When doing it all… stops working

The Memo from the Desk

If your studio is growing, you'll hit this crossroads eventually:

Should I hire someone?

It sounds like a simple yes or no. And you might have a violent gut reaction to the thought of bringing someone on. But this is a fork in the road that simply can't be avoided: it's a decision that has to be made eventually.

But what most creatives don't realize is how you bring in help matters just as much as when.

I remember when I hired my first employee. I had just moved away from doing low-priced work. With decently-paid retainers under my belt, I had enough revenue to cover all of my expenses, but not enough time to grow my studio. I felt trapped. I knew I needed to focus on bringing in leads. And with my first baby on the way, the clock was ticking to make sure my studio could function without my hands on the wheel at every moment.

I had to hire someone to help. But I had no idea if the time was right, if I could afford it, or where to start.

I put out an ad on Craigslist for a part-time, junior-designer position. I was transparent with my ad, letting applicants know ahead of time that I could only afford minimum wage.

To be honest, I didn't think anyone would apply.

I figured the pay would be far too low, the position too risky, and the fact that I was still working out of my studio apartment would turn most folks away.

More than 20 people sent in applications.

I chose five to interview, and one candidate's portfolio stood out above the rest. Brian's work had personality, vibrancy, and he was great at blending art and commercial practicality.

When he sat down for the interview, I asked him one question:

“Why on earth are you applying for this gig? I gotta be honest, man, your work is way better than what I can afford to pay”

He chuckled and held up his left hand, which was missing a few fingers. He explained that he'd been working at a lumber yard for the past few years, got injured, and was expecting a settlement to come in any day.

“I just want to get back in the game,” he said, “It's been a while since I last designed anything significant, and I'm looking for something that's part time for now. I like your work, and figured this would be a good place to start.”

I hired him on the spot, and we worked together for a few years. With Brian at my side, I was able to bring in bigger and better projects. He handled most of the production work for our retainer clients like a champ, eventually working nearly full time at a much more appropriate rate. He's since started a successful design studio of his own.

Here's the crazy thing: I almost didn't post that job listing.

And not only would that have changed the trajectory of my studio, but also the trajectory of Brian's life.

You never know who's out there. You never know who's looking for the exact opportunity we may have to offer. We take our experience and what we have to offer for granted.

And for many of us, building a team feels intimidating. We've got a secret sauce that can't be replicated, or we're worried about having to fire someone, or worried that we can't afford it.

Building an internal team isn't for everyone - that's true.

But avoiding it out of fear? That's not it, folks. Decisions made from fear rarely bring us closer to our goals.

So… how do you make this decision?

That's what I'm preparing for day two of Maker Vegas.

• How do you know when it's the right time to hire your first person?
• When should you hire an employee (either full time or part time), versus hiring freelancers and pursuing a more fluid model?
• What's the best way to structure the creative work with a team?
• How do you make sure you stay profitable with a team?
• What processes, systems, and SOPs can you create so that you can focus on the work you love (hello alternative revenue streams…)?

We're going to workshop our way to the answer, and help you figure out the why, when, and how to build a team that supports the life YOU want to build.

It's stuff I've coached people on individually for years, and this will be the first time I'm bringing this to a group setting. My goal is to bring this content to the Division as a graduation track (once you finish the core curriculum), but that's going to take time. Maker Vegas is a great way to get access to this first (and so much more).

👉Click here to apply

There are only a few spots left (and VIP is all sold out), so if you're on the fence, make the jump. Since we're making reservations for all the fun evening Vegas activities (blackjack anyone?), the last day you can apply is tomorrow (Wednesday, July 2).

OK that's it from me today. Stay hopeful, stay awesome, and stay in the AC (it's crazy hot out there people).

See you soon,

Ben Burns

Shepard Fairey:

On the Bookshelf

3 decades of dissent If you haven't encountered Shepard Fairey yet, you've been missing out for the last three decades. Here's a chance to catch up and get inspired by a lifetime of incredible work (BTW it's on sale)

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Never Made

Artist We Love

Francisco Reyes Jr.—AKA Never Made—is an LA-based artist and designer. His hard-hitting statement pieces blend bold, graphic iconography and punchy colors. It's punk rock in poster form.

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F**CK Authority by Pennywise

Now Playing

Something just feels right about having this punk anthem on repeat. I can't tell you how many miles I ran listening to this jam back in the day.

GIVE it A LISTEN

I could write a book about how awesome Liav Lewitt is.

Liav is a brand strategist, designer, and all-around creative powerhouse who recently landed a five-figure retainer gig as a fractional Chief Brand Officer. The best part? It started as a one-off branding project, but with some strategic prep (thanks to a Friday coaching call), he turned it into a $5K/month role for quarter-time work.

This isn’t just a win. It’s a turning point. For the first time since going full-time on his business, Liav says he’s planning for the long term. More freedom. More stability. More room to choose the right clients.

But honestly, Liav’s impact goes beyond business wins. He’s a cornerstone of the Maker Division community. He shows up with sharp insights, deep vulnerability, and (most importantly) some of the best dad jokes on the internet.

We’re lucky to have him. Maker Division might’ve helped with the multiplication, but Liav’s been doing the heavy lifting.

P.S. Liav is joining us in Vegas this fall. Can't tell you how stoked I am to finally meet him in person!

Liav Lewitt

Division Win

“I just signed a 5-figure retainer contract as fractional CBO of a startup I'd been doing a one-off branding project for. Two days before that meeting, I got extensive and invaluable support from Ben and Steph on the Friday coaching call to prepare for it. They provided perspective, context, asked the hard questions, and ultimately gave me the tools that let me negotiate and land the job. I genuinely can't thank them enough!!! (And that's not even mentioning everything I've learned from them and Maker Division that got me the branding project in the first place!)

Not only will this allow me to be more selective with my other projects, but for the first time since going full-in on my business, I feel like I can finally start planning for the long term.