Joanna just got back from her fourth DXP retreat, and she's sharing everything: what the experience is really like, what happens during those four days at the ranch in Show Low, Arizona, what makes it different from other industry events, and why she keeps going back year after year.

DXP (Designer Experience) is Showit's invite-only retreat for design partners. It's part working session, part creative retreat, and part summer camp for adults, and it's one of the most valuable experiences Joanna makes time for in her business every single year.

In this episode, we're covering everything you need to know about DXP, and why Joanna thinks every Showit designer should attend at least once!

Topics We Cover

• What Showit DXP actually is
• Why Joanna attends every year
• What kind of event is DXP? (Retreat, meeting, conference?)
• Who's invited to attend
• Walking through the full DXP experience
• Day one at the Showit office
• Accommodations and amenities at the ranch
• What goes on during those few days at the retreat
• The terrain and weather in Show Low
• What the vibe is like
• What stands out most when you first arrive
• Joanna's biggest takeaway (mindset shifts, not tech)
• Having real, honest conversations with other designers
• Running new business ideas by friends at DXP
• Why events like DXP are valuable for business owners
• Making connections that last all year
• Showit platform updates coming soon
• Is DXP worth the investment?
• What to know before you go (bring layers, chapstick, comfy clothes)
• What Joanna wishes she'd done differently
• Why you should just go (even if you don't know anyone yet)

Time Stamps

02:25 – Joanna just got back from DXP

02:49 – What is Showit DXP?

03:23 – Why Joanna attends every year

03:49 – Is it work or fun?

04:44 – What kind of event is it?

05:37 – Who's invited?

06:17 – Walking through the experience

07:40 – Day one at Showit office

08:27 – What's it like in Show Low?

10:16 – Weather and terrain

12:23 – What's the vibe like?

14:31 – What was different this year?

15:16 – Joanna's biggest takeaway

19:26 – Did anything change about your business thinking?

24:37 – New Showit updates coming

28:24 – Is DXP worth the investment?

30:51 – What to know before you go

31:48 – What Joanna wishes she'd done differently

32:48 – Advice for introverts

35:48 – Final thoughts on DXP

Links & Resources Mentioned

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Events & Programs Mentioned:

• Showit DXP (Designer Experience retreat): dxp.showit.com/
• Showit Spark (larger conference-style event): spark.showit.com/

Tools Mentioned:

• Workflow (design revision feedback and project management tool): www.workflow.design/

We're talking all about imposter syndrome: what it is, why it shows up at every stage of business (not just when you're starting out), and how to deal with it when those self-doubts creep in.

In this episode, we're sharing our personal experiences with imposter syndrome, from sending client work for review to raising prices to becoming more visible online. We're talking about why comparison on social media makes it worse, and what actually helps when those doubts show up.

We're also covering specific situations where imposter syndrome tends to hit hardest: when you're creating new offers, pivoting your business, raising your prices, or growing your audience. And we're sharing lots of practical tips for pushing through it.

Topics We Cover

• Why you can know your stuff and still feel anxious
• Does imposter syndrome ever actually go away?
• Why it shows up at every stage of business
• How comparison on social media feeds imposter syndrome
• Feeling intimidated by successful people in your industry
• What helps push past early doubts
• Finding community with other entrepreneurs
• Why success doesn't eliminate self-doubt
• How slow seasons bring imposter syndrome back
• Worrying about what your audience will think when you pivot
• The fear of being watched while you fail
• Why other people don't care as much as you think they do
• Imposter syndrome when raising your prices
• Imposter syndrome when you become more visible online
• Practical tips for moving through imposter syndrome
• Why planning reduces self-doubt

Time Stamps

01:26 – Why you can still feel anxious even when you know your stuff

04:48 – Practicing vs. actually performing

05:17 – Have you ever felt like "who am I to be doing this"?

06:13 – Sending client work and thinking they'll hate it

07:24 – Does imposter syndrome ever go away?

08:02 – It shows up at every stage

09:35 – Comparison on social media

11:16 – Feeling intimidated early in business

12:38 – What helped push past early doubts

15:08 – Does it disappear once you've been in business a while?

16:36 – Slow seasons bring it back

17:43 – Why success doesn't eliminate self-doubt

18:01 – What helps as an experienced business owner

21:09 – Imposter syndrome when offering something new

23:18 – Worrying what your audience will think

24:50 – Why other people don't care as much as you think

25:45 – Imposter syndrome when raising prices

30:27 – Becoming more visible online

35:29 – Tips for moving through imposter syndrome

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Episodes Referenced:

• Episode 12: Business Pivots: When (and How) to Change Direction

We're breaking down everything you need to know about affiliate marketing: what it is, how it works, why companies create affiliate programs in the first place, and how to choose which products and services to promote. We're also sharing which affiliate programs we use in our own businesses, how we promote them, and what realistic income expectations look like.

Spoiler alert: Affiliate marketing isn't actually passive. It requires effort and intention. But it's still one of the easiest second income streams you can add to your business without majorly increasing your workload.

We're also tackling common misconceptions, sharing mistakes people make, and giving you practical tips for getting started today.

Topics We Cover

• What we first imagined when we heard "passive income"
• What affiliate marketing actually is
• How we use affiliate marketing in our businesses
• Why companies create affiliate programs
• Why affiliate marketing works better when it feels natural
• Is affiliate marketing actually passive income?
• The Amazon Influencer program (and how it works)
• Different ways to promote affiliate links (blog posts, podcasts, YouTube, email newsletters, resources pages)
• How to choose which companies to work with for affiliate income
• Why you should only promote products you've actually used
• Saying no to affiliate opportunities that aren't a good fit
• Tools and companies we promote (Showit, Tonic, 17 Hats, Honeybook, Flodesk, Contract Club, and more)
• How to stay consistent with promoting your affiliates
• Keeping your affiliate links organized
• Realistic expectations for affiliate income
• How long it takes to see meaningful income
• Common misconceptions about affiliate marketing
• Biggest mistakes people make with affiliate marketing
• Why every business should have multiple revenue streams
• Where to look for affiliate programs in your business

Time Stamps

03:31 – What did you first imagine when you heard "passive income"?

