Beyond The Portfolio

Kristin Silva and Jake Cooper dive into the realities of running a creative business—from strategic networking and portfolio challenges to marketing, sales, and client management. They reflect on local creative communities, the pitfalls of bad industry advice, and the tech gaps small businesses face. The conversation highlights the balance between strategy and execution, the evolution of design expectations, and the value of building habits, community, and sustainable creative practices.

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Takeaways

Creative success isn’t just about talent—it’s about building meaningful relationships, articulating your process, and staying strategically grounded. Networking works best when focused on connection over sales, and community plays a vital role in sustaining long-term growth. While portfolios are necessary, they must evolve beyond showcasing finished work to highlight strategic thinking and process. Designers must balance aesthetics with insight, depth with simplicity, and client needs with creative integrity. Strategy often outweighs execution, and understanding your audience is essential for effective design. Managing client relationships, pacing yourself, and setting clear boundaries are critical—especially in a fast-changing landscape where social media can distract and tech tools often miss the mark for small businesses. Trust your instincts, update regularly, and focus on what truly drives impact.

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00:00 – Networking Events and Community Building

06:06 – The Value of Networking and Building Relationships

12:02 – The Importance of Strategic Networking

15:01 – Advice on Portfolio and Case Studies

27:12 – Balancing Depth and Simplicity in Portfolios

32:58 – The Gap in Tech Solutions for Small Businesses

39:03 – Rented vs. Owned Audiences in Marketing

50:59 – The Balance Between Creative Execution and Strategy

01:04:54 – Navigating Career Milestones and Creative Blocks

01:47:58 – Sales Strategies and Portfolio Management

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Keywords

networking, community building, creative scenes, referrals, marketing, portfolio, case studies, advice, expertise, design, small businesses, CRM software, marketing strategies, rented audiences, owned audiences, design evolution, creative strategy, branding, portfolio, visual design, career milestones, creative blocks, strategy, execution, presentation design, client expectations, project management, design process, creative strategy, design execution, change, compromise, community building, sales strategies, portfolio management, habit formation, creative process, business growth, project management, self-employment