Division wins

I have had a couple 5-figure productions inquired about, pitched on, and sold. I was able to really consider what I wanted to do as a company and diagnose with info from Maker Division. I believe this led to better strategy, sales, and client happiness. I've earned 44k gross from two projects. Ready to keep on going!

I was in Module 4, and had built out a list of publishers focusing on nature titles to pitch to. I had my capabilities deck from Module 3 ready to be sent out … during my follow-up, the creative director responded with very warm and kind words about how they are fans of my work … their art director reached out a few weeks later with an illustrator's dream project, illustrating a series of adult coffee table books. We're launching with 3 books, and I will make just under $20k. I found my niche in publishing from working on the creative cocktails in Module 2. I pitched using the capabilities deck I created in Module 3. And I followed the templates loosely in Module 4 for pitching and follow-up.

I got my first client, who signed for a web design service and that wouldn´t be possible without Maker Division. The capabilities deck and the perfect proposal helped me to express my expertise and to land the client... I earned a 1500€ fee and 95€ monthly payment. It´s amazing how Ben and Stephanie teach people to build their creative business. Without their work I couldn´t have landed my first client that fast.

I had been freelancing for many years, just taking projects when I could, but never feeling really established in my work. So far, it has mostly been my mindset that has changed. Part of that has developed through the valuable content and the conversations within the community. What has helped most? The structure through the course content and the templates. The feedback from the community has also given me confidence in my work. The two together have been incredibly valuable.

I wanted a programme with business excellence, but also some defined structure. Just playing through videos isn't enough. I needed the tasks of creating the assets myself, no matter how painful! I've been able to better formalise my business, offer professionally structured services rather than just being the person that does the job. Being a jack-of-all trades, it's been really helpful to better define what I can do and apply pricing to that. The best part has been the structured lessons and weekly calls. The community is also really helpful too. Great program and an even better group of people!

Over the past year, I've experienced a lot of growth. I prepared to leave a job I didn't enjoy, started attending events with clear objectives, and learned to discern good clients from bad … I've added my illustration skills to marketing retainers ($14k annual retainer), and my clients are happy. Capabilities Deck, Rock my brand, Outreach and online community show your work. I felt very alone and confused about how to feel confident and wise in my creative business … I immediately connected with how different and understandable the conversations between Steph and Ben were. I'm so grateful to have Maker Division in my life and business, it feels like part of my family.

The program had a direct impact on my confidence and on my clarity about my services … By cultivating my Power 150 and networking, I was able to convert contacts into clients. Overall, the biggest shift has been confidence. Both in how I run my business and in how clients now perceive and trust my work. The program's structure is perfect. The course content, combined with direct feedback from Ben and Stephanie, helped me the most with clarity and confidence. The community was also a big advantage. I learned a lot not only by asking my own questions, but by following and learning from the questions and experiences of others. Before joining, I was running my creative business entirely on my own. I had never worked in an agency, so while I was confident in my design skills, I lacked exposure to how the business side really works … I'm now showing up with far more confidence, knowing that what I offer aligns with industry standards.

Besides joining a community of creatives that are in the same place I am, Maker Division has helped me clearly articulate my business's offer, as well as given me the tools to start my business with an extremely firm foundation. I know that I'm getting off on the right foot from the very beginning, and I won't have to do any reorganization of my business for many, many years. Not only do we have some amazing coaches, but the community is active and highly interactive. We also have checkpoints to check that A) you actually do the work, and B) your work is showcase quality and will get clients knocking down your door to work with you. Before accelerator, a $10k job was a pipe dream. Now, my minimum level of engagement comes in at $15k. Maker Division is in it for you, not your money.

Landed my first 5-figure client. Agreement signed, 50% deposit paid. No questions asked. Learned how to: 1) create a detailed proposal 2) build a compelling a capabilities deck 3) think differently (big) about pricing. I closed a $24K job. I am very motivated. This is just the beginning.

I've been building websites for 20 years. I've run Snap Creative for 15 years without a genuine pathway to success, and 3 of those trying to figure out what I was supposed to be building to no avail... I cannot remember where I've been more focused AND more in tune with who I am and what I'm doing in this as a creative. This community has opened my mind in ways I never thought possible. Because of it, I better understand what I am doing and remember why I started my business in the first place... Thank you for bringing something that brings a community of people with similar traits, skills, and experiences.

Landed a client for a brand identity project with podcast thumbnails. Yes, it was a little over $1k (I grossly under bid but learned from the experience). Maker Division gave me the direction to create my capabilities deck with case studies. This compilation helped present my work and process to the client for a quick agreement. I recently lost a huge client and I was in despair. I didn't know if I should just get a job or keep pushing to be my own studio … During a weekly coaching call with Stephanie and Ben, they each gave me honest, straight forward, encouraging, and incredibly supportive advice. They not only gave me the courage to move forward, but valuable tools I could put to work immediately.

Marko approached me to help build a website to serve as a distribution and sales platform for his products … The orders are now rolling in on a daily basis … In general, I noticed a trend: for every $1 I invested into the Division, I earned 10 back. Only the last 2-3 deals I've closed are worth multiple five figures. Both of these leads came out of networking. For anyone in doubt, I would suggest to double down on that, because it's proven to be a gold mine … leads don't turn into clients without proper process. Case studies, understanding business foundation and contracts add an additional layer of trust.

Ben's detail to every step gave me the confidence to take on a five figure project. The "why we do this" lessons of the workshop were incredible blunt reminders of why we, as graphic designers, go through our process. Thank you Ben!

I landed a 5-figure project with Etsy.com, working on their holiday sale campaign called Top 100 Gifts. I worked on a $28k project - which I was able to attract though outbound efforts, mainly my cap deck. The process of finding or building proof, like the cap deck, has given me the confidence to show and talk about my work in an organized way … ultimately, the coaching calls have helped me the most, offering support, encouragement and a safe space to meet. I'm glad to be part such an awesome community full of creative people interested in self-development, ideas, and connection.

Owning 'Your Thing' was what I needed to embrace it … Since then my husband and I semi-burned down the separation of our businesses and are working for intentional unification in 2026. We're happier, less stressed, and I just signed a contract in a fractional creative director role. Having others do pattern recognition on our personality and life boards was super helpful to see things objectively. It's helped me even afterwards as I do more of them …

I have gotten feedback on my case study and I'm continuing to make forward progress through lead generation and outreach. After spending many years as a corporate designer, it was not an easy task for me to figure out my way forward as a solopeneur. Maker Division has helped me peel the layers of the onion—finding my authentic voice, visualizing what I want for my future, and focusing on each step I need to take to make it happen... Maker Division has been hard work, but I'm covering ground that I never have before. If I feel like I'm too far out from my comfort zone, I can reach out to other members who know exactly what I'm feeling and offer support and guidance from their own experiences.