If you’re in the midst of growing your design business and flying solo through the challenges, road blocks, and endless decisions you need to make, and you want to…

✦ Develop a better business mind to compliment your design and artistic skills

✦ Figure out how to effectively market yourself and get consistent work

✦ Cut down on the endless research for how-tos, tools, and resources, and get recommendations (and templates!) from someone who’s already problem-solved and is willing to share the solutions

✦ Receive guidance and support when you run into uncomfortable client situations

✦ Get your gears turning on new ways to offer services, structure your schedule, and create a better client experience

✦ Build a tight-knit community of fellow designers who are in the thick of it too and ready to share what’s working and what’s not

…the Designer Mentorship Program may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Kind Words
from a Mentee

“I’ve tried other group programs in the past, but never quite felt that personal connection like This.”

The experience learning from Allie and from all the members of the group has been invaluable. Allie is not only willing to share about her process but she is kind, encouraging and supportive along the way. I always feel like she has my back and ultimately wants us to succeed and build businesses that we could all be proud of.

This mentorship program really feels like I am chatting with friends who understand the ups and downs of what I am going through without being in a competitive environment. With Allie, everyone has a seat at the table, no question is off limits and she is really transparent in order to better help you grow your business!

JESSICA WASHINGTON
Graphic Designer

✦ Structuring and packaging your services

✦ Streamlining your schedule

✦ Marketing your business + getting consistent work

✦ Setting boundaries and expectations with clients

✦ Creating systems + processes that actually work and get you the results you’re looking for

✦ Diversifying your income + “passive” income products

✦ Effective ways of presenting design work to clients

✦ Design contract must-haves

✦ Improving your client experience

✦ Outsourcing + building a team

✦ Tough client situations (and knowing when to walk away from a project)

✦ Dealing with imposter syndrome + other mindset roadblocks

✦ Literally anything else related to running a design business that you want to talk about!

“How do I know if the Designer Mentorship Program is right for me?”

This program is for designers who are in their first 2-3 years of freelancing / running a business. This includes graphic designers, branding designers, web designers, illustrators, or any other creatives who offer graphic design as a service.

The topics we cover are community-driven, to ensure we’re focused on the things that you actually care about and want to learn more about!

That being said, we tend to cover both big picture ideas around running a business and topics that relate to the intricacies of offering design services specifically like working with clients, processes and systems, creating and selling products, etc.

So, the program could also be a good fit if you’re a small business owner who’s been doing this thing for awhile but you’re pivoting into offering design services and don’t know where to begin.

There’s so much to know and I’m totally here for ya!

Have questions? Send me an email at allison@alliemariedesign.com and we’ll talk it through.
If my mentorship program isn’t a good fit, I’ll try to point you in the direction of something that is!

This program is special because it focuses on one thing:

Mentorship

There are so many wonderful programs, courses, memberships for designers out there that will give you all the templates, resources, and tools you could possibly need to get your design business up and running. Those tangible logistics and the technical aspects of running a business are SO important for building a successful and profitable business.

But mentorship is also essential. Because mentorship creates space for important conversations, personal development, and growth. 

The Designer Mentorship Program isn’t focused on delivering the “right” answer (ahem, there’s no such thing) or the “right” system” or “right” process.

Instead, I share my extensive experience running a six-figure design business – including what has worked well for me and what hasn’t – and then we put our heads together to find what’s best for you and your unique business.

You’ll be introduced to new ways of thinking. You’ll walk away with resources, templates, systems, and strategies that will help you more easily build your business and attract more clients. You’ll be a part of an intimate community where you can celebrate wins and talk candidly about struggles that us designers specifically face.

And, most of all, you’ll walk away a more empowered and confident business owner.

More Kind Words
from Mentees

1. Designer Office Hours

We gather for two 1-hour group calls per month, when I answer your pre-submitted questions and discuss your top-of-mind topics, with actionable next steps to help you overcome your recent hurdles. This is an opportunity to receive guidance on your unique situation and learn from one another’s experiences as everyone continues to grow their businesses. All calls are recorded for those who can’t make it live. Upon joining, you get access to our call archives, so you can start learning and implementing right away!

2. Designer Community

Be a part of a group of like-minded designers who are in the trenches too as they navigate growing their design studio and continue their small business journey. Inside our online community (hosted on Mighty Networks), you’re able to receive support, get feedback on your work, share and access helpful resources, have fun and inspiring conversations, and stay connected to me and all the mentees in between our regular Designer Office Hour calls. If you’re looking for designer friends, you’ve found the place!

3. Vetted Resources + Templates

During our conversations, I bring you behind-the-scenes in my business and share my vetted processes, systems, and softwares… and my candid experience using them. Let’s cut down on the trial-and-error and start running more efficient businesses (without compromising client experience)! You also get access to a templates that I use with my own branding clients, including Brand Discovery, Brand Presentation, and Brand Guidelines Templates… yes, really!

4. Guest Expert Workshops + Interviews

Learn from guest experts who give you insights and strategies to elevate specific areas of your business that you know you need some TLC. From marketing strategists, to business coaches, to content creators and beyond, these talented and successful entrepreneurs will help you add important new skills to your small business tool belt and improve your mindset in the process, so you can run your business with more confidence and serve your clients even better.

