My Experience with Design Biz Academy: What I’ve Learned So Far...

A year ago, I stumbled upon The Brief Collective while exploring my way back into graphic design. I found Kenzie’s podcast, The Unapologetic Designer Podcast, and it completely shifted my perspective on what was possible as a graphic designer. After binge-listening during work hours and diving into their free webinars and branding challenges, I realized they weren’t just about design – they were teaching designers how to attract high-ticket clients and build sustainable businesses.

At first, the investment for their Design Biz Academy (DBA) felt intimidating. I wanted to make sure these coaches – Kenzie and Marisa – were the real deal and that I had what it took to commit to the three-month course. Over the next year, I learned a lot about them, completed passion projects, and grew as a designer, but life kept throwing curveballs: new job, family losses, getting engaged, and buying a house. It seemed like every time I thought I was ready to enroll, something held me back.

When my Great Aunt fell ill, I forgot to finish my DBA application altogether. But Kenzie’s thoughtful follow-up on Instagram reminded me that investing in myself was still on the table. Life was still uncertain, but thanks to a custom payment plan they offered, I took the leap – and I’m so grateful I did.

Now that I’ve submitted my Module 3 homework, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the first two modules, The Basics and Design & Strategy, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

The Basics of Killer Creative

The first module, The Basics, focused on building the foundation of our businesses. We crafted our own Mission, Vision, and Values – something that’s so easy to do for clients but takes a whole new level of self-awareness when doing it for yourself. We also explored the importance of niching down and defining our client avatars. As designers, we can work with anyone, but the real magic happens when we narrow in on who we want to work with.

I thought this homework assignment would be a breeze. And honestly, I did well! My coach, Marisa, gave me great feedback, saying things like:

• “This feels solid and has a clear focus, but I’d love to see a little more personality here.”

• “These are bold, but make sure they don’t sound too generic. What unique twist can you put on them?”

• “I like this, but it’s not quite hitting the mark for me. Think about how you can be a little more specific about who you're helping and how you do it.”

This feedback lit a fire in me. It made me realize I needed to get even clearer on my target audience. Originally, I was thinking of bakeries, boutiques, and edgy streetwear stores – which sounded great on paper. But with Marisa’s guidance, I found a target audience that feels way more aligned with who I am and how I want to show up as a designer.

The Design & Strategy of Killer Creative

The second module, Design & Strategy, was all about building brand guidelines for businesses. Easy, right? Well, I thought so too – and I was both right and wrong. I felt good about my visual identity: my logo, colors, and patterns were solid. Sure, there were a few tweaks I wanted to make, but my real focus was getting the strategy and messaging nailed down. That’s where I wanted to pour my energy.

When Marisa gave me her feedback, I knew she was spot on – but I wasn’t sure how to fix it. So, I rewrote what I could, made some adjustments, and let it sit for a bit. Then I circled back to my brand icon, which I had slapped together at the start of Killer Creative “just to have something.” It wasn’t until I read Allen Peters’ book that I realized how important brand marks really are. I spent an entire week figuring out how to merge a heart, a flame, and a lightning bolt into one cohesive mark that truly represented my brand.

That’s when it clicked. I had been creating content with my target audience in mind, but it felt forced – like I was trying too hard. I kept thinking, “This shouldn’t be this hard.” I mean, if these were my dream clients, I should know exactly how to speak to them, right?

Then it hit me.

I’ve spent my whole life dabbling in photography, running YouTube channels, starting podcasts, writing blogs, and I was even a paid influencer at one point. And to be honest, I was good at all of them. But I always felt like I was boxing myself in – like every time I pursued one thing, I was cutting off the rest of who I was. But what if I wasn’t meant to stay in one lane? What if all those experiences were preparing me to help others build their businesses in those spaces?

When I finally turned in my Brand Guidelines, Marisa gave me even more feedback that hit deep. She said,

That was a lightbulb moment for me. I had spent so much of my life believing that to be seen as smart or successful, I needed to be bold and loud. But I’m naturally quiet and observant. I’m an acute listener, the kind of person people come to just to talk through their thoughts and feel heard. I always thought of that as a weakness – something that didn’t fit into the bold brand I was trying to create.

But Marisa’s feedback reminded me that this—this calm, grounded presence—isn’t a weakness. It’s part of what makes me valuable. And it needs to shine through in my brand just as much as the bold, creative side.

Streamlining The Killer Process

The most recent module had us create a client process and pricing sheet—a crucial step in refining how we work and communicate our value. I just submitted mine, and I can’t wait to hear Marisa’s feedback. Whenever I receive her insights, it feels like another breakthrough moment, pushing me to think deeper about how I position my services and structure my client experience. I know this feedback will help me continue to evolve and fine-tune my business for the clients I’m most passionate about serving. I’m excited to see what’s next for my experience with Design Biz Academy.