It was the spring of 2014 and I had only been out of my design program for a year. In that time I had moved to a new city (Dallas) full of new friends, and promptly started my first agency job… which I hated. It was Instagram’s heyday and as I sat at my desk and tried to find joy in my first professional design job, I spent most of my down time scrolling and wishing I could freelance like my idols—bloggers like Bri Emery and Amanda Jane Jones.
In a burst of naïveté, I quit my job and decided to figure out the freelance thing. How hard could it be? It turns out—very. That first year I barely scraped by, but was too proud to admit it. I didn’t know what to charge, how to find clients, how to bounce back from negative feedback or properly market my new business. I was working more hours than I ever did at the agency and coming painfully close to burning out.
I hired my first business coach the following in the fall and slowly things started falling into place. I found clients who surprisingly paid me properly for my time. I found systems that helped me get organized. I found the right communities to invest in. By 2015 I was traveling all over the world doing the exact work I had always dreamed of—designing for companies I actually cared about, seeing the far-off corners of the globe, and somehow finding a way to afford it.
Since those early years, I’ve scaled up and scaled down, switched gears and experimented more times than I can count. But one thing I have never veered from is wise counsel. I have worked with many business coaches who have led me through opportunities and setbacks with grace and held me accountable to my dreams. It can feel lonely working for yourself and calling the shots—and having someone in your corner makes navigating business ownership a little less scary and overwhelming.
The Secret to a Successful Business is the Company You Keep
I can assure you…
Sincerely, Kadie
Working with Kadie has given me a clarity I haven’t had since staring out on my own 10 years ago!
I did not realize how much I really needed it. I was truly going it alone as a solo creative entrepreneur and with no one to talk to about my business, I was spinning my wheels a lot. I have taken hundreds of online courses and I have gone to many in-person workshops but nothing beats the one-on-one coaching relationship tailored specifically to my individual needs.
- KATIE ROSENBRAUGH
TAILORED creative BUSINESS MENTORSHIP
3 month minimum
A PERSONAL, ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM WITH KADIE
Our coaching philosophy is to dig deep into the structure of how your business works. We'll explore what brings you joy and what keeps you up at night, so we can find the exact recipe to build your dream studio. Then, we'll create a roadmap to achieving your goals, holding you accountable to the things you’ve set out to do, and celebrating milestones.
APPLY NOW
NOW OFFERING
POST-CALL FOLLOW UP NOTES
WEEKLY 1:1 COACHING SESSIONS
ACCESS TO ALL PROGRAMS WHILE COACHING (EXCLUDING MASTERMINDS)
VOXER ACCESS FOR SUPPORT AND Q+A
IT FEELS
surreal!
I want to say a huge THANK YOU for all that you taught us in our sessions. We saw so many of the things we discussed change + grow our business
and for that we are so thankful!!
- EDEN BLACKBURN, BLACKBOLT
An
Mentorship Program
THE EXPERIENCE
Through a mix of self-reflection, evaluation, testing, and goal setting, you’ll create a specific, tailored roadmap based on your unique skills and aspirations to create the studio of your dreams — on your own terms. Here’s how:
Individual, Guided
REFLECTION
Our initial discovery process starts with you. You’ll be guided through a series of self-reflection questions as we take a look at the state of your business and where you want to go. You’ll evaluate your strengths and unique skills, examine the customers and clients that bring you joy, and take honest inventory on where you can improve and the parts of your business where you really shine.
STRATEGY
Based on our findings, we’ll create a roadmap specifically tailored to your unique personality and business that outlines how to take small steps towards meaningful growth. We’ll create checkpoints to evaluate what’s working or not, and course correct as needed to make sure we keep the ultimate vision in sight.
ACCOUNTABILITY
You’ll receive weekly accountability and check-ins as we work towards your goals and have access to the best resources and tools for reaching your objectives with grace and ease. You’ll also find support within our coaching community as you build not only the business of your dreams, but lifelong relationships along the way.
JUST THINK FOR A SECOND,
how would it feel?
Spend less time comparing yourself to everyone else, and more time confidently sharing your business.
Experience long-term growth among like-minded entrepreneurs cheering you on.
Increase impact and influence within your business and larger community.
Find both the energy to do the work and the space to rest, without sacrificing quality of work or life.
Understand what sets you apart instead of throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.
Learn where you can infuse your own personality into all areas of your brand and business.
Navigate the hurdles and opportunities of entrepreneurship with a mentor right by your side.
Feel like you have the experience, confidence, and clarity to reach your highest potential, finally.
In 2014, I started my studio out of a desire to support my friends
in the creative industry, the artists who had talent and potential
that was hidden from the world.
MEET YOUR COACH
But I didn’t have any business experience, and had to learn much about starting a design studio by trial and error.
If you’re feeling stretched thin and overwhelmed, or you just need an unbiased third-party perspective, working with a coach as you build your business will help you keep putting one foot in front of the other. You’ll feel held accountable, find clarity, and discover ease on the path towards entrepreneurship.
KADIE SMITH
I’m an art director, a brand
storyteller, a traveling designer —
but also a business owner.
IN 2014, I STARTED MY STUDIO OUT OF A DESIRE TO SUPPORT MY FRIENDS
IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY, THE ARTISTS WHO HAD TALENT AND POTENTIAL
THAT WAS HIDDEN FROM THE WORLD.
I know what it feels like to enter a saturated creative market, try to launch a digital business, navigate the ebbs and flows of freelancer income, and even start to make passive products. I’ve scaled and simplified, added team members and learned about leadership. I’ve grown as a designer since starting the studio, but I’ve mostly grown as a business owner.
Sincerely, Kadie
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Let’s Make This
YOUR Year
In order to give each client our undivided and full attention, we take on a very limited number of clients each season. To make sure that we’re a mutual fit and you will receive the most value from this program, we’d love to know more about your unique business and aspirations. Please complete our brief application and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible with our availability and next steps.
IF YOU'RE READY...
APPLY NOW
THE STUDIO
SETUP GUIDE
A CHECKLIST FOR LEGITIMIZING YOUR BUSINESS
Design may come easy, but the business of freelance is not. Here’s your comprehensive checklist for building a strong foundation for your burgeoning design business. In this guide we’ll cover the five main pillars of your business - from the legalities to marketing, your business plan as well as the vision for your brand. You got this.
The Edit
Explore The Edit - our collective list of tools, programs, products, travel finds, and resources to guide you on the path towards entrepreneurship, with our signature dose of style & adventure. We’ve tried it all so you don’t have to — this edited list is curated especially for you.
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VINTAGE ROUNDUP
The Sunday Edition is a weekly digital newspaper and an invitation to slow down, find inspiration, and learn something new about entrepreneurship, branding, and productivity. Pour your favorite beverage, settle in, and read the latest in design + [small] business.
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The Sunday Edition is the kind of inspirational content I want to ingest, It’s a way to begin the week with some positivity and motivation. It ignites my drive to continue my work and strive for results.
- ALISA
