Brand Unmuted Podcast

24: Let's Talk About Burnout

What if burnout isn't just part of being an entrepreneur? What if it's actually a warning sign you're ignoring? Today we're talking about something a lot of entrepreneurs don't want to admit they're dealing with: burnout. What it actually looks like, how to recover from it, and how to build a business that doesn't keep running you into the ground. Burnout is your body's warning sign that it's time to take a break. For most people, it's mental, but it can also manifest physically — you're more prone to getting sick, your body feels run down, and you're susceptible to illness. In this episode, we're sharing our own experiences with burnout, the first signs we notice, why entrepreneurs are especially prone to pushing through when they shouldn't, and what actually helps when you're burnt out. Topics We Cover * What burnout actually is * Do entrepreneurs throw the word "burnout" around too loosely? * Is burnout always related to working too much? * First signs of burnout (brain fog, exhaustion, short patience, dreading tasks you normally enjoy) * Do business owners convince themselves it's just a busy season when they shouldn't push through? * How to deal with burnout when you experience it * Why rest shouldn't become another to-do on your list * What we've done to prepare for or prevent future burnout * How to balance showing up consistently without burning out * Being overworked is NOT a sign you've made it * It's okay to take mental health days * Plan vacations at the beginning of the year * Create strong boundaries around work days Time Stamps 04:16 – What is burnout? 06:47 – Do entrepreneurs overuse the word burnout? 07:26 – Is burnout always work-related? 08:11 – First signs of burnout 10:15 – Do business owners push through when they shouldn't? 12:09 – How to deal with burnout 16:27 – Balancing rest without making it another task 18:19 – What we've done to prevent future burnout 20:34 – How to balance showing up consistently 22:08 – Takeaways: burnout isn't a badge of honor Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co [https://risecopyco.com/]. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative [https://joannamoss.com/] — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Episodes Referenced: * Episode 8 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/08-creating-boundaries-that-protect-your-business-and/id1851731793?i=1000747852123]: Setting Boundaries * Episode 16 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/16-is-work-life-balance-actually-achievable-as-an/id1851731793?i=1000758405662]: Is Work-Life Balance Actually Achievable as an Entrepreneur? Book Mentioned: * Project Hail Mary [https://amzn.to/4e3mrk3] (Book referenced in random question section of episode)

23: Why Waiting for Perfect Keeps You Stuck

What if the thing standing between you and your next level isn't your strategy, your branding, or even your offer? What if it's the fact that you're still waiting for things to be perfect? In this episode, we're sharing our own struggles with perfectionism, why we think entrepreneurs chase perfection so much, what actually happens when you wait until something feels perfect, and how to push past perfectionism and just launch the thing already. Topics We Cover * Why entrepreneurs chase perfection * The reality of waiting until something feels perfect * Lost opportunities from perfectionism * How progress builds confidence faster than planning * The "sell it, then build it" model * How perfectionism slows down business growth * Launching something imperfectly and still succeeding * Getting past the perfectionism mindset * Why delaying your project delays your money and growth Time Stamps 06:03 – Have you ever delayed launching something? 07:31 – Why do entrepreneurs chase perfection? 10:13 – Women vs. men and perfectionism 10:45 – What happens when you wait for perfect 13:24 – Launching something and nobody noticing it wasn't perfect 15:18 – How progress builds confidence faster than planning 16:10 – What it looks like to just launch something 18:06 – Selling it before building it 18:25 – Does perfectionism slow down growth? 19:55 – Launching something imperfectly and still succeeding 22:32 – Getting past the perfectionism mindset 24:17 – Delaying your project delays your money Links & Resources Mentioned Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative [https://joannamoss.com/] — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. [https://risecopyco.com/] — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Book Mentioned: This Story May Save Your Life [https://amzn.to/43kEn3m] by Tiffany Crumb [https://amzn.to/43kEn3m] Episode Referenced: Episode 20: Does Imposter Syndrome Ever Go Away? [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-does-imposter-syndrome-ever-go-away/id1851731793?i=1000764070640] Connect With Us on Instagram! @brandunmutedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/brandunmutedpodcast/]

