In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast, we’re joined by the incredible Tonya Bamboe, founder of Booth and Bard, to dive deep into the world of inclusive branding for neurodivergent clients. Tonya shares her journey—from the pivotal moments that shaped her business to how she discovered her passion for serving the "neurospicy" community.

We break down what "neurospicy" means, how Tonya has positioned her brand to support clients who identify with this term, and the intentional shifts she’s made in both her systems and marketing to create a more accessible and empowering experience. Plus, she gets real about the challenges that come with working with neurodivergent clients and how she’s adapted to meet their needs without sacrificing her own well-being.

If you’ve ever wanted to build a business that feels aligned, inclusive, and sustainable—this episode is a must-listen! Tune in and get inspired to refine your own brand with intention.

Guest Information:

Guest Name: Tonya Bamboe

Guest Business Name: Booth & Bard

Guest Website: boothandbard.com

Guest Instagram: @boothandbard

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Today I go through some of my recent projects breaking down the who, what, when, where and how. Just giving a little peak behind the curtain to some of my favorite projects I have worked with recently.

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designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In the first episode of our new monthly series, Branding Bestie Chit Chat, I sit down with Lauren Braier to explore a question that’s been buzzing around the boutique brand design community: What’s the future of our industry?

From online chatter to shifts in the career paths of high-profile designers, we dive into why it feels like so many business owners are struggling right now. Is it just the nature of social media amplifying the lows, or is something deeper happening in the branding world?

Lauren and I share our predictions for 2025, including a possible decline in courses and education in favor of 1:1 coaching, the lingering effects of an oversaturated market post-COVID, and the continued importance of showing up authentically on social media (because being a faceless brand just doesn’t cut it anymore).

We also reflect on what these changes mean for our own futures as brand designers. Whether you’re navigating similar questions or just curious about what’s ahead, this episode is packed with insights, candid thoughts, and some serious bestie vibes.

Grab your coffee, tune in, and let’s talk shop!

Guest Information:

Guest Name: Lauren Braier

Guest Business Name: Elby Creative

Guest Website: elbycreative.com

Guest Instagram: @elbycreative

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designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design

In this inspiring guest episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast, I’m chatting with Kat Super, the talented founder of B Super Design, a boutique brand and web design studio based in Richmond, Virginia. Known for her signature “vintage meets modern” illustrative style, Kat combines brand identity design, web design, and custom illustration into a seamless, full-service experience for her clients—and even offers white-label illustration services to fellow designers.

We dive into Kat’s design journey, her passion for illustration, and how she discovered the unique niche of collaborating with brand designers to create custom illustrations. Kat also shares practical advice for designers looking to strengthen their illustration skills and explains the ins and outs of her white-label services, from inspiration to delivery.

Whether you’re curious about elevating your illustration game, exploring new ways to serve clients, or just love hearing from talented designers, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable takeaways. Tune in to learn from Kat’s creative process and get a behind-the-scenes look at her approach to design!

Guest Information:

Guest Name: Kat Super

Guest Business Name: B Super Design

Guest Website: www.bsuperdesign.com

Guest Instagram: @bsuperdesign

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In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast, we’re diving into what’s in and what’s out for creating a thriving, joyful design business in the new year. Inspired by a trend making waves on social media, I’m sharing my personal “ins” and “outs” for a better work-life balance and a more intentional approach to running my brand design studio.

From booking clients far in advance to pursuing non-work-related hobbies (hello, needlepoint Facebook groups!) and crafting offers around work I truly love, I’m redefining success on my own terms. Plus, we’ll chat about what’s out this year, like accepting clients with red flags, obsessive email checking, and overloading on unnecessary business expenses.

I’ll also share a glimpse into my word of the year—gratitude—and how it’s shaping my mindset and goals moving forward. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, this episode is packed with relatable insights and practical tips for creating a business you genuinely enjoy.

Links Mentioned:

The Design Minimind Sales Page

The Design Minimind Waitlist

Thuro Design

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In this episode of Better: The Brand Designer Podcast, we dive into the art of stepping away from your business while keeping things running smoothly—whether it's for maternity leave or another extended break. I’m sharing a personal recap of my recent maternity leave, reflecting on the biggest differences from my first experience, and breaking down actionable strategies to prepare for extended time off.

From starting your planning early to adjusting team operations and building a financial buffer, this episode is packed with tips to help you stay organized, maintain client trust, and avoid losing leads. Plus, I’ll share how I kept essential operations like social media, sales, and client communication humming while taking much-needed time to rest and recharge. Whether you're a new mom or planning a well-earned sabbatical, this episode is for you!

Tune in to learn how to plan ahead, set boundaries, and keep your business thriving while prioritizing your personal life.

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Today we’re joined by Katelyn from Studio Kaly talking about what makes a luxury brand design experience and how to craft a luxurious offer suite that sells. If you’re struggling with your positioning and offers, this episode is for you!

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Studio Kaly

The Win Without Pitching Manifesto

Inbox Question:

What are the key elements to running a successful photoshoot (for yourself or a client?)

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Have you ever had a review session with a client and they're just not feeling the work you've created? We've been there! In this episode Jen and Esther talk about some of their experiences with push-back and how they worked through the problems to create better solutions for their clients.

Links Mentioned:
The Anti-Anxiety Notebook

Inbox Question:
"How do you present your initial designs to the client? What do you include– how many logo/secondary logo ideas, how many fonts (and where to get fonts/legalities), do you photoshop a mock-up and include that with the package? Like what do you do lol" — Mackenzi Chapman

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designer, design, brand design, brand identity design, design studio, design business, graphic design, brand designer, better podcast, brand designer podcast, logo design, brand identity design