Insights for Solopreneurs—Because Hustle Isn’t the Goal
Real Talk on Focus, Boundaries, and Building a Sustainable Business of One
If you’re self-employed, this is the space for honest reflections, helpful systems, and mindset shifts that make solo work more sustainable. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what works for you. When you’re trying to grow a business that fits your life, not the other way around, start here.
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Feed the Right Wolf: Staying Visible When Business Feels Quiet
When business feels quiet, it’s tempting to pull back. But staying visible — even in slow seasons — builds trust, brand equity, and future opportunities.
How to Ask for Referrals (Without Feeling Weird About It)
Getting referrals is about doing great work, asking clearly, and saying thank you. Be specific in your ask so people know exactly who to refer. Build trust through genuine relationships and consistent follow-through. The more intentional you are, the easier it is for others to help you grow.
Small Cuts, Big Impact: Shaping Your Business Like a Bonsai
Running a business is like shaping a bonsai—small, intentional adjustments lead to sustainable growth. Instead of drastic changes, refine offerings, pricing, positioning, and processes over time. Prune what no longer serves you and cultivate a business that thrives. #entrepreneurship
I Went for Pancakes and Left with a Lead
Even the most underwhelming networking events can lead to meaningful business opportunities. Consistent outreach, follow-up, and simply showing up—especially when it’s inconvenient or awkward—are essential parts of building a sustainable solo business.
Seeing the Bigger Picture: Why Opportunity Drives Long-Term Success
Not every business deal is about immediate profit—some opportunities create long-term value that leads to greater success. Taking on strategically valuable projects, even at a lower rate, can refine services, build strong relationships, and open new doors. Knowing when to pursue an opportunity and when to say no helps balance profitability with sustainable business growth.
Stop Overthinking It: How to Make Decisions Faster and Move Your Business Forward
Stop letting overthinking, analysis paralysis, FOBO, hold your business back. You can make faster, more confident choices that drive progress…if you let yourself.
Is your brand Holding you back?
Take this 15-minute brand clarity assessment and discover what’s holding your business back—so you can fix it fast.
Invite F.R.O.G.S – An Easy Way to Think About People to Invite to a BNI Meeting
When we look at the overall levels of member engagement in terms of attendance, one to...
Be Specific: 5-Point Checklist For Networking Commercials
During business networking meetings, such as BNI or Chambers of Commerce, you will have...
Present Like a Pro
Are you stressed out about your upcoming featured presentation? Are you worried about...
3+3+3=9 Minutes
Here are some secrets for planning and preparing for your 10-minute featured...
Specific is Terrific
Business professionals who want to do business by referral are often far too general in...
GAINS profile
So often, BNI members are frustrated about not getting more business referred to them....
How To Use Social Networks to…Network
If you’re like me, you have changed your approach to networking over the last seven months. As we have learned in our chapter, we can all find new clients by watching out for each other on Facebook. But Social networks are multifaceted tools being used to create awareness, promote, and build relationships!
Build your VCP (Visibility, Credibility, Profitability) on Zoom
It’s been eight+ months since we started doing our weekly referral networking meetings over Zoom. For some, it’s comfortable and natural. For others, we’re either still finding our way or getting pretty tired of doing this virtually.
Networking Virtually…tips for the new normal
With social distancing becoming the norm, networking has moved to online platforms, but it is still an essential tool for building relationships. To be successful, you must have the right mindset, where you focus on how you can help others, not how they can help you. This approach builds mutually beneficial relationships, which is the goal of networking. You can start by nurturing existing relationships, checking in on close friends, family, and colleagues. To meet new people, you can target specific groups or be open to random connections. Allocating just 30 minutes a day to LinkedIn can be an effective way to network online by skimming your feed, commenting on relevant articles, and sending personalized messages to your connections.
We’re all working from home now.
Since so many people are working from now, and Brenits Creative is a 100% remote-work team, I wanted to share the four things that I have been doing consistently for 20 years.
To-Do, To-Don’t, To-Done!
Sometimes it feels like there’s a lot on my plate. I run my own business, sit on two boards, serve as leadership for my referral networking group, and I teach. Most importantly, I’m a husband and father. I have a lot of stuff that needs to get done every day. But I’m never overwhelmed enough to say, “my plate is overfull.”
Plan and run better meetings
Meetings are a necessary evil in our business. Between staff meetings, project planning...
I Went from In-House to Consultant—Here’s What Helped Me Succeed
By the end of 2015, after nearly eight years as an in-house creative director—and over two decades in the field—I found myself self-employed for the second time in my career. Now, as I enter my fourth year as a brand and creative strategy consultant, I recognize how the lessons I learned in-house have directly contributed to my success as a business owner. Looking back, I can also see that my consulting mindset and teaching instincts played a crucial role in leading in-house creative teams effectively.
The Changing Relationship Between In-House and Outside Agencies
In recent years, there has been a shift in power in the creative industry regarding who “owns” brand and creative work in corporate America. In-house creative teams have emerged as important players, producing some of the best creative work in design, advertising, photography, and video. This shift has led to corporations leveraging their in-house talent more than ever, with in-house teams taking on the responsibility of managing outside agency relationships.
3 Career Paths: Agency, Freelance or In-House?
As a design professional with almost 25 years of experience, I have worked in various roles, including as a freelancer, in-house creative services leader, creative director, and educator. There are three career paths available to creative – agency, freelance, and in-house – and choosing which one is right for you depends on four factors: stability, money, advancement, and passion.