:43
It’s about creating a business that works for you rather than the other way around.

It’s about stepping into the role of a CEO and building an agency that aligns with your vision, your values, and your lifestyle, which is the most important thing.

17:59
You know, you started your business because you wanted to be a freelancer.

You wanted that flexibility, time freedom, and financial freedom.

Now think about it.

Do you really have it?

If not, then the Designer to Agency Bootcamp is the answer.

18:19
I know I can help you, trust me.

It’s just $27.00, and I really, really hope to see you there.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram at @aventiveacademy.

And if you are ready to stop spinning your wheels and start scaling your design agency, then sign up ASAP.

18:44
Again, the link is below in the description.

Thanks for tuning in to The Profitable Graphic Designer Podcast. But wait, before you go, if you enjoyed this podcast episode and want a chance to access one of our online courses for free, simply leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

19:02
Each month, one lucky reviewer gets to pick a course as a token of our appreciation.

Here’s a reminder: We are here to help you build the design business of your dreams.

Whether it’s creating compelling proposals, attracting $10k clients, pricing your design services, improving your portfolio, reaching six figures and beyond, or helping you stand out.

19:26
We’ve got you covered.

I invite you to join over 1,000 designers in my signature 12-week program, The Profitable Designer.

Visit aventiveacademy.com/profit and also don’t forget to hit that subscribe button.

That way, you’ll be the first to know when each new episode drops, so you never miss out on future content.

19:48
Until next time, be sure to connect with us on Instagram at @aventiveacademy, where we share valuable business tips, stories, and resources for brand, graphic, and web design business owners.

Bye for now.

Your host, Kady Sandel.