Listen on APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY
Can I say something a bit unpopular about business?
It doesn’t have to be stiff.
Or overwhelming.
Or soul-sucking spreadsheets and pretending to be someone you’re not.
And you definitely don’t have to become more “corporate” to be taken seriously. I used to think that.
That to be “good at business,” I had to wear the mask. Put on the voice. Speak the client lingo. Hide the creative part of me that didn’t quite fit the boardroom.
But here’s what I’ve learned: Business is just how your creativity reaches people—and how you get paid fairly for it.
That’s it. And honestly? It can feel simple, empowering, and (dare I say?) good.
When it clicked for me
There was this one client, years ago, who said: “Can you just send the invoice whenever? I’ll get to it when I can.”
The old me would’ve smiled and said, “Sure!” Because I was scared. Scared to lose the work. Scared to look pushy. Scared to not seem “nice.”
But that day I paused. I took a breath and said: “I usually send it before I start. Does that work for you?”
He said, “Sure.”
No drama. No awkward silence. Just mutual respect.
That moment was a turning point. I realised I didn’t have to fight to be seen as a professional. I just had to lead with clarity. Soft, simple clarity.
That’s when things began to shift.
Business = R + R + R
I like to think of business in three words: Results, Relationships, Rhythm.
That’s it.
Forget all the fluff and funnels and formulas. If you focus on:
- the Results you help bring to life,
- the Relationships you build with clients, and
- the Rhythms that keep you grounded and consistent…
You are doing business. Creative, beautiful, human business.
10 Tiny Business Moves That Changed Everything
These are the shifts that helped me move from panic-mode freelancing to something that feels like a solid, supportive rhythm.
Not perfect. Not polished. Just better. More sustainable. More me.
1. Your One-Line Why
This is your anchor. Your filter. Your reason.
Mine? I want to live life my way, on my own terms. I want the freedom to say yes to my husband when we need time off. I want to earn well without asking for permission.
So now, when a new project comes in, I ask: Does this support my “why”? If not—it’s a respectful “no.” No guilt.
What’s yours?
Write it. Stick it on your wall. Let it guide your decisions.
2. Results, Not Just “Pretty”
Design isn’t decoration. It’s communication. And communication solves problems.
If your design helps increase brand recognition, boost sales, or improve clarity—that’s a result. Start tying your work to outcomes. Ask:
“Did the design help you reach your goal?” “What changed after we launched?” “How can we improve or build on this next time?”
You’ll go from “just a designer” to a creative asset who helps businesses grow.
3. Ask Better Questions
This one’s big.
Asking good questions doesn’t make you annoying—it makes you powerful. Silence is where the confusion creeps in.
Ask things like: – What’s the real goal? – What does success look like? – What’s non-negotiable? – How do you want people to feel when they see this?
✨ I made a free guide with all my go-to client questions. Grab it —it’s a game changer.
4. Boundaries in Plain Language
Not the TED Talk kind. Just soft, kind, firm phrases like:
“This includes two revision rounds. Anything more can be added at my hourly rate.” “I’m offline after 4pm, but I’ll reply first thing in the morning.” “Copywriting isn’t included, but I’m happy to quote for that too.”
That’s it. Boundaries don’t have to be harsh. Just honest.
And honestly? Clients feel safer when you’re clear. It’s kindness in disguise.
5. The Daily Top Three
One client task. One internal or marketing task. One admin task.
That’s your day.
Bonus: Clear your desk, your desktop, your emails. Give your brain some breathing space.
📒 In my Graphic Designers’ Playbook Planner, I’ve built this into your weekly layout—so you don’t have to think too hard about what to do next.
6. Money = Creative Safety
Set a money rhythm.
I call it my “money date.” Once a week: quote, invoice, follow up, file.
When I started, I did it on the last day of the month. And the next day? I took myself on a little break.
A walk. A coffee. A nap. Because admin deserves a reward too.
Try it—you’ll feel in control and way more confident.
7. Follow Up (with Love)
Silence doesn’t mean “no.”
It often just means… “life happened.”
Please—don’t assume your client knows what to do next. They probably don’t.
Communicate. Repeat yourself kindly. Lead the process.
(It’s not nagging. It’s leadership.)
8. Present Like a Story
Don’t just send designs.
Tell the story.
Goal → Insight → Concept → Why it works → What’s next.
Show mockups. Explain your thought process. Make it visual.
I switched to the One-Concept Method around 2017, and it changed everything.
No more 17 logo options. No more endless revisions. Just one beautiful, thought-out, well-explained concept.
💡 Want my proposal template? It’s inside the Playbook Desk.
9. Aftercare = Future Clients
30 days after a project: check in.
Not to pitch. Just to care.
“Hey! Just checking in—how’s everything going? Need anything else?”
You’d be amazed how many clients don’t even know you offer more than logos.
So tell them. Gently. Repeatedly.
That’s how relationships grow.
10. The Friday Look-Back
Every Friday, ask yourself:
– What gave me energy? – What drained me?
Adjust accordingly. That’s how you design your business.
One week at a time.
Soft Scripts to Save (Because Saying It Is Hard Sometimes)
Need help finding the words?
Here are a few you can copy-paste or tweak:
📌 Scope Creep: “I’d love to do that — it’s outside our current scope, so I’ll add it as an extra. Shall I include it in the quote and invoice?”
📌 Late Payment: “Just a friendly nudge that invoice #\[123] is now due. Once it’s settled, I’ll send through the final files.”
📌 Confidence in Rates: “My pricing reflects the time, care, and strategy I bring to each project.”
📌 Stuck Approvals: “Just checking in on your feedback—happy to move things forward or hop on a quick call if that’s easier. To meet your deadline, we need to move the project forward.”
✨ Want more of these? There’s a full section of soft, respectful email scripts inside the Playbook Desk ready to copy and use.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Friend, you don’t need to be more corporate.
You just need to lead with clarity. Move with kindness. And keep building little rhythms that work for you.
Pick just two things from this list to try this week.
Small moves. On repeat. That’s the magic.
Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨
If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going:
Website & Resources → kunshuis.com
Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective
Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog
Free support for creatives:
🖤 My favourite tools for life + business:
- The Playbook Planner
— your creative sidekick for focus + flow - The Playbook Desk
— a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with ease
Let’s connect & stay inspired:
📸 Instagram
Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook
Because design is only 20%… the rest is life.
Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.