04:47 – First thoughts about affiliate marketing

06:18 – What is affiliate marketing?

06:52 – How we use affiliate marketing in our businesses

08:34 – Why companies create affiliate programs

10:32 – Why it works better when it feels natural

13:05 – Is affiliate marketing actually passive income?

15:45 – Different ways to promote affiliate links

15:45 – How to choose companies to work with

16:40 – Saying no to opportunities that aren't a good fit

18:25 – Tools and companies we promote

20:37 – Staying consistent with promotions

22:25 – Keeping affiliate links organized

25:36 – Realistic expectations for affiliate income

28:08 – Misconceptions about affiliate marketing

31:12 – Biggest mistakes with affiliate marketing

31:35 – Should every business have multiple revenue streams?

33:39 – Where to look for affiliate programs

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Affiliate Programs & Tools Mentioned:

• Showit (website platform): Get 1 month free!
• Tonic (design templates for Showit and Canva)
• 17 Hats (CRM)
• Honeybook (CRM)
• Flodesk (email marketing): Get 50% off your first year!
• Interact (quiz creator)
• Tailwind (Pinterest scheduling)
• Rank for Revenue (SEO course by Sarah Does SEO)
• Acuity (scheduling tool)
• ManyChat (Instagram automation)
• The Contract Club (website policies and contracts)
• The Legal Paige (website policies and contracts)
• BDOW (pop-up opt-in forms)
• Hautet Stock and Elevate Visuals (stock photos)
• Booked Out Designer (Showit Designer Course by Elizabeth McCravy)
• Podcast Success Blueprint (Podcasting Course by Elizabeth McCravy)
• Amazon Influencer Program

This is the first episode in our branding miniseries, and we're starting with the foundation: what branding actually is (and what it isn't). We're breaking down the difference between brand identity (the visual stuff) and brand messaging (how you communicate), why most people jump straight to visuals, and what happens when your beautiful design doesn't match your messaging.

We're also sharing examples of brands that get it right–like Oatly, Ritz Carlton, and Southwest Airlines–and walking you through practical exercises you can do today to start building or refining your brand strategy. Whether you're starting from scratch or wondering if your current branding is working, this episode will help you understand what a cohesive brand really looks like.

Topics We Cover

• The Jaguar rebrand controversy and why it missed the mark
• What people think branding is vs. what it actually is
• The difference between brand strategy, brand identity, and brand messaging
• Why every business has a brand (whether they realize it or not)
• Common misconceptions about branding
• Why branding isn't just for big companies
• Why a logo alone doesn't make a strong brand
• Why people jump straight to visuals (and why messaging should come first)
• Why consistency is what makes brands memorable
• Where to start if you want to improve your brand today
• The Pinterest "brand room" exercise (Joanna's favorite branding activity)
• Why you should start with strategy before visuals

Time Stamps

00:43 – The Jaguar rebrand controversy

01:47 – What people think branding is

02:49 – What is branding really?

04:24 – Explaining branding in simple terms

06:28 – Do all businesses have a brand?

06:58 – Misconception: Branding is just for big companies

07:31 – Misconception: Branding is just a logo

08:23 – Misconception: Good visuals = strong brand

09:22 – Why people jump straight to visuals

10:11 – Businesses with good design but confusing messaging

11:13 – Branding terminology: Brand voice

11:50 – Branding terminology: Brand identity

12:34 – Should messaging or visuals come first?

13:41 – Can two brands have similar visuals but different audiences?

15:07 – Brands with really strong messaging

16:48 – Instantly recognizable brands

20:20 – Why consistency matters

21:09 – Visual consistency vs. experience: Which creates loyalty?

22:00 – Where to start improving your brand today

27:10 – Start with strategy

Links & Resources Mentioned

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Kate Putnam Brand Identity Quiz — Find your brand archetype and get direction for your visual identity: kayeputnam.com/brandality-quiz/

We're talking all about automations and how they can save you hours every week in your business. From streamlining admin tasks to managing your client workflow, automations are one of the best investments you can make as a small business owner.

In this episode, we're sharing our personal experiences with implementing automations, what tasks you should automate first, and exactly which tools we use to run our businesses more efficiently. We're also addressing the biggest concerns people have about automations, like whether they make your business feel impersonal or whether they're too complicated to set up.

If you're still doing everything manually (or if you're curious about what you could be automating), this episode will give you practical ideas for where to start.

Topics We Cover

• When we realized we needed systems and automations in our businesses
• The tasks that were taking way longer than they should (and how we fixed them)
• Why most business owners wait too long to start automating
• What automation actually means in a small business
• Why automation feels intimidating (and why it doesn't have to be)
• The difference between different CRMs (17 Hats, Honeybook, Dubsado)
• Which tasks you should automate first
• What a CRM actually does and why it saves the most time
• How to add personal touches even with automated workflows
• Project management tools: Basecamp, Asana, ClickUp, Trello
• Email marketing platforms: Flodesk, Mailerlite, Mailchimp
• Scheduling systems: Calendly, Acuity
• Social media scheduling: Planoly, Tailwind
• Why automation creates freedom
• Where to start first

Time Stamps

05:21 – When did you realize you needed systems and automations?

06:50 – Tasks that were taking way too long

08:00 – What it was like running your business before automating

09:01 – Things you did manually that now seem ridiculous

11:18 – Why business owners wait too long to automate

13:15 – What does automation actually mean?

