From Design Vendor to Trusted Advisor: The Positioning Shift That Changes Everything
Mon May 12 2025
Most designers stay stuck delivering “pretty” work… because that’s how they’ve been positioned from day one. But the real opportunity? Repositioning yourself as a strategic partner who drives business outcomes—not just aesthetics.
In this episode, we unpack the mindset shift that turns designers into indispensable advisors. We cover how to stop getting typecast as the vendor, and start entering conversations as the expert who can help clients make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and move their business forward.
You’ll learn how to reason from first principles, apply investor-style thinking, and uncover hidden leverage in industries you already serve—so you can charge more for your thinking, not just your time.
We also break down how to use simple, low-risk conversations to build intellectual property, create new offers, and reposition yourself in markets that value strategy over surface.
If you're ready to stop being seen as “just the designer” and start getting paid like the partner your clients actually need—this episode is your blueprint.
Want help building a more profitable design business? Book a 1:1 strategy call here — https://www.profitabledesigner.com/schedule
Follow me on Instagram for daily content, marketing tips, and podcast updates — https://www.instagram.com/profitabledesigner/
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Most designers stay stuck delivering “pretty” work… because that’s how they’ve been positioned from day one. But the real opportunity? Repositioning yourself as a strategic partner who drives business outcomes—not just aesthetics. In this episode, we unpack the mindset shift that turns designers into indispensable advisors. We cover how to stop getting typecast as the vendor, and start entering conversations as the expert who can help clients make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and move their business forward. You’ll learn how to reason from first principles, apply investor-style thinking, and uncover hidden leverage in industries you already serve—so you can charge more for your thinking, not just your time. We also break down how to use simple, low-risk conversations to build intellectual property, create new offers, and reposition yourself in markets that value strategy over surface. If you're ready to stop being seen as “just the designer” and start getting paid like the partner your clients actually need—this episode is your blueprint. Want help building a more profitable design business? Book a 1:1 strategy call here — https://www.profitabledesigner.com/schedule Follow me on Instagram for daily content, marketing tips, and podcast updates — https://www.instagram.com/profitabledesigner/