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business advice

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November 28, 2023

Business has slowed and I’m spiraling. How do I refill the pipeline?

Creative-business coach Sean Low reminds one reader that every firm has fruitful and fallow periods—the challenge is maintaining an abundance mindset in times of scarcity.

business advice

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November 14, 2023

I bill hourly. How do I stop clients from taking advantage?

One designer laments the catch-22 of hourly billing—it can deter scope creep, but the hours never seem to end. Creative business coach Sean Low explains how to shift the financial risk away from your firm and onto your clients.

business advice

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October 31, 2023

Should I adapt my billing based on my particular client?

Creative business coach Sean Low explains why flexibility isn’t a boon when it comes to designers’ billing systems.

business advice

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October 18, 2023

I’m making a midlife career switch to design. Should I go back to school?

Creative business coach Sean Low helps one reader take a step back and see the bigger picture in the dilemma of whether or not to get a design degree, and the age-old distinction between “design” and “decorating.”

business advice

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October 3, 2023

Industry events can be such a huge time suck. How much networking do I really need?

With creative business coach Sean Low’s help, one reader reevaluates whether they really need to be saying yes to every design conference and panel invite that comes their way.

business advice

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September 19, 2023

My firm got too big during the pandemic. How do I downsize strategically?

One reader wonders how to backpedal their firm’s too-fast growth trajectory. Creative business coach Sean Low explains why that’s the wrong question to ask.

business advice

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September 5, 2023

I’ve been a successful solo designer. Should I hire a team to grow my firm?

Many designers who work alone eventually have to decide whether to keep flying solo or hire and develop a staff. Sean Low poses questions to help one reader make the right call.

business advice

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August 22, 2023

When is it time to stop investing in a challenging employee and just start fresh?

Creative business coach Sean Low walks one reader through the process of assessing the root cause of an employee’s toxic behavior in order to course-correct a problematic company culture and team dynamic.

business advice

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August 8, 2023

Expert advice to decline too-small projects seems risky. What am I missing?

One reader challenges creative business coach Sean Low’s advice to turn down minor refresh projects from clients who previously hired you to design their whole home.

business advice

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July 25, 2023

My clients seem happy, but they never give me referrals. What am I doing wrong?

One reader wonders why business seems good but never leads to client referrals. Creative business coach Sean Low administers a lesson in the folly of prizing the end result over the design process itself.

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