Notes From the Studio™

Blogs & Tips from Creative Studio Owners

  1. Read more: How to Get Your First 3 Clients as a Creative (Without Ads)
    How to Get Your First 3 Clients as a Creative (Without Ads)

    How to Get Your First 3 Clients as a Creative (Without Ads)

    by Penelope Stephens

    Your simple, beginner-friendly path to bookings, no paid marketing required. If you’ve been Googling how to get design clients, how to get clients ...
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  2. Read more: How to Build a Freelance Rate Card
    How to Build a Freelance Rate Card

    How to Build a Freelance Rate Card

    by Penelope Stephens

    If you’ve ever sent a quote that made you sweat while pressing “send,” you’re not alone. Most freelancers price without research and present rates ...
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  3. Read more: Your First $10K/Month Creative Business Checklist
    Your First $10K/Month Creative Business Checklist

    Your First $10K/Month Creative Business Checklist

    by Penelope Stephens

    Step 1: Know what you actually sell If your “services” sound vague, clients won’t pay premium rates. Define what problems you solve and what delive...
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  4. Read more: How to Make the Shift From 9-5 to Creative Freelancing Before the End of 2025
    How to Make the Shift From 9-5 to Creative Freelancing Before the End of 2025

    How to Make the Shift From 9-5 to Creative Freelancing Before the End of 2025

    by Penelope Stephens

    A practical guide for people who want freedom without the free fall There’s a difference between hating your job and being ready to leave it.If you...
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  5. Read more: The Boring Way to Build Trust With Clients
    The Boring Way to Build Trust With Clients

    The Boring Way to Build Trust With Clients

    by Penelope Stephens

    Everyone talks about trust like it’s this magical bond that appears after one good Zoom call and a few emojis in your emails. It’s not.Trust doesn’...
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  6. Read more: Why You Need a Contract (Even If You Trust Your Client)
    Why You Need a Contract (Even If You Trust Your Client)

    Why You Need a Contract (Even If You Trust Your Client)

    by Penelope Stephens

    So you're a freelancer or small studio - maybe you're a creative like us?  Well whatever landed you here probably means you work with clients, so l...
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  7. Read more: Essential Interior Design Templates to Streamline Your Business
    Essential Interior Design Templates to Streamline Your Business

    Essential Interior Design Templates to Streamline Your Business

    by Penelope Stephens

    Interior design wasn’t meant to be about admin and client docs… it’s meant to be creative. This week, I was chatting with an interior designer over...
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  8. Read more: 5 Cash Flow Mistakes Freelancers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
    5 Cash Flow Mistakes Freelancers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

    5 Cash Flow Mistakes Freelancers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

    by Penelope Stephens

    Freelancing gives you freedom… right? RIGHT?!?!  Yes…until it doesn’t.  One of the fastest ways to turn that freedom into stress is by mismanaging ...
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