š Hi Reader Recently someone booked a discovery call with me. And when I read the responses to the pre-call questions, I almost cancelled. There were a lot of specific instructions. And a tight deadline. I could already feel that this project could be a nightmareā¦ But I thought Iād give the call a go anyway - I could always say no. On the call, they seemed kind - stressed, but reasonable. So I decided to gently set some boundaries and explain that while I absolutely respect her input, she...
25 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
š Hi Reader Freelancing gets easier when you know who you are. When I first started freelancing as a UX Designer, I thought I had to fit into a box - minimal, slick and corporate. Not me at all. And this made it impossible to find clients. I had no idea how to even start a conversation, let alone sell to them. But then, after taking steps to find my focus it all changed. Now, 4 years later, I work with clients that I enjoy speaking to, on projects that get me excited. And you can too... Iāve...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
š Hi Reader If youāve felt stuck or uninspired in your business lately - youāre not behind. Youāre not doing it wrong. And no, you donāt need to burn it all down... Itās probably just time for something new. That next step might be: Refining your niche Rebranding to match who you are now Letting go of a client who no longer fits How did you feel when you read that list? Where did your mind go? Maybe that's a sign... Success in business isnāt a straight line, and thereās not one correct...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
š Hi Reader When we think about business growth, what comes to mind? Profit, projects, followers? Thatās how I measured success tooā¦ 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 didnāt feel as fulfilling as I expected. And when I look back, it wasnāt the highest-paying projects that Iām most proud of. It was the collaborations that excited me, the clients who became friends, the risks I took that...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
š Hi Reader I believe running a business doesnāt have to feel chaotic or overwhelming. Thatās 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. Hereās 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...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
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 ā ā You can't predict or control everything, and...
6 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
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...
about 1 year agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader Recently while recording for Work In Progress , the podcast I co-host, our guest Sam from Samantha Digital said something important: āI have one job - get clients and make websites. The rest is just noiseā 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 agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader Last month was really exciting for Kat Irwin Design. An opportunity surfaced which left me feeling very excited but also very smallā¦ 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...
over 1 year agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read