Division wins

My team is pitching a hot new client and we were shortlisted because I put together a badass case study and design prototype. I gained confidence here :) Love it here

Someone I had previously introduced myself and my services contacted me to be the person to create the artwork for their band's upcoming album. He said as soon as he saw my work, he knew he wanted to work with me when the time came! Maker Division helped me create an outreach plan that enabled me to connect with people I want to work with. Also, Maker Division has helped me build tools that help me showcase my work in the best way possible! The monetary gain from this win is $500. While not large amount, the project is a great way to get my work to be seen by other potential clients as well as a pure joy to work on. The community has been extremely helpful as well as fun to be a part of. As someone who works by myself, it's nice to have a community of great people that I can rely on for support or if I just need some good people to talk to!

Coming from the video world, I don't have a ton of experience as far as graphic design goes. But recently, because of Maker Division, I was able to put together a capabilities deck. This was huge because it enabled me to learn something that benefitted not only my business but personal growth as well. Maker Division helped empower me to do this, through the help of Ben and Stephanie and the community that is a part of Maker Division. Getting feedback, asking questions, and showing up to Friday calls were essential for me to learn and get out of my shell and accomplish something that wouldn't have been possible otherwise... I'm growing as a person in very meaningful ways each day... I can't say enough good things about Maker Division. Not only has it helped me with my business, but it has also given me self-confidence, and a support system of like-minded creative entrepreneurs that I can connect with. It's such a unique and awesome community, and honestly with how much I've grown in the past few months both personally and with my business, the cost is nothing compared to what you'll gain from it.

Months before joining, I was struggling to figure out what to do next with my life after I lost my job. The only thing I know was I don’t wanna get stuck again in another job which I will resent, so I decided to join Maker Division and I think it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. The program is very well-curated and I was able to set & prioritize my goals. Stephanie's Creative Cocktail has unlocked so many different opportunities which are tailored to my dream projects & personal interests. There’s also an endless range of support from a community of fellow creatives who have been very helpful. I am just 2 weeks in and I was able to figure out a signature aesthetic style that I would like to develop and be known for. I was able also to publish my first ever creative piece... I know there’s still a long way to go but I am proud of what I have achieved so far.

Maker Division has been very helpful since the very first module. Since joining, I was able to figure out my creative direction and apply it on two of my personal projects. The weekly calls are an amazing space to learn from Ben, Stephanie, and most importantly, other Maker Division members. Overall, I have gained more confidence in my design abilities and apply what I have learned in this group every single day. The way that the modules are structured is very helpful. I also like the organized Notion templates that are provided as they have helped me stay on track with all of my projects as well as the coursework... Keep up the great work with this program.

I took a step back and set up my business for long-term success by reinforcing the foundations. Instead of constantly cycling between intense client work and then scrambling to find the next clients, I wanted a more sustainable approach. The Division provided exactly that … another major win was gaining confidence in pricing and the value of my services. The Friday coaching calls are by far the biggest value. Ben and Stephanie bring insights from two experience-rich backgrounds and always have an example or answer for any situation … Another major value-add is the program modules and Notion templates. The way everything is structured leaves no room for procrastination. I joined because I was looking for a community of peers who were facing similar challenges. I've been running my business for a few years, but I reached a point where I felt stuck … I strongly believe this program and community has an amazing future!

I was working as a full-time designer for the last 7 years. And I was dreaming about having "something" on my own... maybe a small studio? I was ready for a leap - to go full time freelancing. One day I woke up, decided - today is the day - and I joined the program. Then two months later, haha, I woke up and decided - today is the day - and gave my 2 weeks notice that I'm leaving the company I was working for.I have had a hundred small wins :) Do you actually know how amazing are the people in the community? I have made friendships that will be for a lifetime. I have connected with the most amazing people ever! Not that I have been feeling lonely, but yes, I have discovered that I actually like to have people in my life :D And thanx to the community, I feel like I finally have found "my gang." I mean, pop in your question, something you are not sure about, something you are wondering about - pop it in the community and you will have an answer from somebody like in the next 10 min. How amazing is that?As for "aha!" moments - I do have them often :D Again, I had no a clue how to actually build a creative business. I have learned so much! From cold outreach strategies, to pricing my work and creating a proposal, to what kind of content the clients are looking for in my website. These are all the things nobody taught me in the design school. I'm in Module 7 now, and the course content has been great. Templates are THE life savers.As for personal growth - enormous! My mindset has completely changed since I started the program. I found myself doing things I never ever imagined I would be capable of doing.And, yes, there were a few "professional/ financial" wins :) I got few projects from my Power 150. Because I went the extra mile. Invited people for lunch. Showed appreciation to my past clients. Gifted tickets to events to my potential collaborators. What really makes this different from other programs, courses and content out there - is the accountability. You can't unlock the next Module before you have your "homework" done. I mean, I have binge-watched courses before. Have I applied what I learned in practice? No, not really. But here, I have. I found myself standing by the post box, trying to take a weird-angle photo to prove I did my alternative outreach. Hahaha, fun times. I'm just really grateful to be a part of this:) Fingers crossed that this year will be an epic one!