13:56 – Why automation feels intimidating

15:28 – Why it can be complicated (but doesn't have to be)

16:00 – Choosing the right programs for your business

17:19 – What tasks should you automate first?

19:26 – What is a CRM and what can it do?

23:04 – Adding personal touches to automated workflows

24:55 – Different CRMs for different business needs

25:10 – What is a project management tool?

28:16 – Using project management purely for your own organization

29:53 – How automations save time in project management

32:54 – Email marketing platforms and automation

36:09 – Scheduling systems like Calendly

37:07 – Social media scheduling platforms

40:42 – Automation doesn't have to be complicated

41:26 – Automation creates freedom

42:47 – Where to start with automations

Links & Resources Mentioned

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Tools Mentioned:

• CRMs: 17 Hats, Honeybook, Dubsado, Moxie
• Project Management: Basecamp, Asana, ClickUp, Trello
• Email Marketing: Flodesk (get 50% off your first year), Mailerlite, Mailchimp
• Scheduling: Calendly, Acuity
• Social Media: Planoly, Tailwind

We're tackling the work-life balance myth head-on. Spoiler alert: we don't think it's achievable. And we don't think that's a bad thing.

In this episode, we're talking about where the concept of work-life balance came from, why it creates more guilt than peace, and what we should be chasing instead. We're sharing our own experiences with trying (and failing) to achieve perfect balance, how parenthood and entrepreneurship changed our perspectives, and why flexibility might be the real goal all along.

If you've been beating yourself up for not having it all figured out, this conversation will give you permission to let go of the balance myth and embrace something better.

Topics We Cover

• Whether we think work-life balance is actually achievable as entrepreneurs
• Where the concept of work-life balance came from (and why it's always been unrealistic)
• How being a parent vs. an employee vs. an entrepreneur changes your view on balance
• Dianna's naive expectations of entrepreneurship and work-life balance
• Joanna's realization that balance is impossible as a parent
• The moments that made us realize balance isn't realistic
• How there's always something to do (and why you can never turn it off)
• The seasons when work 100% takes over (launches, projects, holidays, vacation prep)
• Why we'd never trade flexibility for technically free weekends
• The guilt that comes from trying to force balance
• Why we're actually chasing flexibility, not balance
• How flexibility is different from balance (and why there's less guilt)
• Shifting priorities in different seasons of life and business
• Why reminding yourself that seasons don't last forever prevents burnout

Time Stamps

03:52 – Do you think work-life balance can exist as a business owner?

05:08 – Where the work-life balance concept came from

07:01 – Balance as a parent vs. employee vs. entrepreneur

08:06 – Did you expect entrepreneurship to give you more or less balance?

10:00 – Reality check: Business takes all your free time

11:16 – There's always something to do

12:40 – When work 100% takes over

13:21 – We'd never trade this flexibility

14:18 – The moment you realized balance isn't realistic

16:27 – Living with the fact that the to-do list is never done

17:14 – What happens when you try to force balance

18:16 – What does balance actually mean?

19:43 – What if we're chasing flexibility, not balance?

20:37 – How flexibility is different from balance

24:13 – Flexibility in different seasons

24:42 – What would you say to someone chasing balance?

25:26 – The mindset shift that helps most

27:24 – Seasons won't last forever

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Episode 8: Setting Boundaries in Your Business

Episode 10: Why Your Why Matters

Episode 5: Annual Goal Setting for Entrepreneurs

Last week, we talked about the trust recession and how social proof is more important now than ever before. So this week, we're diving deep into everything you need to know about client testimonials: how to ask for them, what questions to ask to get compelling answers, when to follow up, and how to use them strategically on your website.

We're also breaking down a real testimonial example to show you how to pull out the most impactful pieces, what you can (and can't) edit ethically, and where to place them on your site for maximum impact. Whether you're brand new and only have one testimonial or you have dozens and don't know which to use, this episode will help you make the most of your social proof.

Topics We Cover

1. Why getting testimonials is harder than it seems
2. Dianna's process for gathering testimonials (with a freebie!)
3. Joanna's process using questionnaires in 17Hats
4. How to ask specific questions that get better answers
5. The difference between vague and specific testimonial questions
6. Live examples: Asking the wrong vs. right questions
7. When to send testimonial requests
8. How many times to follow up without being annoying
9. Where testimonials have the biggest impact on your website
10. Why you shouldn't have a dedicated testimonials page
11. Using testimonials at decision-making points on your site
12. What you can and can't do ethically with testimonials
13. Pulling testimonials from emails, DMs, and social media comments
14. Breaking down a real testimonial example
15. How to make the most of one testimonial when you're just starting out
16. What to do when you have too many testimonials to choose from

Time Stamps

03:43 – Why getting testimonials is harder than it seems

04:50 – How Joanna learned to get better testimonials

06:06 – Dianna's process for gathering testimonials

09:29 – When and how to follow up

13:14 – Client Voice Hacking Guide (free download below!)

13:48 – Examples of vague vs. specific questions

18:40 – Following up without being annoying

22:37 – What you can and can't do with testimonials

25:23 – Where to use testimonials on your website

27:27 – Using testimonials at decision-making points

30:15 – Pulling testimonials from DMs and emails

33:37 – Breaking down a real testimonial example

36:16 – What to do when you're brand new and don't have many testimonials

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Free download: Client Voice Hacking Guide — Dianna's exact process and questions for getting compelling testimonials (https://risecopyco.myflodesk.com/clientvoicehackingguide)

Episode 14: Navigating the Trust Recession (referenced in this episode) Listen on Apple // Listen on Spotify

We're in what marketing experts are calling a "trust recession," and it's changing the way people buy online. Consumers are more skeptical, they're taking longer to make decisions, and they're looking for authenticity over perfectly polished content. In this episode, we're breaking down what the trust recession is, why it's happening, and most importantly, what you can do about it.

