Dani Nagel
Don’t let people tell you to reign it in. Your boldness is a strength, not a weakness. Dani is a self-taught illustrator, graphic designer, and photographer. She graduated at…
design
Design is how things go from functional to meaningful. The founders in this section understand that. They’ve built design agencies, product studios, UX consultancies, and creative firms that shape how people interact with everything from apps to physical spaces.
These interviews cover the full design spectrum. Graphic design. UX and UI. Industrial design. Interior design. Brand identity. Web design. The kind of work that most people don’t notice until it’s done badly. Which, if you think about it, is the highest compliment.
The founders here talk about the business of design, not just the craft. How to price creative work. How to manage client expectations. How to build a team of creative people without everything devolving into chaos. And how to stay creatively fulfilled while running a business, which turns out to be harder than it sounds.
You’ll find insights on design thinking, user research, building a portfolio, and the eternal debate between form and function. If you’re a designer, a founder who needs design help, or just someone who appreciates things that work well and look good doing it, these conversations are for you.
Margaret Williamson
I honestly think the best thing to do is re-assess your business every several months. I think it’s too easy to get caught up in the day to day details…
Bruce Bernstein
Do not be afraid of failure. Failing is a part of learning. Try new things but don’t throw away successful business practices in the process. Bruce Bernstein is the…
Flynn Zaiger
Providing guidance, even to businesses that aren’t clients, can lead to great word-of-mouth referrals. In return for your help, they will remember your kindness. When someone who is a better…
Arpitha Sylvester
Be obsessed with what you do! Have a positive mindset and make it happen for yourself. Always remember, where there’s a will, there’s always a way. Arpitha Sylvester is…
Hugo Woodhead
Always assume you know nothing rather than everything. Hugo is a London born tech entrepreneur and the founder behind Pilcro, a UK based startup on a mission to help…
Paul Xavier
Lead with value. The sooner you adapt this strategy the sooner you’ll reach success. Paul Xavier is a Portsmouth, New Hampshire based entrepreneur and founder of Next Level Creators,…
Kosta Popov
In business your gut instinct is just as important as rational judgment. Making counterintuitive decisions based solely on instinct is scary but it often pays off. Kosta Popov, CEO…
Zaheer Dodhia
Always put people first, and your business second if you have to make a decision between the two. Zaheer Dodhia is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully led several…
Shannon Molnar
Shannon is a writer, designer and adventure seeker based out of the beautiful PNW. She’s a proud fisherman’s wife, and spends much of her downtime curled up with a…
Taylor Kaszynski
A picture is worth a thousand words. I either draw some scribbles and hope it makes sense or I just get in there and make it with my hands until…
Dorota Shortell
Team harmony and letting everyone feel like their opinion has been heard, even if the final decision is in a different direction, makes the whole organization more productive. Dorota…