Ep 53: Beyond KPI: Patterns, People, and the Future of Leadership with Arjan Visser

Ep 53: Beyond KPI: Patterns, People, and the Future of Leadership with Arjan Visser

In this episode of The Agency Rocket Show, Liz Hunt sits down with Arjan Visser for a deep conversation about creative leadership, vulnerability, burnout, and the growing tension between management systems and human creativity. The conversation also explores Liz’s upcoming book, The 9 Types of Creatives, including the “Visionary” archetype, a creative profile centered around high-level thinking, leadership, innovation, and future-focused vision. Together, they discuss: * Why traditional management structures often fail creative teams * The importance of relational safety in leadership * How insecurity impacts both creatives and managers * Recognizing patterns in creative personalities and teams * The tension between predictability and innovation * Why leaders need peer groups outside their organization * The danger of self-sacrifice in leadership * How creative archetypes can become tools for understanding instead of labels This episode is for agency owners, creative leaders, entrepreneurs, managers, and anyone trying to build healthier, more human-centered teams.   Interested in learning more about future-focused leadership and identity-driven strategy?  Check out LEAD THE FUTURE: 7 Steps to Expand your Identity, Strategic Foresight, and Vision by Arjan Visser on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/LEAD-FUTURE-Identity-Strategic-Foresight/dp/9083475670]   Connect with Arjan Visser on LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/apvisser/]

Ep 52: Learning Web Design: Growth, Feedback, and Letting Go of Perfection with Maren McDaniel

Don’t wait for perfect... submit it bad. In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Liz Hunt sits down with DayCloud designer Maren McDaniel to talk about her journey from illustrator and graphic designer into the world of website design. They unpack what it really looks like to learn a new skill inside an agency environment, from early fear and perfectionism to feedback, collaboration, and real growth through doing. Maren shares how she went from avoiding web design altogether to confidently building sites, why minimalist design can be harder than maximalism, and how wireframes, typography, color restraint, and UX thinking reshaped the way she designs. Liz offers insight into mentorship, critique, and why submitting work before it feels “ready” is essential to becoming a better designer. If you’re a creative who’s afraid to show unfinished work, struggling with perfectionism, or learning something new and uncomfortable, this episode is your reminder that growth doesn’t happen when things are perfect. It happens when you start.

Episode 51: Writing for the Web: Translating Brand Voice into Website Copy with Keaton Haines

In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Host Liz Hunt is flying without Chelsea (who is off doing casual things like HAVING A BABY) and is joined by DayCloud’s own marketing coordinator and resident wordsmith, Keaton Haines. Together they break down what copywriting actually is, how website copy differs from “regular” writing, and why your site shouldn’t read like an HR handbook. They walk through DayCloud’s full website copy process—from discovery and brand voice, to wireframes, UX-minded content strategy, and collaboration between design and copy—and talk honestly about common mistakes businesses make when they DIY their words. You’ll hear how empathy and embodiment drive good copy, how to think about SEO without turning your site into keyword soup, and why “integrity, honesty, professionalism” is not a brand personality. If you’ve ever wondered how agencies actually write websites (or what a ghostwriter does for a brand), this one’s for you.

Ep 50: Website Red Flags: How to Know When It’s Time for a Rebuild

Be honest: when you pull up your website… do you cringe a little? In this episode, hosts Liz Hunt and Chelsea Poppens dive into the real signs it might be time for a website rebuild, from outdated design and clunky tech to slow load times, poor user experience, and branding that no longer fits who you are. You’ll learn: * The biggest red flags that scream “rebuild now” * When a refresh is enough (and when it’s not) * Why mobile, accessibility and site speed matter more than ever * How bad UX quietly kills your leads * When NOT to hire an agency (yes, really) Plus… a pregnancy disclaimer, emotional support dogs, and a few unfiltered opinions on ugly websites. Enjoy!

Ep 49: Wired Differently: The Two-Step That Saves Every Web Project

In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Liz and Chelsea explain the phase where websites finally start taking shape: before the visuals, before the colors, before anyone gets distracted by “Can we make the buttons rounder?”   We break down the two-step magic of our process, built from years in the industry: 1. The Interactive Mood Board, where we mine for client taste, gather inspiration across industries, and intentionally include a few designs clients will absolutely hate. 2. The Wireframe Phase, aka the blueprint, skeleton, framework, bones… whatever you want to call it. It’s the non-sexy, extremely important step where content, flow, hierarchy, functionality, and UX all lock into place.   No colors, no fonts, no flourishes. Just pure structure, clarity, and strategic thinking.   We also discuss why this phase prevents project blowups, how it eliminates surprise edits later, and why clients understand their own website better when they can’t get distracted by the pretty stuff yet.   If you’ve ever wondered how the pros design websites that feel intentional, aligned, and on the mark, this is the episode for you.