Write Your Own Rulebook
If you're watching other designers book dream clients while you get ghosted, wrestling with imposter syndrome despite your killer skills, or hesitating to raise your rates even though you know your work is worth more – you're not alone.
The traditional "right way" to run a design business feels limiting, and those thousands spent on courses that promised answers are collecting dust in your downloads folder.
Trying to come up with all of the answers alone is nearly impossible (and fucking frustrating).
Let's cut through the bullshit: raw talent isn't enough. You can be the most amazing designer in the room, but without strategic direction, you're leaving money and opportunities on the table.
The harsh reality? Even brilliant designers get stuck in these patterns. They make business decisions based on gut feelings rather than strategy, fall down endless YouTube rabbit holes at 2am looking for answers, and get whiplash from conflicting advice in Facebook groups. If you're nodding along, here's the truth: it's not about working harder or being more talented. It's about working strategically. And strategy? That's where I come in.
Real Talk
Your Path to Strategic Success
Every designer's journey is different, which is why I've created three distinct ways to level up your business, each designed to meet you exactly where you are.
The Designers' Cohort
From free to $15/month
- Active Discord channels
- Live expert sessions
- Weekly coworking
Your no-bullshit creative family
The Strategy Table
$119/month
- Monthly hot seat consulting
- Weekly group chat access with me
- Dedicated strategy channel
- Full Cohort membership included
WHERE STRATEGY MEETS MASTERMIND MAGIC
The Studio Strategist
$3K with payment plans
- 6 - 60 minute strategy sessions
- Comprehensive strategy document
- Implementation guidance & support
- 3 month Strategy Table access
A 3-Month Brand Strategy Intensive
I have so much clarity in what I offer to my clients, and encouragement to raise my prices (crazy considering I thought they were already high).
Meaghan johnson, Millson + Main
I have a better idea of who exactly I’m targeting and talking to. After one call I redid some copy on my website to talk more to pain points of my archetypes, and the first inquiry I got afterwards specifically pointed out how spot on my copy was that it was her.
The Designers' Cohort
Your no-bullshit creative family for the girls, gays, and theys
The whole "lone wolf designer" thing? It's BS. Every successful designer has a circle of people who get it - who understand why you're still tweaking that logo at midnight or why that client's feedback made you want to throw your laptop out the window.
But finding your people? That's the hard part. Especially when you're tired of surface-level networking and Instagram-perfect success stories.
What's Included:
- Live expert chats with industry leaders sharing their processes and insights
- Library of 40+ recorded sessions with previous guests
- Monthly planning calls to keep you focused and accountable
- Weekly coworking sessions (morning, afternoon, and night owls welcome!)
- Active channels for pricing, systems, tools, and real talk
- Exclusive designer retreats (past meetups have been in Atlanta, Houston, and Nashville)
Discord membership tiers range from free to $15/month.
The Strategy Table
WHERE STRATEGY MEETS MASTERMIND MAGIC
Group programs are usually a mess of generic advice and surface-level feedback. You know the type - where everyone's nodding along but nobody's actually getting what they need.
This isn't that. Think of it as your strategic war room, where we actually solve real problems and create actual plans. No fluff, no filler, just focused strategy sessions that move the needle.
What's Included:
- 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
Investment
The Studio Strategist
Your Strategic Partner in Crime
What's Included:
- 6 - 60 minute strategy calls over 3 months
- Implementation guidance between calls
- A comprehensive strategy document
- 3 months free access to The Strategy Table (a $357 value)
- Private Discord channel for quick questions
Investment
Let's be real - you're not here for some cookie-cutter strategy. You need someone who can dive deep into your specific vision, pull apart every aspect of your business, and help you rebuild it in a way that actually makes sense for YOU.
This is for designers who are done fucking around and ready to get serious. You know those big goals living in your head? The ones your brain keeps blocking you from? This is where we break through roadblocks with real accountability and zero excuses.
I'm not here to hold your hand - I'm here to be your strategic partner in crime. Someone who sees the full picture, challenges your assumptions when needed, and helps you turn those "someday" ideas into "hell yes, we're doing this" reality. No templates, no generic solutions. Just focused strategy that turns your specific challenges into opportunities.
Working with Melissa was such a relief
Ashleigh, Standard Operations
I needed to get out of my own head and see my brand from the outside and I knew I couldn’t do it intentionally without help. Melissa made me face what my brand was right now, actually put on paper what I wanted my brand to be, then walked me through how I can get there from where I am now.
Why Work With Me?
Strategy isn't just a buzzword here - it's the difference between staying stuck and building something remarkable. With 7 years of helping designers transform their businesses, I know that success comes from having a clear plan, not just working harder.
My approach? Raw honesty mixed with proven strategy. I'll help you see what makes your work uniquely valuable and build a business framework that feels authentic to you.
I learned so much!!
Daniella, Laural Leaf MArketing
I learned what audience I want to attract and how to position myself, what I want my brand voice to sound like, what type of questions to include in a contact form to make sure I’m attracting the right type of clients, how to price my services, and how to narrow down my services so that I’m only offering the work I enjoy doing and I can confidently offer.
Frequently Asked questions
How much time should I expect to commit?
What's the difference between The Strategy Table and The Studio Strategist?
The Strategy Table is group consulting in a mastermind format. You'll get hot seat coaching, group accountability, and collective problem-solving. The Studio Strategist is 1:1 consulting focused solely on your business, with dedicated strategy sessions and personalized action plans.
The Designers Cohort: Completely flexible. Pop in for coworking sessions, expert chats, or daily discussions whenever works for you.
The Strategy Table: Plan for the monthly hot seat session plus 1-2 hours weekly for group discussions and implementation work.
The Studio Strategist: Two 60 minute calls per month + the 2ish hours a week do complete the homework and implementation.
Can I upgrade or change between services?
How do I know which option is right for me?
Choose The Designers Cohort if you want ongoing community support, feedback on your work, and connection with fellow designers who get it.
Join The Strategy Table if you already have some strategic direction but need accountability, feedback, and support actually implementing it. Perfect for designers who learn well from others' experiences and want regular group conversations.
Pick The Studio Strategist if you need a complete strategic overhaul - we'll develop your full brand strategy from the ground up and create a detailed roadmap for your business. This is for designers ready to stop guessing and get a clear, customized strategy for their specific business
Absolutely. Many designers start in the community, move to The Strategy Table when ready for more strategic support, and transition to 1:1 consulting when they need focused attention on specific challenges.
Ready To Level Up?
P.S. Looking to white label strategy for your clients? Email me the deets and let's chat.