Kat Irwin Design

Are you measuring success wrong?

👋 Hi Reader When we think about business growth, what comes to mind? Profit, projects, followers? That’s how I measured success too… Last year, I had my highest revenue year by far. I was so proud, but something felt off. I had achieved the numbers I set out for, but it just didn’t feel as fulfilling as I expected. And when I look back, it wasn’t the highest-paying projects that I’m most proud of. It was the collaborations that excited me, the clients who became friends, the risks I took that...

2 months ago • 2 min read

Less mess, less stress - the newsletter.

👋 Hi Reader I believe running a business doesn’t have to feel chaotic or overwhelming. That’s the philosophy behind Less Mess, Less Stress, the biweekly newsletter designed to help you create a business that works for you. But Less Mess, Less Stress its more than just a catchy phrase. It comes from my own journey of figuring out what kind of life and work I wanted. Here’s why: As you might know, I grew up in Dubai, but my lifestyle was far from the lavish images you see in the media. My...

3 months ago • 1 min read

Do you do New Year's resolutions?

Hi Reader Around this time of year there's a lot of pressure. Pressure to finish the year strong, plan for next year and already start being the best version of yourself for 2025. Here's 2 tips to make goal-setting a bit easier: 1. Choose a word, set an intention Instead of listing 100 small goals, focus on one word or intention. eg. Balance, Growth, Adventure, Connection. This word become the 'why' behind every action you take. 2. Be Flexible ⁠⁠You can't predict or control everything, and...

4 months ago • 1 min read

Enjoy a profitable vacation 🏖️

Hi Reader Recently I took a 3-week holiday and didn't stress about work. Something I never thought possible a few years ago. But after a few hectic months, I desperately needed to switch off. The idea of being without my laptop for three weeks initially made me nervous, but it was well worth it. The holiday was stress-free, relaxing, and even a bit profitable. Here's how: #1 Don't leave it until the last minute Planning is key. I always say this but still wait until the last minute to get...

11 months ago • 1 min read

Marie-Kondo your life

Hi Reader Recently while recording for Work In Progress , the podcast I co-host, our guest Sam from Samantha Digital said something important: “I have one job - get clients and make websites. The rest is just noise” It might seem obvious, but it's also easy to forget. For online business owners, we're bombarded from every angle with reminders of all the things we should be doing... Grow your following, start a newsletter, start a YouTube channel, create a free download... the list goes on and...

about 1 year ago • 1 min read

How a £100K deal made me feel

Hi Reader Last month was really exciting for Kat Irwin Design. An opportunity surfaced which left me feeling very excited but also very small… One of my clients has an idea with a lot of potential. Last year we started bringing it to life, hiring some recommended developers who did not deliver. After a few chaotic months of ignored messages and late deliveries, we decided to re-strategise. I contacted an old friend with an established web development agency, working with businesses like the...

about 1 year ago • 1 min read

I thought it would be easy....

Hi Reader 👋 Can I share a secret? Before I transitioned into web design I spent 6 years designing digital platforms in the FinTech industry. And honestly, in comparison to those complex apps, I thought websites would be easy. A website is just a few pages with some images, right? Wrong. Despite my experience, I had grossly underestimated the following aspects of working as a web design freelancer: The power of good writing The differences in user & buyer psychology How much my own business...

over 1 year ago • 1 min read