22: How to Create Predictable Income with Retainer Clients

If you've ever thought that retainer work wouldn't fit your business model, or that it would complicate your workflow, this episode might change your mind. We're breaking down what retainer clients actually look like in real life, how we've each structured our retainer programs differently (as a designer and copywriter), and why adding retainers might be exactly what your business has been missing. A lot of project-based service providers never even consider offering retainer work. They assume it means being on call 24/7 or that it'll throw off their existing systems. But what if it actually does the opposite? What if it creates more stability, more predictable income, and deeper relationships with clients you already love working with? In this episode, we're sharing our honest experiences with retainer clients. We're covering how we structure our programs, how we price them, how we manage boundaries, and when a retainer relationship might not be the right fit. Topics We Cover * What a retainer client actually is * How retainers differ from project-based work * Common misconceptions about retainer work * Why we started offering retainers * How retainers affect monthly scheduling * When a retainer program might not work * Setting client commitment timeframes * Managing client requests and turnaround times * Preventing "unlimited access" expectations * Pricing retainer work vs. project rates * How retainers create more stable income * What makes a retainer relationship work well Time Stamps 05:39 – What is a retainer client? 07:18 – Biggest differences between project work and retainer work 08:51 – Common misconceptions about retainers 09:31 – Why we started offering retainers 12:20 – How retainers affect monthly scheduling 13:49 – When a retainer program might not work 18:27 – Managing client requests and turnaround 22:02 – Setting boundaries with retainer clients 24:33 – Resetting expectations mid-retainer 26:54 – Why clients want to be on retainer 28:21 – Tips for clients to maximize retainer value 29:29 – Do retainers suit established or newer businesses? 30:36 – Pricing retainer work 33:05 – How retainers stabilize income 33:44 – When to sell retainer services 35:28 – Working with new clients on retainer 36:58 – Is retainer work for every business? 37:06 – What makes a retainer relationship work well Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. [https://risecopyco.com/] — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative [https://joannamoss.com/] — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Episodes Referenced: * Episode 8: Setting Boundaries [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/08-creating-boundaries-that-protect-your-business-and/id1851731793?i=1000747852123] Tools Mentioned: * Calendly [http://calendly.com] (scheduling for retainer clients) * Honeybook [https://share.honeybook.com/risecopyco] (client questionnaires and forms) * Basecamp [http://basecamp.com] (client communication) * Workflow [https://app.workflow.design/] (managing client design edits)