5. Opportunity to Book 1-on-1 Calls

For more personalized support in a private setting, 1-on-1 mentorship sessions with me are available! Ask questions and pick my brain about specific topics or roadblocks you’re experiencing in your specific business. I'll share my personal experience and knowledge, then we’ll take a deep dive into ideas, solutions, and next steps that suit your unique goals and the vision you have for your business. *1-on-1 sessions are a separate investment and not included in the monthly membership fee.

Bonus: Access to my course, Design Spirit!

Although we’ll be mainly focusing on who you are as a business owner, continuing to refine your design skills is important in building a portfolio that you’re proud of and attracting your ideal clients. Which is why all members receive free access to the Design Spirit course (normally $297)! Inside the course, I help you brush up on your basic layout skills and the fundamentals of design — how to design with strategy and intention, the design principles, color theory, typography basics, and more.

Investment:

$99/month

A SPECIAL LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP RATE (LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE)

I remember what it was like being a new designer with a smaller budget for support. So it’s really important to me that the Designer Mentorship Program is affordable, accessible, and full of value!

Your membership includes all of the above, including access to the Design Spirit course (normally $297) and Brand Discovery, Brand Presentation and Brand Guidelines templates (a $400 value). Note: Templates are delivered to you one at a time over your first three months of membership, giving you plenty of time to implement!

This is an on-going monthly membership. You can cancel at any time.

”She’s given me confidence to charge what I’m worth, helped me broaden my skills and streamline my process.”

Allison was and is such an integral part of the success that my business is today. When I started my business 6 years ago, she helped me navigate so many business details that had me feeling in over my head. Her killer knowledge as well as insanely lovely spirt are such a joy to work with and learn from.

She’s given me confidence to charge what I’m worth, helped me broaden my skills and streamline my process. Her encouraging energy is so genuine, I always feel incredibly refreshed and inspired after chatting!

ALEE JABLONSKY
Branding + Graphic Designer, Urban Mast Design

“Her experience and expertise haVE played an important role in my business growth and getting booked out.”

Allison's mentorship over the past few years of starting and growing my design studio has been so helpful! Her experience and expertise have helped me improve my process, create more professional and polished client presentations, and elevate my client experience, which has played an important role in my business growth and booking out.

She is a wonderful resource for tips and best practices, and I always walked away from our conversations with a flood of ideas and feeling so inspired. I have a lot more confidence as a designer, thanks to Allison’s guidance!

LAURA ASLESEN
Graphic Designer, Laura Anne Creative

After a decade of running my design studio, I’ve seen it all.

I’ve worked with every type of client, from dreamy to difficult.

I’ve structured my services in multiple different ways. I’ve experimented with different marketing strategies and ways to book new projects.

I’ve explored the “passive” income route. I’ve navigated tricky client situations (Ever had a client ask for literal stick figures in their logo? 🙋🏻‍♀️).

I’ve let clients walk all over me with an embarrassing number of unwarranted design revisions and finally learned to set boundaries that better protect my time and my sanity.

Every single experience has taught me something.

Every experience has been part of my journey of building an established 6-figure design business and becoming a sought-after designer who is known not only for crafting beautiful final products, but also for her smooth client communication, project organization, and seamless (and fun!) process.

But it did not come easy.

When I first started my design studio in 2012, I dove headfirst into the world of freelancing and, like most new business owners, I had no idea what I was doing. Although I came from a family of entrepreneurs, navigating the many intricacies in the design industry and the ever-evolving online business world quickly overwhelmed me.

And, as you may already have experienced in your own journey, I discovered that working for yourself can be lonely. And frustrating. And involve a lot of trial and error because there are a lot of things you just “don’t know until you know.”

Slowly and surely, I figured things out. But looking back, I know things would’ve been so much easier and I would’ve been able to work through challenges much faster if I had someone guiding me along the way.

“From our very first conversation, I knew Allison was the perfect fit for me and my business — I never even considered going with anyone else! She connects with her clients on a personal level, which made me feel super comfortable and excited throughout our time together. My new professionally designed brand set me up for success for years to come. Allison is professional, sweet and friendly, and she will be your biggest cheerleader... I wish she could handle every aspect of my business!” 

Patricia Sjulson
Owner of winnie lu

“The anxieties of starting my own business were softened by Allison's warm and sincere approach… her level of energy and interest was just what I needed! Allison listened to my vision and created a brand inclusive of all I had in mind...and more. She helped me match words with visuals that have a lasting impression. I valued every part of our process! Allison is passionate about her craft and perfectionist about the outcome. If you have a clear and meaningful message to convey to your audience, she is your gal.”

Lauren Adsem
Founder of Self-Alchemist

“From the moment I found her, I knew Allison was the designer for me. She is personable and fun, relatable and real. She also happens to be an incredibly talented creative whose fully collaborative process created an end result that was exactly what I wanted but was never quite able to articulate. I’m astounded by her thoughtful attentiveness to my vision. Every detail was meticulously uncovered, carefully considered, honed, and perfected. I’m so proud of our brand and I’m thrilled to have found this extraordinary human being. She’s truly my designer for life.”

Krista Bartlett
President of KDL Enterprises