Instead of leaving you with doom and gloom, we're spending most of this episode on actionable strategies you can use right now to build trust with your audience — from showing up authentically on camera to using social proof the right way, building genuine relationships, and showing people you're a real human behind your business.

Topics We Cover

1. What the trust recession is and how it's affecting online business
2. Why people aren't buying as easily as they were a few years ago
3. The boom during the pandemic and the oversaturation of online businesses
4. How Gen Z's buying behavior differs from previous generations
5. Why AI is making the trust problem worse
6. Showing up authentically on camera (and alternatives if that feels uncomfortable)
7. The importance of brand photography
8. How to share client testimonials and social proof the right way
9. Sharing the process vs. overnight success stories
10. Why your website and branding need to stand out
11. Using templates while still being authentic
12. The role of discovery calls in building trust
13. Building genuine relationships on social media instead of just chasing sales
14. The importance of doing what you say you're going to do

Time Stamps

04:05 – What is the trust recession?

05:04 – How our personal shopping habits have changed

07:19 – What the trust recession means for online business

09:29 – Why people have become so skeptical

12:27 – Gen Z's different approach to buying online

15:35 – How AI is making the trust problem worse

16:50 – Joanna's story of getting scammed buying lawn furniture

20:51 – How Gen Z views authority differently

23:18 – What we can do to combat the trust recession

23:27 – Showing up authentically on camera

25:48 – The importance of brand photography

26:53 – Retiring filters and showing up as yourself 28:08 –

How to share client testimonials the right way 29:41 – Sharing the process vs. overnight success

32:32 – Sharing failures and things that didn't work

33:05 – Authentic branding and messaging

35:08 – Making your messaging transparent without overwhelming

37:27 – Email marketing and newsletters as trust-building tools

37:46 – Building genuine relationships on social media

40:26 – The role of discovery calls in the sales process

44:14 – The importance of doing what you say you're going to do

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Showit is our favorite website builder, and today we're breaking down exactly why. From the creative freedom it offers to the incredible community behind it, there are so many reasons we love working with (and on) this platform.

Whether you're a designer looking for more flexibility or a business owner who wants to be able to update your own site without needing an engineering degree, Showit might be the perfect fit.

In this episode, we're covering how we each discovered Showit, what makes it different from other platforms, the biggest misconceptions floating around about it, and answering all your frequently asked questions in rapid-fire style.

Topics We Cover

1. How Joanna discovered Showit as a frustrated wedding photographer in 2015
2. Dianna's experience switching from WordPress to Showit
3. The history of Showit: From slideshow presentations to website builder
4. What Showit is and how it works (drag and drop, creative freedom, WordPress blog integration)
5. How Showit compares to other platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress
6. Myth-busting: "It's not a real website if you don't code it"
7. Myth-busting: "Showit is hard to navigate"
8. The truth about SEO on Showit (spoiler: it works just fine)
9. Why Joanna chose to design in Showit: Creative freedom, ease of use, community, company values
10. Dianna's experience as a Showit user (not a designer)
11. Why clients switch to Showit from other platforms
12. How to know if Showit is the right platform for your business
13. Rapid-fire FAQ: Hosting, blogs, pricing plans, mobile design, e-commerce, custom code, cookie banners, email, and forms

Time Stamps

01:46 – How Joanna discovered Showit in 2015

03:18 – Dianna's experience switching from WordPress

04:55 – The history of Showit and their community focus

07:23 – What is Showit? 08:13 – How Showit compares to other platforms

09:09 – Biggest misconceptions about Showit

11:34 – The truth about SEO on Showit

13:48 – Why SEO is a long game on any platform

16:05 – Why Joanna chose to work with Showit

18:57 – Dianna's experience as a Showit user

21:07 – Why people switch to Showit 21:51 – How to know if Showit is right for you

23:55 – Rapid-fire FAQ section begins

29:49 – Random question: Would you rename yourself?

Links & Resources Mentioned

Showit! Get your first month free: https://account.showit.com/r/joanna

Joanna's Showit SEO blog post: joannamoss.com/showit-seo-myths-shattered/

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Sarah Does SEO - Rank for Revenue course – A GREAT course for designers or other service providers looking to learn SEO and add it as a service for clients. https://0628--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/rank-for-revenue/

Showit cookie banner tutorial: https://learn.showit.com/en/articles/1235058-eu-cookie-law

Pivoting in your career or business isn't a sign of failure. It's a normal, healthy part of growth. But there's often this underlying fear that comes with making a big change: What will people think? Am I giving up? Should I push through instead?

In this episode, we're talking about all things pivots – from switching careers before entrepreneurship to making shifts within your business, and everything in between. We share our own pivot stories, why pivoting is more socially acceptable now than it was for our parents' generation, and how to prepare yourself (and your audience) when it's time to make a change.

Topics We Cover

1. Our personal pivot stories and the big shifts we've made
2. How career pivoting has changed generationally
3. Why our parents' generation stayed in one job, but ours doesn't
4. The different types of business pivots (career changes, corporate to entrepreneur, hobby to side hustle, side hustle to full business, and pivots within your business)
5. The difference between a pivot and growth or evolution
6. Why the fear of pivoting is more internal than external (hello, imposter syndrome)
7. How to prepare your mindset before making a pivot
8. Having conversations with your family about career changes
9. How to warm up your audience to a pivot instead of announcing it out of nowhere
10. Why most millionaires have 7 streams of income and how that helps with pivoting
11. How to know when it's time to quit versus push through a hard season
12. De-stigmatizing quitting and doing it properly
13. The difference between quitting a service vs. quitting your business

Time Stamps

03:10 – Why pivots are a normal part of entrepreneurship

04:18 – The different types of pivots we're covering in this episode

05:04 – Joanna's pivot story: From photography to web design

07:25 – Dianna's career shifts before starting her business

09:43 – How our upbringing shaped our perception of pivoting careers

12:32 – Why career changes are more socially acceptable now

15:51 – Dianna's experience with both traditional and non-traditional career models

16:23 – Is there less pressure on kids now to find a forever career?

