The Designated Designer 🔮

How to Fail Forward ✦ with Liz Mosley

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I’m joined by brand designer and podcast host Liz Mosley for a conversation about confidence, connection, and the surprising power of podcasting as a networking tool. Liz shares how creating her own podcast opened doors to relationships, opportunities, and collaborations that traditional networking never could. We talk about building confidence through content creation, embracing rejection as part of the creative journey, and why failure is often the fastest path toward real growth. This episode explores the quieter side of entrepreneurship: the self-awareness, persistence, and vulnerability it takes to keep showing up even when things don’t go according to plan. Liz offers practical insight for creatives and small business owners who want to build stronger relationships, expand their networks, and grow their businesses without losing their authenticity along the way. If you’ve ever hesitated to put yourself out there, this conversation is a reminder that confidence isn’t something you wait for... it’s something you build by doing ✨ ---------------------------------------- Connect with Liz Mosley • Website: https://lizmosley.net [https://lizmosley.net] • Podcast: https://buildingyourbrand.net [https://buildingyourbrand.net] • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/ [https://www.instagram.com/lizmmosley/]

Conquer What Can't Be Controlled ✦ with Rick Franzo

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I’m joined by the one and only Rick Franzo, Growth Coach of the Poconos. Join us for a powerful conversation about what it really means to get unstuck, both in business and in life. ✦ Rick shares his deeply personal journey from surviving multiple brain tumors to guiding entrepreneurs through their own seasons of overwhelm, isolation, and uncertainty. We explore why mindset is often the real bottleneck, and how coachability, community, and honest self-awareness can completely shift the trajectory of your business. ✦ This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen alone. The right guide, the right people, and the willingness to face reality can move you forward faster than sheer hustle ever could. So, if you’re feeling stuck, stretched thin, or unsure of your next step, this conversation offers the necessary clarity and encouragement for a grounded path forward. ✦✦✦ Connect with Rick Franzo: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-franzo-52948b26/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-franzo-52948b26/] • Website: https://www.thegrowthcoach.com/poconos/ [https://www.thegrowthcoach.com/poconos/] • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gcpoconos/ [https://www.facebook.com/gcpoconos/] • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rickfranzo3549 [https://www.youtube.com/@rickfranzo3549]

Brochure Design that Guides ✦ with Jesse Heebner

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I’m joined by Jesse Heebner of Heeby’s Surplus and American Door Products for a conversation that goes way beyond brochures and branding! We dig into what it really means to design with intention; where it becomes directional instead of just decorative. Jesse shares what it’s like growing a family business, navigating expansion, managing people, and making strategic decisions in an industry that doesn’t always get the spotlight. We talk about understanding your customer’s journey, why consistency matters more than constant change, and how design, cleanliness, and organization quietly shape trust long before a sale is ever made. If you’ve ever wondered how design fits into real-world business growth, this episode is a grounded, honest look at what happens when strategy leads and design follows with purpose.

Finance Your Future ✦ with Jim Gillespie

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I sat down with mortgage & lending expert Jim Gillespie to traverse a topic most creatives would rather sidestep: money, mortgages, and the financial systems that quietly shape our lives. Jim breaks down the evolution of the mortgage industry, from the predatory lending that led to the 2008 crash, to the guardrails created by the Dodd-Frank Act. He explains how today’s lending standards actually work in plain English. Together, we explore why so many creatives feel unprepared when it comes to home buying, what credit scores really measure, and how self-employed entrepreneurs can position themselves for approval. Whether you're dreaming of buying a home, repairing your credit, or simply trying to build a healthier financial foundation, this episode gives you clear steps, grounded wisdom, and a much-needed crash course in financial literacy for the creative mind. Perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and anyone who wants their money self to finally catch up with their creative self!!

From Vision to Victory ✦ with Roofing Army

What does it really take to build a brand that commands attention and earns trust, right from day one? In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Scott, owner of Roofing Army, to unpack how powerful design and clear messaging can completely reshape how a business shows up in the world. We talk about the early days of building his brand from the ground up, the importance of collaboration in the creative process, and how staying patient (even when it’s tough) pays off in the long run. Aaron shares how branding gave his business confidence, clarity, and momentum—and how that foundation continues to fuel Roofing Army’s growth today. If you’ve ever wondered how to take your business from blending in to standing tall, this one’s for you! 🪖🐜