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”The Design Imposter” podcast, hosted by Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins, is your go-to resource for creative professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to conquer self-doubt and imposter syndrome in the world of visual design, branding, marketing, communication, social media, and beyond. Join us, the co-founders of The Creative Circle Collective, as we delve into candid conversations about graphic design, freelancing, entrepreneurship, agency ownership, pricing strategies, logo desi ...
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#32: From RFP to Proposal: Tips for New Agencies and Freelancers
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Is your RFP proposal process overwhelming and fruitless? Discover the strategy to secure more wins! Delve into the intricate world of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in this episode of "The Design Imposter," with Monique Jenkins and Jessica Valis. If you've ever wondered how successful agencies secure new clients, this episode is a must-listen. Moniq…
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#31: Navigating Race, Parenthood, and Professional Support
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Do you feel alone and underrepresented at your job? Join us as we dive deep into a heartfelt conversation about the intersection of race, parenthood, and professional life in a post-COVID world. Black UX Labs founder Amber Fields joins Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins. Together they share personal stories and candid reflections on the unique chall…
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#30: Hiring & Firing: A Manager’s Perspective
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How many strikes are too many before it’s time to let someone go? Dive into the tough decisions behind hiring and firing from a manager's perspective in this episode of The Design Impostor. We discuss the ups and downs of building and maintaining a team, from interns to business partners. Tune in for a candid conversation that every manager and asp…
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Is SEO a scam? No, it’s just a lot more complex than blogging and keywords. In this episode, Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins, discuss SEO with Edan Ben-Atar and dive into what makes SEO challenging: the advent of AI and Google’s secret weapon: Reddit! Edan highlights the evolving nature of Google's algorithms, which increasingly prioritize organi…
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#28: Grad School for Creatives: Alumni Insights from the University of Baltimore
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Do you feel stuck in your career? Looking for ways to advance? Wondering if a masters degree in publishing, design, marketing or writing will take you to that next level? Join Jesica Valis and Monique Jenkins as they reunite with former classmates from the University of Baltimore and delve into their journeys before, during, and after pursuing a Ma…
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#27: Designing Within Giants: Leading UX in the Corporate World (Part 2)
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Join us on "The Design Imposter" as hosts Monique Jenkins and Jessica Valis chat with two awesome UX leaders, Bri-anna Lewis and Kellie Porter, about what it's like to be in charge of design at big companies. They'll talk about how they make sure everyone works well together, how they keep their design teams happy and creative, and what they do whe…
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#26: Designing Within Giants: Navigating Big Organizations as a Creative (Part 1)
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In the vast expanse of corporate landscapes, where do designers find their place? This episode of "The Design Imposter," hosted by Monique Jenkins and Jessica Valis, ventures into the heart of large organizations to uncover the challenges and opportunities that await creative professionals. From the nuances of corporate culture to the dynamics of l…
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#25: The Cost of Being a Freelancer + Entrepreneur
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You just signed your first client and are ready to cash in that check! But wait! Have you covered all your expenses as an agency owner or freelancer? In this episode of The Design Imposter Podcast, Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins break down some of the basic and unexpected costs associated with being your own boss. From simple $10/m subscriptions…
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#24: Behind the Mic: Starting a Podcast with Evan Dvorkin
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Have you thought of starting your own podcast? Join co-hosts Jessica Valis & Monique Jenkins as they discuss podcasting with the producer of the Design Imposter Podcast—Evan Dvorkin from Your Social Gathering. Evan shares stories about his journey into podcasting and a few insights into the world of podcast hosting and marketing. Want to learn more…
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#23: Career Crossroads: Job Changes + Entrepreneurship
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Have you had entrepreneurship on the brain? On this episode of the Design Imposter, Jessica and Monique discuss corporate work culture, feeling validated in your work, and acknowledging the budding entrepreneur within. Their discussions include knowing when it's time to quit and key steps like building community support, having a financial plan, de…
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#22: Saying No to a Client: Setting Boundaries in Creative Work
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This invaluable episode focuses on the importance of learning to say 'no' to maintain work-life balance, avoid overcommitting, and ensure high quality output. Key topics cover setting boundaries, mental health impacts, client fit evaluation, alternatives like referrals, family prioritization, transition costs of switching tasks, and getting comfort…
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Feeling uninspired, unmotivated, or like a total imposter when it comes to your current design assignment? In this episode, Monique & Jessica discuss the signs of burnout and get vulnerable with their own stories, struggles, and failures. They share methods to overcome burnout, like taking breaks, traveling, or simply asking for help. Recognize bur…
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Have you added business goals to your list of New Year’s resolutions? In this episode of the Design Imposter, Monique and Jessica reveal their personal and professional goals for the new year. From hitting more listeners and increasing marketing for the podcast to setting income goals for the Creative Circle Company, they reassure listeners that it…
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#19: Navigating Disagreement with a Client
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It’s the moment of truth—the design reveal! But the client hates it! How do you handle the criticism and feedback on your design? Join co-hosts Monique and Jessica on The Design Imposter Podcast for an insightful discussion on handling client feedback. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of dealing with clients who are not satisfied wit…
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#18: Identifying the Red Flags of a Terrible Client
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Feel undervalued by your clients? Join us on The Design Imposter Podcast for a crucial discussion on recognizing when a client or project might not be the right fit. In this episode, we explore the early warning signs, from unclear goals to disrespect for your expertise. We delve into communication breakdowns, such as lack of responsiveness or over…
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#17: Defining a Niche + Identifying Your Ideal Client