22:21 – Aging out of careers and continuing to pivot as you grow

25:04 – Multiple streams of income and side hustles

29:04 – Is the fear of pivoting external or internal?

30:37 – How to prepare yourself for a big pivot

34:27 – Having conversations with family and your audience about pivots

38:10 – How to know when it's time to quit vs. push through

41:13 – Teaching kids (and ourselves) when it's okay to quit

42:00 – The benefit of flexibility as a small business owner

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Episode 10: Why Your Why Matters (referenced in this episode) Listen on Apple / Listen on Spotify

The answer isn't one-size-fits-all — it depends on where you are in your business journey and what your goals are for the project. In this episode, we're breaking down when to start with copy, when to start with design, and how to make the smartest investment for your business right now.

Whether you're ready to scale or you're still in early growth mode, this episode will help you make the right choice for your website.

Topics We Cover

1. The difference between what design does and what copy does on your website
2. Why your approach might be different depending on your season of business
3. Meet Sarah: An established business owner ready to refine and scale
4. Why Sarah should start with copy before investing in design
5. How copy dictates the structure, hierarchy, and conversions on your site
6. Meet Paige: A newer business owner in the early growth stage
7. Why Paige should start with a design template to guide her DIY copy
8. The benefit of starting with a wireframe instead of a blank page
9. When it's okay to hire a copywriter midway through a template project
10. What NOT to do: investing in custom design with placeholder copy
11. How to restructure a template once your copy is done

Time Stamps

04:09 – The difference between design and copy on your website

05:10 – Why your approach may differ depending on your business season

05:22 – Meet Sarah: An established business owner ready to scale 06:33 – Why Sarah should start with copy before design

09:37 – Meet Paige: A newer business owner in early growth mode

11:54 – Why starting with a template helps Paige write her own copy

12:09 – Unpopular opinion: You don't need a custom website to be successful

12:55 – What to do when you get stuck writing copy with a template

13:30 – What NOT to do: Custom design with placeholder copy

14:41 – How to customize your template once the copy is finished

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Joanna's Showit templates with free content documents: joannamoss.com/showit-website-templates

Showit - our favorite website design platform: https://account.showit.com/r/joanna

When you're clear on why you started your business and what keeps you going, decision-making becomes easier, guilt becomes lighter, and your marketing becomes more authentic. In this episode, we're diving into why knowing your why is so important, how to discover it (or rediscover it), and what happens when you actually honor it in your business decisions.

Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years, this conversation will help you reconnect with what really matters.

Topics We Cover

1. What a "why" actually is and why it matters in your business
2. How our whys have evolved over the years (flexibility, freedom, and impact)
3. Using your why as a pillar to make business decisions without guilt
4. Why your why is a better motivator than willpower alone
5. How your why helps you say no to the wrong opportunities
6. The connection between your why and your marketing/storytelling
7. Journal prompts to help you discover or reconnect with your why
8. What happens when you honor your why vs. when you ignore it
9. Using your why to avoid shiny object syndrome and stay on track
10. How to know when your why has shifted or evolved

Time Stamps

03:50 – Discussing eachother’s why

05:50 – How we each discovered our whys

07:29 – How our whys changed over the years

08:50 – Falling back on your why as a decision-making tool

11:07 – Your why becomes your guiding light in business

12:15 – How your why helps you decide what to keep and what to drop

12:45 – Why motivation alone isn't enough

13:27 – It's okay if your why changes and evolves

13:50 – Journal prompts to help you discover your why

15:07 – Tips for people who don't love journaling

16:54 – How your why connects to your marketing and storytelling

17:51 – What happens when you honor your why

19:10 – Examples of honoring your why in real business decisions

21:08 – Takeaway: Finish the sentence "I'm building this business because..."

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

At the start of a new year, it’s easy to get caught up in goal-setting and planning without actually taking the time to refresh the digital spaces that support those goals. In this episode, we walk through a practical, step-by-step annual website checkup you can do to keep your site aligned with your evolving brand, audience, and offers.

We’re breaking this into two parts: quick maintenance checks you should do every year, and bigger-picture updates that help elevate your site as your business grows.

If your website hasn’t had a proper review in a while, this episode gives you an easy starting point.

Topics We Cover

• Why the beginning of the year is the perfect time for a website audit

• Annual maintenance tasks: links, typos, CTAs, and footer updates

• Making sure your messaging and brand voice still align with your audience

• Checking brand consistency across fonts, photos, and colors

• Using analytics and behavior tools to find friction points on your site

• Updating SEO basics like keywords, page titles, redirects, and speed

• Refreshing blog posts and updating year-specific content

• How to elevate your site without doing a full redesign

• Updating offers, pricing, and messaging to match business goals

• Why brand photos should be refreshed regularly

• Adjusting visuals and SEO if your audience or market has shifted

Time Stamps

02:41 – Why your website needs an annual checkup

03:23 – Website maintenance vs. website elevation updates

04:39 – Copy updates: typos, CTAs, and brand voice consistency

07:48 – Design updates: links, visuals, and friction points

10:19 – SEO maintenance checks for the new year

13:34 – Updating blog content that already performs well

14:09 – Elevating your site without redesigning it

15:51 – Updating messaging, offers, and pricing

17:45 – Refreshing brand photography

18:26 – Visual branding tweaks vs. full rebrands

19:58 – Adjusting SEO if your audience or service area changes

21:13 – Free website checklist download

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna’s copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna’s web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

From communication expectations and response times, to scope creep, revisions, automation, and work-life balance, this conversation is full of practical examples and mindset shifts to help you create boundaries that support both you and your clients.

