5 lessons about scope, time, and budget

If you’ve visited me on Instagram you probably know that I just completed yet another home renovation. And with all the recent projects and my renewed love for interior design as well as graphic, it’s got me thinking about the ways that the various areas of design overlap. I’ve distilled them down to a core set of lessons, most of… »

Taking a client to small claims court

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen my post about taking a client to small claims court. The case is closed, so now I can share all the gory details with you. Make sure to pay close attention to the warnings where I demonstrate where and how I fucked up and what you should definitely NOT do… »

Learning how to talk about your brand

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, your brand is not your logo. It’s an experience. There are a lot of elements that make up your brand, that when working together, help define it. Among them is your messaging; your words. Learning how to talk about your brand, in a way that your customers understand, is important. Words… »

Sharing work without sharing a space

this post was written by myself + my work wife, Alison, of Tiny Blue Orange and was originally published on the Creative Class. Please note: this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. However, I only promote products and services I’ve tested and wholeheartedly believe in!  How to collaborate with… »

Don’t make your problems your customers’ problems

We all have problems. As your reading this, it’s likely you’re dealing with something right now. Maybe it’s big, maybe it’s small; we all have them. Have you ever worked with someone or purchased something from somebody who told you their problems without your asking? Did you ever take pause and wonder why they were telling you? Did you ever find yourself getting… »

Why running out of fucks is a good thing

I ran out of fucks recently and while at first I thought it would be temporary, I quite like living without them. Social media may lead you to believe that running out of fucks makes you insensitive. I disagree. Although usually presented in a funny way, social media gives the impression that those who have run out of fucks are… »

Surprise and delight your customers

Chances are, if you’re a service based professional, you’re looking for ways to surprise and delight your customers; little things you can do to enhance their experience. It’s not an easy task and much like the blogs you read, it’s likely been done before. What hasn’t been done before is the way YOU do it.  It’s not enough these days… »

What deficiencies does your brand scorecard reveal?

If you follow me on Instagram, you may know that Mr. Little and I are doing some remodeling. We’re making over our master bathroom, which has meant that I’ve been on the customer/purchasing side of things over the last few weeks, rather than the business or service provider side. From interviewing contractors to purchasing plumbing fittings and finishing materials, I’ve dealt with… »