This one is for designers
Strategic consulting for designers is back in action... but in a different way.
I fucking love helping other designers.
While I do brand strategy for all kinds of businesses, there’s something special about helping my own community shine. Back in 2020, I created The Designers’ Cohort because I was tired of working by myself and needed people who would understand why I hate the new Dubsado rebrand (ahem 👀). That grew into helping designers figure out what makes them stand out in 2022 with consulting and now in 2025, I’m adding to it.
Most designers are drowning in a sea of “proven frameworks” and “foolproof systems” that just leave them feeling more lost than before. I’ve seen too many talented people try to force themselves into someone else’s business model and lose what makes them special in the process.
I’ve decided to rebirth a service I sunsetted in 2023, not because it didn’t work, but because I didn’t have the time for it back then. Now that I’m more settled, I want to reopen what I once called ‘Consulting for Designers” with a new name: The Studio Strategist.
The Studio Strategist is a 3 month partnership with me where we basically tear your brand apart and then put it back together in a way that actually works for you. We’ll have bi-weekly calls to break down everything from your brand’s purpose and target audience to your differentiators and messaging tactics. I’ll listen to how you describe your services and process from onboarding to off boarding and then help you figure out where you stand out in the mind of your audience. At the end you’ll walk away with a nice overview of the work we did together and more importantly how to implement it. This is for designers that not only want to work on their brand strategy but will also take the time to do the work and implement the changes.
Here are the details:
6 - 60 minute strategy calls over 3 months
Implementation guidance between calls
A comprehensive strategy document
3 months of free access to The Strategy Table (a $357 value)
Private Discord channel for quick questions
But what if you already have some strategy and just need help making it work?
That’s why I’ve also introduced The Strategy Table, a group consulting service for designers that have an idea of what the inner workings of their brand is, but can’t quite figure out how to make it work. I would call this a mastermind but I’m not trying to teach you how to copy someone else’s success. This is about giving you the tools you need to shine your own spotlight on your brand and implementing the strategy you already have.
Here are the details:
Monthly hot seat consulting sessions to tackle your biggest challenges
Weekly group chat access for quick strategy support
Direct access to me and your fellow designers
Implementation guidance and accountability
Full access to The Designers' Cohort included
I’ve heard on multiple occasions how designers have taken popular courses to learn the “secret” ways to run a branding studio, copy it, then are disappointed when it doesn’t work. Well I wouldn’t be surprised when you’re taking someone else’s secret sauce and applying it to your unique brand.
Let's be real: Your brand isn't failing because you're not good enough - it's struggling because you're trying to be someone else.
During each of these services, my goal is to help you shine in your own way, strategically. We’ll look at all of the moving parts in your brand and determine what make you uniquely you through strategic thinking, not an oversaturated process.
P.S. Our first Strategy Table call is happening on March 4th!
If you’re not a designer and think this sounds like something that would benefit you as well, you can apply for my regular strategy workshops to go through a similar process.
Until next time,
Melissa 🫡
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