21: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Showit's DXP Retreat

If you've heard of Showit’s DXP retreat and ever wondered what it’s all about, or if it's worth attending, this episode is for you. Joanna just got back from her fourth DXP retreat, and she's sharing everything: what the experience is really like, what happens during those four days at the ranch in Show Low, Arizona, what makes it different from other industry events, and why she keeps going back year after year. DXP (Designer Experience) is Showit's invite-only retreat for design partners. It's part working session, part creative retreat, and part summer camp for adults, and it's one of the most valuable experiences Joanna makes time for in her business every single year. In this episode, we're covering everything you need to know about DXP, and why Joanna thinks every Showit designer should attend at least once! Topics We Cover * What Showit DXP actually is * Why Joanna attends every year * What kind of event is DXP? (Retreat, meeting, conference?) * Who's invited to attend * Walking through the full DXP experience * Day one at the Showit office * Accommodations and amenities at the ranch * What goes on during those few days at the retreat * The terrain and weather in Show Low * What the vibe is like * What stands out most when you first arrive * Joanna's biggest takeaway (mindset shifts, not tech) * Having real, honest conversations with other designers * Running new business ideas by friends at DXP * Why events like DXP are valuable for business owners * Making connections that last all year * Showit platform updates coming soon * Is DXP worth the investment? * What to know before you go (bring layers, chapstick, comfy clothes) * What Joanna wishes she'd done differently * Why you should just go (even if you don't know anyone yet) Time Stamps 02:25 – Joanna just got back from DXP 02:49 – What is Showit DXP? 03:23 – Why Joanna attends every year 03:49 – Is it work or fun? 04:44 – What kind of event is it? 05:37 – Who's invited? 06:17 – Walking through the experience 07:40 – Day one at Showit office 08:27 – What's it like in Show Low? 10:16 – Weather and terrain 12:23 – What's the vibe like? 14:31 – What was different this year? 15:16 – Joanna's biggest takeaway 19:26 – Did anything change about your business thinking? 24:37 – New Showit updates coming 28:24 – Is DXP worth the investment? 30:51 – What to know before you go 31:48 – What Joanna wishes she'd done differently 32:48 – Advice for introverts 35:48 – Final thoughts on DXP Links & Resources Mentioned Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative [https://joannamoss.com/] — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. [https://risecopyco.com/] — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Events & Programs Mentioned: * Showit DXP [https://dxp.showit.com/] (Designer Experience retreat): dxp.showit.com/ [https://dxp.showit.com/] * Showit Spark [https://spark.showit.com/] (larger conference-style event): spark.showit.com/ [https://spark.showit.com/] Tools Mentioned: * Workflow [https://www.workflow.design/] (design revision feedback and project management tool): www.workflow.design/ [https://www.workflow.design/]

20: Does Imposter Syndrome Ever Go Away?

If you've ever sent off work to a client and immediately thought "they're probably going to hate it” (even though they never do!), this episode is for you. We're talking all about imposter syndrome: what it is, why it shows up at every stage of business (not just when you're starting out), and how to deal with it when those self-doubts creep in. In this episode, we're sharing our personal experiences with imposter syndrome, from sending client work for review to raising prices to becoming more visible online. We're talking about why comparison on social media makes it worse, and what actually helps when those doubts show up. We're also covering specific situations where imposter syndrome tends to hit hardest: when you're creating new offers, pivoting your business, raising your prices, or growing your audience. And we're sharing lots of practical tips for pushing through it. Topics We Cover * Why you can know your stuff and still feel anxious * Does imposter syndrome ever actually go away? * Why it shows up at every stage of business * How comparison on social media feeds imposter syndrome * Feeling intimidated by successful people in your industry * What helps push past early doubts * Finding community with other entrepreneurs * Why success doesn't eliminate self-doubt * How slow seasons bring imposter syndrome back * Worrying about what your audience will think when you pivot * The fear of being watched while you fail * Why other people don't care as much as you think they do * Imposter syndrome when raising your prices * Imposter syndrome when you become more visible online * Practical tips for moving through imposter syndrome * Why planning reduces self-doubt Time Stamps 01:26 – Why you can still feel anxious even when you know your stuff 04:48 – Practicing vs. actually performing 05:17 – Have you ever felt like "who am I to be doing this"? 06:13 – Sending client work and thinking they'll hate it 07:24 – Does imposter syndrome ever go away? 08:02 – It shows up at every stage 09:35 – Comparison on social media 11:16 – Feeling intimidated early in business 12:38 – What helped push past early doubts 15:08 – Does it disappear once you've been in business a while? 16:36 – Slow seasons bring it back 17:43 – Why success doesn't eliminate self-doubt 18:01 – What helps as an experienced business owner 21:09 – Imposter syndrome when offering something new 23:18 – Worrying what your audience will think 24:50 – Why other people don't care as much as you think 25:45 – Imposter syndrome when raising prices 30:27 – Becoming more visible online 35:29 – Tips for moving through imposter syndrome Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. [https://risecopyco.com/] — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative [https://joannamoss.com/] — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Episodes Referenced: * Episode 12: Business Pivots: When (and How) to Change Direction [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/12-business-pivots-when-and-how-to-change-direction/id1851731793?i=1000752868376]