If you’ve ever felt resentful, overwhelmed, or stuck in “always on” mode, this episode will help you rethink what boundaries can look like, and why they matter so much.

In This Episode, We Cover:

1. Why boundaries aren’t rules for rules’ sake
2. Setting communication boundaries with clients (and yourself)
3. The danger of being “too flexible”
4. Using automation to protect your time without hurting conversion
5. Scope of work, contracts, and revision boundaries
6. Creating work boundaries that align with your why
7. How boundaries actually lead to better client experiences

Links & Resources Mentioned:

1. HoneyBook & 17hats - Our favorite CRM tools (https://share.honeybook.com/risecopyco & http://joannamoss.com/17hats)
2. Calendly - For seamless calendar scheduling (https://calendly.com/)
3. ManyChat - For setting up automations on Instagram (https://manychat.com)

Time Stamps:

01:46 – Why boundaries matter (and why they’re core to Brand Unmuted)

02:46 – A real-life moment that forced Joanna to rethink boundaries

03:40 – Protecting evenings, personal time, and mental space

05:10 – The danger of being too flexible

06:00 – Hours worked vs. set schedules (and why this matters for creatives)

07:15 – Rush fees, weekends, and pricing as a boundary

08:14 – Urgency, over-responsiveness, and “it’s just cups and saucers”

09:00 – Why ideal clients will respect your response time

11:05 – Using automation to protect your boundaries

12:59 – Tools that help: CRMs, calendars, and scheduling systems

15:16 – Scope creep, contracts, and setting expectations upfront

16:09 – Refining systems to prevent burnout before it starts

18:44 – Boundaries around revisions (and why structure helps everyone)

20:32 – Setting boundaries with yourself and understanding capacity

22:39 – Flexibility as the “why” behind strong boundaries

24:03 – Final takeaway: choosing one boundary to reset

Ready for More?

If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking.

If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much.

We’ll be back next Tuesday with a new episode!

In This Episode, We Cover:

1. Why people search online first (and how a blog helps you show up early)
2. How a website cuts down the number of “touch points” it takes for someone to buy
3. Why relying on social media alone is risky
4. How your website builds credibility — especially for high-ticket offers
5. The power of your About page (and why skipping it costs you sales)
6. How your website becomes your 24/7 salesperson (even across time zones)
7. Real examples: nail salons, travel advisors, social media managers, realtors, photographers

Time stamps

1. 02:00 Why every business needs a website in 2026
2. 02:50 SEO + blogging: showing up when people search for their problem
3. 05:00 Touch points: why it takes more time to build trust now
4. 05:45 “Checking you out” before committing (nail salon example)
5. 06:15 Not everyone is on social media (or uses it to search)
6. 08:20 Websites build trust + credibility
7. 10:40 Social media is borrowed space (and risky to rely on alone)
8. 14:15 Controlling the journey + messaging flow
9. 16:20 Social proof: testimonials, portfolios, results
10. 17:45 The About page (and why it’s not optional)
11. 20:15 Your website as a 24/7 salesperson
12. 22:35 Would you contact a business without a website?

Links & Resources Mentioned

1. Joanna’s web design services: joannamoss.com
2. Dianna’s copywriting offers: risecopyco.com

Ready for More?

If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking.

If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much.

We’ll be back next Tuesday with a new episode!

In this episode, Joanna shares why she scrapped her old site, hired a copywriter (spoiler – it was Dianna!), and rebuilt her brand and offers from the inside out.

We walk through what wasn’t working, how her Website in Two Weeks offer reshaped her whole business, and why even pros shouldn’t always DIY their own copy.

Topics We Cover:

1. Why Joanna decided to redo her website - How constant tiny edits and “I didn’t see that on your site” comments from clients were a red flag that the strategy & messaging weren’t landing anymore.
2. How a new offer forced a full website rethink - The behind-the-scenes of creating her Website in Two Weeks process, dropping other offers, and needing the site to clearly communicate one streamlined signature service.
3. Designing for evolving clients (and changing trends) - Why websites are living, breathing assets, how audience behavior shifts over time, and what that means for your layout, messaging, and overall experience.
4. Rebranding away from the beige trend - Joanna’s decision to ditch the “polished but not-me” neutral vibe, lean into bold color and personality, and intentionally attract clients who want color and energy in their brands.
5. Why she hired a copywriter instead of DIYing (again) - The difference between being able to write and wanting clean, strategic, to-the-point copy that isn’t overly wordy, plus how it felt to release control without losing her voice.
6. What the copywriting process with Dianna was actually like - How we worked together: brain-dump from Joanna, strategic structure, collaborative revisions, and using feedback to make sure the words truly sounded like her.
7. The results: more aligned clients & better feedback - The kind of comments she gets now (“I love the energy of your site,” “This sounds so much like you”) and how that’s translated into working with more of her true ideal clients.
8. When it is and isn’t the right time to hire a copywriter - Why brand-new business owners who are still fuzzy on their offers might want to wait, and why established businesses ready to elevate, rebrand, or refine are primed for pro copy.