I joined to build a sustainable business. What progress have I made? Understanding the importance of the business part of our work, but also being true to your roots and doing what you like. The coaching calls are always helpful even If I'm not facing the same problems with the person asking. I think the best moment for me was when Steph told me that I can work however makes me happy. That really stuck with me.

We added another vertical to our offering MarketSprint where we help founder prototype apps in 2 weeks and go to market in 2 months. Closed $25k deal and another $25k deal for the new vertical. I think the sheer camaraderie has motivated me to keep pushing every day. It sucks to be a single founder. Reading stories and wins has helped my will a lot. Keep doing what you doing. Gratitude all around.

I closed a $15k project, my largest project to date. I recently found myself almost completely out of work for the first time since I started freelancing full time nearly five years ago. I panicked for a moment, and then came back to the Division group for some guidance. Between some insightful back and forth with other members, much needed coaching, and progression through the curriculum, I was able to reinvigorate my network and pack out my schedule. One of those projects is my largest to date, well into 5 figures. From the curriculum, a combination of the Power 150, email outreach, in-person networking strategies, and the onboarding/pricing systems outlined in M5. But honestly? The support of the group and coaches played a huge role in making me feel like I could do it in the first place. Being part of a community of creatives who have all faced similar challenges has helped me push ahead and build a business that I'm proud of. It's the first group that I've joined and felt genuine camaraderie through. No one's trying to sell you anything or make it about them—everyone just wants to help each other grow. It's a great place to be. ‍

I recently started a cold email outreach campaign through module 4 in Maker Division. One of my passions is filming live music, On my second day of outreach, I was told I made the list to to film a music festival that always books some of my favorite bands! I still can't believe it, and it wouldn't have been possible without being in Maker Division! Maker Division helped me develop a capabilities deck and, more importantly, confidence to be able to reach out to potential clients/collaborators/competitors instead of just relying on word of mouth like I'd been doing previously I haven't recieved the details yet, but even if it wasn't paid, this gets me major exposure and legitamacy. It's just the best thing I've ever invested in, hands down. Helped not only my business but me personally. Can't thank Steph, Ben, and Lisa enough!

3 years ago, my business went bankrupt … For almost two years, I fought tooth and nail to get my business back on track, while working additional jobs AND studying in the Division. Last week, I paid off the last cent of that debt. In 2024 I doubled my yearly revenue and significantly raised my prices. I now book 5-figure projects almost on a regular basis. Curriculum that is well though-out in a way that it provides useful and applicable knowledge and action steps, great mentorship and a supporting community. Just come on board and try it out!

The conversation started with a referral … I sent him a proposal within my capabilities deck that I had just completed thanks to the wonderful guidance of Maker Division. The capabilities deck showcased my process and highlighted my design skills. He immediately accepted … since my coaching call, I have generated about $8,500 total. My capabilities deck was a huge asset. It showcased three case studies, each shared with the community for feedback. But the number one thing that made the difference was a coaching call with Stephanie and Ben.

I just signed a contract with a new client that I acquired from cold email outreach. Yew! Maker Division helped me do this by teaching me how to create a vital networking and outreach system. I've never done cold email outreach, but by being persistent and following the team's guidance, I was able to land a local client with big potential over time. The project is only $2.5K, but I feel like this is the foot-in-the-door with a young company that has huge growth potential. Maker Division has been brilliant. It has reinforced the skills and beliefs I already had and filled in the areas of my business that needed to be leveled up. The community always feels like a safe space to ask for guidance, and it's such a luxury to have so many brilliant people helping me grow, giving advice, and providing much-needed feedback. I'm building the business I've always dreamed of. Thank you, A-team!