I've been watching Lululemon's struggles lately, and honestly? It's a masterclass in what happens when a brand loses its way.

Failure and I have become close friends over the years. Not by choice, mind you—but because every entrepreneur's journey is paved with projects that didn't work, strategies that flopped, and moments when you question everything.

Here's what those failures taught me, and how they've actually made my business stronger…

After years of client calls, I've learned something counterintuitive: the best sales calls are the ones that don't feel like sales calls. They feel like conversations between two people who want to work together.

Working from home has revolutionized the way businesses are conducted. No commute, flexible schedules, and the comfort of your own space—what's not to love? But after years of Zoom calls and Slack messages, I've realized something crucial: nothing replaces the power of face-to-face connection.

The outcome might be identical, but the journey to get there? That's where the magic—or the damage happens.

As a brand designer, one of the most valuable skills I've developed isn't design-related – it's identifying the right clients before we even begin working together. While portfolios and processes are crucial, the success of any design project often hinges on something less tangible: the client relationship.

As brand designers, our past projects are more than just portfolio pieces – stories waiting to be told. Each case study is an opportunity to showcase what we created and the journey, challenges, and triumphs that shaped the final result.

As a creative professional, I was trapped in an increasingly familiar cycle: bursts of intense productivity followed by lengthy procrastination and creative block. The wake-up call came when I realized I was thinking more about working than creating.

No two humans are the same. This is an indisputable, universal truth. The same applies to those we serve in our businesses – each client is different. 

Ads do more than persuade a prospective customer to purchase your product – they color that customer’s opinion of your business and its values. That’s why it’s crucial to consider how you market what you’re selling.

Recently, I had the privilege of reading Gay Hendricks's The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level for Anne LaFollette’s Creative Business Mastermind. Full disclosure: it’s a bit life-changing.

So much has changed in our society since the advent of smartphones and social media. They’ve irrevocably altered how we interact with those around us and with the world at large. Every industry has had to undergo a metamorphosis, especially brand marketing (and I would know a thing or two about that).

As a creative person, there’s nothing worse than feeling stuck on a project. When those artistic juices are stagnant or nonexistent, their effect can trickle over into other parts of our lives. That block is an energy sucker.

If you’re a solopreneur, chances are you drag your feet when it comes to working on your brand. You’re not getting paid to fine-tune your business, so why does it matter? So, you treat giving your business the attention it deserves as a “job” instead of the priority it should be. 

For National Entrepreneur’s Day, I’d be remiss if I didn’t spotlight one of my favorite clients (and mentors), Anne LaFollette. Anne is a creative entrepreneur who helps other creatives grow their businesses. She offers various services, from a minicourse called From Doodles to Dollars that shows creatives how to transfer their “doodles” onto products to The Pattern Design Academy, an online coaching program for aspiring Surface Pattern Designers. She even has a mentorship program for creative entrepreneurs called Anne’s Atelier. 

Sometimes, potential clients will ask me just to create a logo for them without the expectation that I’ll do their branding. For me, a logo is more than a simple graphic. Graphics are easy to create. But a logo is usually what consumers associate with a brand or business. It’s an essential part of branding.

I have a personal relationship with taking calculated risks. In fact, they’ve bled into my business as well. After studying in London for a semester in college, I felt like I could conquer the world. It was super empowering. But the next risk I took really altered the course of my life: driving cross-country from New York to San Francisco with only the stuff in my car and little money to my name.

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the Supreme Court case “303 Creative LLC v. Elenis” by now. Lorie Smith, the founder of 303 Creative and a Christian web designer, told the court that she shouldn’t have to design sites for LGBTQ+ customers because it’s against her religious beliefs. And, horribly enough, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor.

July is National Anti-Boredom Month, and July 5, specifically, is National Workaholics Day. That’s certainly an interesting collision of concepts: staving off boredom and working too much. This is the perfect time to unpack what happens when creativity doesn’t flow freely because you’re overworked. You’ve undoubtedly heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” That 100 percent applies here. You can’t produce your best work if your creative wellspring is dry. 

At heart, I’ve always been an artist, dabbling in all things related to the arts since I was a kid. I taught myself calligraphy and portraiture. Being creative was second nature to me. I had this intrinsic desire to create, but as a child and throughout my adolescence, I only thought of it as a hobby. When high school rolled around, I took art classes. My teacher told my mom I should consider an artistic career after graduation. Knowing it could be a legitimate pursuit sparked something within me.