Time stamps

1. 00:00 – Intro + why we’re talking about this
2. 02:14 – What pushed Joanna to redo her site
3. 04:29 – The new offer that changed everything
4. 08:42 – Rebranding, color, and attracting the right people
5. 10:07 – Why she didn’t DIY her copy this time
6. 11:16 – How the process actually felt
7. 13:38 – Feedback from clients & results
8. 19:07 – Lessons for designers & business owners
9. 22:09 – When you’re ready (or not) to hire a copywriter
10. 23:38 – Our end-of-episode “weird” question: your 11-hour-flight seatmates

Links & mentions

1. Joanna’s web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative – custom Showit websites & her Website in Two Weeks process
2. Dianna’s copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. – website & launch copy for creative women in business

In this episode, we’re walking through how we each plan for the year ahead– from Joanna’s capacity-first, color-coded, one-page calendar system to Dianna’s reflection + goal-setting + vision board + quarterly milestones approach.

If annual planning overwhelms you and you struggle to stay consistent with your goals, start here.

Topics we cover:

1. Why “fresh start” January messaging can feel weirdly crushing as an entrepreneur
2. Joanna’s capacity-based planning system: one calendar, 12 months, one glance
3. How Joanna blocks vacation, travel, booked projects, and income goals first
4. Why planning your year visually can make discovery calls so much easier
5. What to do when projects run longer than expected (aka: the flex space plan)
6. Dianna’s planning ritual: reflection, journaling, and using your numbers to tell a story
7. The EOS / Traction framework and how quarterly milestones make goals doable
8. Vision boards: why they work, how to make them (digital or physical), and how to use them daily
9. The #1 takeaway: there’s no “right” way — just the way that keeps your momentum going

Time stamps:

01:29 – Why we’re planning for the year (without the January pressure)

03:08 – Joanna: stop treating January like a reset button

05:20 – Building on momentum (Black Friday → January bookings)

07:05 – Joanna’s one-page, 12-month calendar planning system

08:57 – Using start dates to book clients faster (and more confidently)

09:36 – Planning for income goals with a capacity-first calendar

11:31 – What happens when you don’t have a project booked that week?

14:25 – When projects run long… and the “sometimes I work nights” reality

17:30 – Dianna: reflective planning + practical goals + a little woo woo

(Within this segment: EOS/Traction, tracking metrics, vision boards, quarterly milestones)

27:41 – Weird question: best Christmas gift you’ve ever received or given

Links & mentions:

1. Traction by Gino Wickman (A book on EOS / the Entrepreneurial Operating System)
2. Joanna’s web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative
3. Dianna’s copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co.

So in this episode, we’re doing a 2025 retrospective with zero “new year, new you” energy—just a grounded look at what worked, what we learned, and what we’re carrying into 2026.

We share our biggest wins, the lessons we’re still learning (hi, boundaries + scope creep), and the behind-the-scenes numbers from our year—like how many websites we collaborated on, how many hours we’ve logged for the podcast, and how many miles we traveled.

If you want to wrap up the year feeling clearer, calmer, and more proud of yourself than you expected… this episode’s for you!

Topics We Cover:

Our biggest wins of 2025 (and why you shouldn’t skip reflecting on this!)

Revenue growth, price increases, getting booked out early, and taking scary-but-worth-it steps outside your comfort zone.

The lessons we’re taking into 2026

Why boundaries matter most during slow seasons, how streamlining your client experience reduces decision fatigue, and the constant battle with scope creep.

Our gratitude lists for the year

Travel, community, flexibility, family time, and the relationships that make entrepreneurship feel less lonely.

Our 2025 by the numbers

Websites we worked on together, hours spent on Zoom for the podcast, miles traveled, templates used, and repeat clients who came back for more.

A gentle reminder about January

You don’t have to “start over.” You can build on what worked—and leave the rest behind.

Time Stamps

00:00 – Intro + a tangent about all-black outfits & decision fatigue

01:49 – Why we’re doing a year-end reflection (without the pressure)

03:27 – Biggest wins of 2025 (Dianna + Joanna)

07:03 – Lessons learned: boundaries during slow seasons

08:10 – Streamlining client experience + hiring the right expert

11:54 – Scope creep + the people-pleasing tightrope

15:38 – Gratitude list: travel, flexibility, community, growth

18:31 – What Spark + DXP are (and why the Showit community matters)

24:45 – 2025 by the numbers: websites, Zoom hours, miles traveled

26:31 – Individual stats: templates + repeat clients

30:47 – Weird question: movie moments we wish were real

Links & Mentions

Joanna’s web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative – custom Showit websites & her Website in Two Weeks process (https://joannamoss.com/)

Dianna’s copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. – website & launch copy for creative women in business (https://risecopyco.com/)

Showit – Our favorite website platform + community for designers (https://account.showit.com/r/joanna)

Spark Conference Showit’s annual conference for brand and web designers (https://spark.showit.com/)

Showit DXP Showit Designer Experience, a retreat for brand and web designers (https://dxp.showit.com/)

J. Mills Consulting, Jess Millhiser Client experience expert + process support (https://www.jmillsconsulting.com/)

Ready for more?

If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking.

If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much.

See you next week for another episode!

In our first *actionable* episode of the Brand Unmuted Podcast, we’re talking about something almost every creative business owner has felt in 2025: how to handle a slow season in your business without spiraling.

From fewer inquiries to stretched-out timelines, it's unnerving when a slow season hits. But in this episode, we're talking all about how to handle a dip in business without panicking, slashing your prices, or saying yes to every misaligned project that lands in your inbox.

Instead of spiraling, we walk you through six practical ways to use a slow season to your advantage, protect your confidence, and keep your business moving forward (even when your calendar looks quiet).

