1) Not spell-checking client copy A lot of times clients send the wording, and it’s tempting to just copy and paste and keep it moving. I did that… and it came right back with revisions because of typos and errors. So my Fix: Always run a quick spell check, even if the client wrote it. 2) Forgetting bleed for print I used to design edge-to-edge without leaving room for print trimming, so important details would get cut off. So my Fix: Add bleed (extra space around the edges) so nothing gets chopped. 3) Making a “white logo” by just inverting the black one I’d flip a black logo to white and call it a day… but that doesn’t always translate well depending on the logo. So my Fix: Build a proper white version when needed (not just an invert). 4) Presenting logos only on a white background In the real world, logos live on hats, shirts, brochures, signs, buildings, you name it. If you only show it on a white background, clients can’t “see” how it’s supposed to live. So my Fix: Use mockups and real-world placements so the client gets it instantly. 5) Sending only one file type I’ve seen designers charge extra for file formats, but I don’t rock with sending a client one file they can’t really use across everything they need. Fix: Send the full set of usable variations and formats. These 5 mistakes helped me grow into a better designer over time, and I’m still improving. Now I want to ask you: what’s a mistake you made as a designer (or business owner) that taught you a lesson? Drop it below.

I understand the AI fear, but I’m not letting that stop me from thriving!!!! #ai #designer #creative

With the new year, we often get new motivation and a revitalized sense of self and direction. I remind myself and anyone here to push past the motivation, because it will go away. Motivation is a fleeting feeling, and on the other side of that is discipline. So, a reminder to myself and anyone else who needs to hear it, let's remain disciplined this year. We got this!

Like a lot of people, I’ve learned to rely on AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) for guidance in my business. But recently, I realized I fell victim to a trap: I was using them to entertain myself instead of actually applying the advice. So, I decided to stop asking for "tips" and asked for a personal and business audit I asked Chat to: “Provide an honest assessment of my recurring misunderstandings and identify suggested actions that remain unimplemented, based on the totality of previous threads and conversations.” I wanted to see where I was getting in my own way. Here were the top results. Not all because there was a lot more, but these were the ones that stood out.: 1. On Pricing: “You partly see value pricing as a communication trick rather than a business rule set. Until it becomes a rule... you’ll keep emotionally negotiating against yourself.” 2. On Focus: “You conceptually know you need a core offer, but you haven’t fully internalized that everything either ladders into that offer or is disqualified. Without that constraint, your day keeps getting filled by custom, low-leverage work.” 3. On Action: “There is still an expectation that better wording or a smarter automation will fix lead flow... Scripts are tools, not the engine. The engine is you sending enough of them.” It’s not easy seeing exactly how you’ve been in your own way, but I’m glad I asked. I realized I had fallen into my old habit of learning without implementing. I’ve read Alex Hormozi’s books enough times that I should be a millionaire by now. But realistically, I was doing exactly what he warns against: getting the knowledge but not doing anything with it. I’m curious, what is one "bottleneck" or hard truth you’ve discovered on your creative business journey recently?