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

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.

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. 

When starting a business, it’s easy to think, “I can do this myself,” if you don’t have the resources to invest in outside support. I’ve had several clients try to be financially prudent by hiring a designer through a freelancer platform like 99designs. Now, I’m not knocking on these platforms. However, it can be overwhelming if you don’t know how to get what you need from the designers or how to art direct them. That’s where I come in…

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. 

It’s a great feeling when a client wants to work with you again, whether for a spin-off from their original company or a new business entirely. You already have an established relationship from the first project. You have a collaborative back-and-forth that flows seamlessly (well, hopefully). In honor of these special working relationships and National Women’s Small Business Month, I want to spotlight three women-owned businesses that are repeat clients.

Revisiting an old project always makes for a uniquely introspective experience. There’s the knee-jerk human reaction to shrink away and judge yourself for the work you did years ago, especially when comparing it to where you are now. Of course, there’s also the glass-half-full approach: look at how far you’ve come. Look at that growth.

Has anything truly reframed how we travel in recent years like Airbnb? The vacation rental company has been a popular alternative to hotels (usually cheaper ones, at that) for 14 years now, and it doesn’t intend to slow down soon. Of course, as with practically every industry, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the company’s revenue, especially with travel taking a nosedive during its height.