In This Episode, We Cover:

1. Why 2025 has felt weird for so many creative business owners (you’re definitely not the only one!)
2. The difference between predictable slow seasons (like wedding off-season) and the surprise ones
3. How Joanna realized her September slowdown was actually a pattern — and how that led to starting this very podcast
4. Why Dianna’s slower summer was a blessing in disguise, and how she handled the inevitable “will I ever book another client?” spiral
5. The hidden cost of panicking in a slow season: undercharging, saying yes to misaligned projects, and future resentment

Then we walk through six concrete tips for navigating a slow season without losing your mind.

Free Resource: The Creative Confidence Calendar

A one-page, 30-day calendar filled with quick, doable prompts to help you rebuild momentum in your business and boost your confidence back up.

Grab yours here! https://risecopyco.myflodesk.com/khwi39il6p

Links & Resources Mentioned

1. Showit (Our favorite drag and drop website platform - get your first month free!) https://account.showit.com/r/joanna
2. Showit's Spark Conference (3-day educational conference for web designers and copywriters) https://spark.showit.com/
3. Joanna Moss Creative – (Joanna's web design services) https://joannamoss.com/
4. Rise Copy Co. – (Dianna's copywriting services) https://risecopyco.com/

Ready for more?

If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking.

If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much.

See you next week for another episode!

In this episode of the Brand Unmuted Podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our own businesses and sharing how we actually got started — and our two VERY different journeys into entrepreneurship.

Joanna talks about quitting her 9–5 overnight after landing a freelance web design project paying five times her salary (without even knowing what a “freelancer” was). Dianna shares the opposite path: discovering the online business world through a copywriting ad she thought was a scam, starting as a virtual assistant, then slowly working up the courage to go full-time as a copywriter.

In This Episode, We Cover:

1. Joanna’s first business in 2005: landing a shoe company as a freelance client, quitting her job, and winging it with Google and Excel
2. Why her early years in business were a full-on “year of yes” — and how scarcity mindset plays into that
3. Dianna’s move from New Hampshire to Oklahoma, and the copywriting ad she dismissed as a scam (before realizing copywriting is very real)
4. How she eased in through virtual assisting and blogging before fully embracing copywriting
5. The role that life events play in finally taking the leap to full-time
6. What it looks like to restart or pivot a business multiple times, and how each iteration gets a little clearer
7. Building a business around your real-life responsibilities: kids, mortgages, travel, and the desire for more flexibility
8. The ongoing reality of imposter syndrome (even 20 years in) and the importance of keeping your blinders on
9. Why community matters so much when you’re working from home
10. The mindset shift we both come back to: trusting yourself to figure it out, even if you have to pivot or choose a Plan B.

Links & Resources Mentioned

1. How I Built This (NPR radio show/podcast) https://www.npr.org/series/490248027/how-i-built-this
2. The MindHER Company, Mandi Casey (Business Coach) https://themindherco.com/
3. Showit (Our favorite drag and drop website platform - get your first month free!) https://account.showit.com/r/joanna
4. Showit's Spark Conference (3-day educational conference for web designers and copywriters) https://spark.showit.com/
5. Joanna Moss Creative – (Joanna's web design services) https://joannamoss.com/
6. Rise Copy Co. – (Dianna's copywriting services) https://risecopyco.com/

Ready for More?

If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking.

If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much.

We’ll be back next week with a new episode!

As a copywriter (Dianna) and web designer (Joanna), collaboration is at the heart of how we run our businesses. In this conversation, we unpack how we met, how we started collaborating, and what we’ve learned from working together on dozens of client projects.

Whether you’re a photographer referring planners, a VA partnering with an OBM, or a CPA sending clients to your favorite bookkeeper, collaboration is a huge part of building a sustainable business — especially when you’re doing most of it solo.

In this episode, we walk through what makes collaboration work, what to avoid, and how to build referral relationships that support your business and your sanity.

In This Episode, We Cover:

1. Why collaborations matter so much for solopreneurs — especially if you don’t have a team
2. How to know whether you’re referring a person or a specific service (and why the difference matters)
3. Our biggest tip for successful collaborations in business: keep the communication open
4. When a referral contract or written agreement is helpful — and when it isn’t
5. Why personal relationships make business collaboration easier, kinder, and way less lonely
6. The pros and cons of formal referral programs vs. informal “no-strings” referrals
7. How to protect your business, support your collaborators, and still create great client experiences

Links & Resources Mentioned

1. Showit (a drag & drop website platform that makes designing your site so easy - get your first month free!) https://showit.com/r/x9hc47hg
2. The Legal Paige (legal contract templates for creatives) https://thelegalpaige.com/?aff=231
3. The Contract Club (plug and play contracts & templates) https://www.bradendrake.com/a/2147575083/F2jRML6t
4. Joanna Moss Creative (Joanna's website design services) https://joannamoss.com/
5. Rise Copy Co. (Dianna's copywriting services) https://risecopyco.com/

Ready for More?

If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking.

If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much.

See you next week for Episode Two!

In this short intro, we’re giving you a taste of what to expect, including a little behind-the-scenes banter from the moment this whole idea sparked, why we teamed up on this project, and what you’ll hear in our first few episodes.

What to expect from Brand Unmuted:

• Bite-sized episodes that feel like coffee with two creative friends who get it

• Warm, grounded conversations about the messy middle of entrepreneurship

• Practical strategies you can actually implement to build a business that supports your life

• Honest talk about energy, boundaries, creativity, and business growth

When we launch:

Brand Unmuted officially launches December 30th, just in time for that fresh start new year energy.

New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Meet your hosts:

Joanna Moss is a web designer who believes in building brands and websites that make life easier, not heavier.

Dianna Robicheau is a copywriter who helps creatives sound like themselves, only clearer and more confident.

Together, we bring two perspectives, two skillsets, and one shared belief,

Ambition and real life can coexist, and you don’t have to burn out to grow.

Hit follow so you don’t miss the first episode, we can’t wait to dive in with you.