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Discover the art of defining a niche in our latest episode of The Design Imposter Podcast. We delve into the essential steps of identifying strengths, researching the market, aligning with audience needs, and refining your idea. This episode not only guides you through the process of niche development but also gives an inside look into how The Crea…
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#16: Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals for Designers
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Not sure where to look for designer Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals? Prep your wallet as Monique and Jessica divulge their not-so-secret design must-haves. Whether a graphic designer, website or UX designer, or aspiring entrepreneur and agency owner, here are resources they’ve snagged along their journey. From software discounts to office supply ba…
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#15: Proposal Writing Strategies for Freelance Designers
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Nervous to send that next big proposal? On this episode of the Design Imposter podcast, hosts, Monique and Jessica, discuss their proposal building strategies. They explore various programs for building templates and their unique applications. From Adobe and Google to all-in-one CRMs, and they’ll share the pros and cons of these platforms. If you’r…
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#14: Free Branding Strategies for Professionals
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Starting a business and don't have the capital to splurge on a designer or marketing agency? We've got a few tricks and tips to keep your business brand professional without spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on a designer or designer programs like Adobe. Choose company name and purchase domain Set up professional company email accounts on…
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#13: Must-Have Chrome Extensions for Designers
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Looking for design shortcuts to make life easier while using Chrome? Jessica and Monique are back to spill the tea on Chrome extensions that will revolutionize the way you work! Loom for Asynchronous Video Tutorials UX Check for Heuristic Analysis Tango for Interactive Instructions Identifying Fonts with WhatFont and FontNinja QuillBot for Rewritin…
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Keep your opinions to yourself! The role of politics in business. Join Jessica Valis & Monique Jenkins in this thought-provoking episode as we dive deep into the world of posting political views on your business social media accounts. Social media has become a powerful platform for self-expression and political discourse. But is it a double-edged s…
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Join Monique, a seasoned UX designer, as she reveals her top three UX tips gained over the course of her career. Jessica, co-host, who often feels like a UX impostor, is all ears and eager to bridge the gap in her own design process. They go into detail on why knowing your audience is critical, why simplicity and consistency are your greatest frien…
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#10: 5 Signs It’s Time to Redesign Your Website
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Have you invested in a website only for it to sit dead in the water, generating zero leads? In this episode of Design Imposter, hosts Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins delve into the critical topic of recognizing when it's time to revamp your website to boost lead generation. As business owners, it's vital to ensure your website is a powerful tool …
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#9: Representation in Design: The Ethical Dilemmas of Diversity and Inclusivity
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In this enlightening episode of The Design Imposter Podcast, hosts Monique Jenkins and Jessica Valis embark on a crucial conversation about representation in design. They explore the significance of this topic, emphasizing that representation goes beyond race, encompassing demographics like age, religion, education, and gender. Monique passionately…
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#8: Networking SUCKS: The Necessary Evil that Grows Your Business.
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Would you rather be eaten by an alligator than speak to complete strangers? Welcome to the world of business networking. Join Jessica Valis & Monique Jenkins as they talk about the various networking platforms and strategies. From attending in-person networking events, building social media connections, and attending online webinars to leveraging e…
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#7: What We Wish We Knew: Lessons for New Business Owners
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Is the fear of failure stopping you from launching your business? Join Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins as they discuss what they wish they knew when they first started their design agencies. From questioning the too-good-to-be-true offers to offloading tasks early on, they share relatable insights that anyone, regardless of industry, can take awa…
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What is visual design? And is it a practical career? Understand the basics of visual design and discover a refreshing perspective on embracing a career path in arts and design in this episode of The Design Imposter Podcast. Hosts Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins challenge the age-old notion of the "starving artist" by framing visual design as more…
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AI is shaping the future of marketing. Join us as we explore Jessica Valis' top 3 AI tools for marketing, dissecting their advantages and drawbacks. Alongside co-host Monique Jenkins, they engage in a thought-provoking discussion around the ethical considerations tied to AI use and its impact on authentic brand voices. From the practical benefits t…
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Don’t know where to start when looking for your first client? In this episode of The Design Imposter Podcast, hosts Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins uncover effective methods for securing your first client. This episode is tailored for both creatives and non-creatives alike and explores methods such as attending networking events, portfolio buildi…
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#3: Pricing Strategies for Freelance Designers + Entrepreneurs
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Are you undercharging for your work? Which pricing strategy is best for you? Join hosts Monique Jenkins and Jessica Valis as they discuss the often uncomfortable but crucial topic of pricing strategies. With real client stories as a guide, they navigate the tricky path of setting fair prices while avoiding common pitfalls like undercharging, overde…
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In this episode of The Design Imposter Podcast, hosts Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins take a candid look into the often unspoken struggle of imposter syndrome within the realm of business and design. They help listeners identify the various types of imposter syndrome and open up about their personal encounters with feelings of inadequacy and self…
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#1: Welcome to the Design Imposter Podcast
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Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Design Imposter, the podcast that delves into the dynamic world of imposter syndrome, design, and its transformative power across industries. In this episode, we have the pleasure of introducing your co-hosts: Monique Jenkins, the visionary founder of J.Kins Creative, a groundbreaking design agency committed …
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