The Profitable Designer Show discusses the philosophy, principles and strategies that unlock a profitable design business that runs itself.
Hosted by Patrick O...
Market Smarter, Not Harder: The Path to Financial Freedom for Creatives With Lloyd Coenen
In this episode, I sit down with Lloyd, a visionary entrepreneur and artist, to uncover the incredible journey of turning creative passions into profitable businesses. From feeling trapped in an unfulfilling 9-to-5 job to discovering the power of paid traffic and organic marketing strategies, Lloyd shares how he built a thriving art business that now helps others achieve the same.
We explore Lloyd’s transformation from accounting to art, how he leveraged his business know-how to bypass traditional art industry gatekeepers, and the mental challenges creatives face when stepping into entrepreneurship. Lloyd breaks down actionable strategies, such as how to create art that resonates with the market, engage audiences for organic growth, and turn connections into loyal customers.
This episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for designers and artists looking to escape the feast-or-famine cycle and build a business that delivers financial and creative freedom. If you’ve ever felt like your talent isn’t enough or struggled to communicate your value to the market, this conversation is a game-changer.
Ready for your free 1-1 consult? - https://www.profitabledesigner.com/schedule/
Follow me on Instagram for daily behind-the-scenes updates: https://www.instagram.com/profitabledesigner
Access my free Profitable Designer Blueprint mini-training: https://www.profitabledesigner.com/blueprint
--------
50:42
The 4 Most Impactful Ideas In My Own Design Business Success
Today, we’re diving into four game-changing ideas that have defined my philosophy for building a successful design business. These aren't just strategies—they’re the core principles that shape how I run and grow my business every day. In this episode, I’ll take you through each of these powerful ideas, helping you see beyond tactics and focus on the mindset that fuels true, sustainable success.
We’ll start with the power of deciding to succeed, why most designers remain underpaid, and how to place yourself among the top 1% who break free from the grind. Then, we’ll challenge the common idea of “getting rich slow” and dive into how you can fast-track your goals by reverse-engineering success. You’ll also learn how to position your services in a way that clients are eager to buy—not just the design but the outcomes they value most. Finally, we’ll talk about the actions that separate the top 1% from the rest and why breaking the conventional mold is essential for lasting freedom and profitability in your design business.
Grab a notebook, get ready to take notes, and let’s dive into these essential ideas that could redefine your design business journey.
Ready for your free 1-1 consult? - https://www.profitabledesigner.com/schedule/
Follow me on Instagram for daily behind-the-scenes updates - https://www.instagram.com/profitabledesigner
Link to our free Profitable Designer Blueprint mini-training: https://www.profitabledesigner.com/blueprint
--------
29:06
How He Sold His Startup to Canon: Lessons for Scaling Your Design Business With Fionn Concannon
Today, we’re diving deep into the entrepreneurial journey of my friend, Fionn Concannon, who successfully scaled and sold his software company to Canon. While he’s not a designer, his story is packed with insights that directly apply to anyone running a design business.
From figuring out how to turn ideas into profitable ventures, to learning the hard way that sales and financial accountability are the true backbone of success, [Guest's Name] shares invaluable lessons about growth, commitment, and the mindset needed to win in any industry. We talk about why it’s so crucial to focus on ROI for clients, how to leverage your MVP as an early sales tool, and the power of pushing through analysis paralysis to reach the next level.
This episode is all about what it takes to build a successful business from the ground up, even when the odds seem stacked against you. So, grab a pen, get ready to take notes, and let’s dive into this incredible conversation with Fionn Concannon.
Want to grow your design business and achieve financial freedom like Joe? Tune in for actionable insights, mindset shifts, and the strategies that have helped him succeed.
Ready for your free 1-1 consult? - https://www.profitabledesigner.com/schedule/
Follow me on Instagram for daily behind-the-scenes updates - https://www.instagram.com/profitabledesigner
Link to our free Profitable Designer Blueprint mini-training: https://www.profitabledesigner.com/blueprint
--------
54:58
Removing Yourself From An 8-Figure Design Consultancy With Joe Woodham
In this episode, we sit down with Joe, a successful design consultant who’s built a multi-seven-figure business, all while living the digital nomad dream in Bali. Joe shares his journey from launching a recruitment company in Australia to evolving into a design consultancy serving major enterprise clients like Telstra and Australia Post. He talks about the pivotal moments that allowed him to step away from being tied to his desk and create a business that runs with minimal oversight.
We dive into how Joe has implemented systems to streamline operations, scale his business, and delegate effectively. He breaks down the mindset shifts that have been crucial for turning his business into a well-oiled machine—emphasizing the importance of not being afraid to evolve, the power of delegation, and learning how to work smarter, not harder.
Joe also sheds light on the role of AI in business, sharing how he’s integrated AI tools to increase efficiency, scale faster, and improve client outcomes. Finally, we discuss the value of networking and building genuine relationships, not just for business but for life.
Want to grow your design business and achieve financial freedom like Joe? Tune in for actionable insights, mindset shifts, and the strategies that have helped him succeed.
Ready for your free 1-1 consult? - https://www.profitabledesigner.com/schedule/
Follow me on Instagram for daily behind-the-scenes updates - https://www.instagram.com/profitabledesigner
Link to our free Profitable Designer Blueprint mini-training: https://www.profitabledesigner.com/blueprint
--------
1:09:45
How To Build Time & Financial Freedom As A 25 Year Old Designer With Casey Rickey
In this episode, we chat with 25-year-old entrepreneur Casey Rickey, who has already escaped the feast-or-famine cycle, enjoying financial and time freedom. We dive into Casey’s journey, from selling candy as a kid to building a screen-printing business in high school, and eventually founding Greekify, a design and apparel business for fraternities and sororities.
We discuss how Casey balances creativity with entrepreneurship, recognizing opportunities from both an artistic and business perspective. He shares the importance of word-of-mouth marketing, delivering relevant designs, and transitioning Greekify into a hands-off business using third-party production.
Throughout, we explore the role of mindset, innovation, and taking time away from the grind for sustainable growth. We wrap up with insights into personal branding, leveraging content creation, and staying open to new opportunities.
Ready for your free 1-1 consult? - https://www.profitabledesigner.com/schedule/
Follow me on Instagram for daily Instagram story updates, and a more "behind-the-scenes" look at what I'm up to - https://www.instagram.com/profitabledesigner
Link to our free Profitable Designer Blueprint mini-training:
https://www.profitabledesigner.com/blueprint
The Profitable Designer Show discusses the philosophy, principles and strategies that unlock a profitable design business that runs itself.
Hosted by Patrick O'Connell, a seasoned designer and entrepreneur, this show covers everything business, sales, marketing and entrepreneurship.
Subscribe now and join us on the journey!