Division wins

I was able to connect to one of my favourite athletes and offered her a free design work (promo poster). She gladly accepted the offer and few days ago I delivered the final design which she loved and promised to share on her socials.

Exactly a year ago, I exhibited at a trade show in Cape Town … I had just two minutes to deliver an elevator pitch and exchange business cards. I applied everything I'd learned through the Division training on cold outreach and follow-up … Twelve months later, completely out of the blue, I got the call: they were ready to collaborate. The most valuable tools were the capabilities deck framework and the guidance on building a portfolio that clearly shows what we do … Ben and Steph helped me see the value in my work, and that shift unlocked so much growth for our business.

I've learned lead gen techniques specifically catered to creative entrepreneurs and hot to get referrals solely based on my capabilities deck created in the course... Well worth the money. I am so much farther along in my journey due to the program and the tutelage catering to where I am currently at in my journey.

I've been dedicating my work to ocean and wildlife causes for a while, slowly building trust and connections … I stepped into a creative director role, overseeing the whole look and feel of the campaign. We presented the pitch to a possible sponsor and they agreed to fund it! Honestly, I don't think I would've been truly ready for a project like this if it had come my way before I joined Maker Division … maybe the biggest thing is just the mindset shift, having the confidence to charge a 5-figure amount and feel like that number actually reflects the value of the work.

I've recently landed two jobs! Ranging from visual identity design to website design and development. I don't know what I would have done without Stephanie and Ben's support. Their help with everything from handling sales calls to contracts and proposals was what made all the difference. Thanks to them, I was able to secure not just one, but two jobs!! Knowing that I can rely on them and the wonderful Maker Division community whenever I need, is incredibly reassuring and invaluable. I closed two jobs within two weeks, $5k and $7.5k!! Huge! Something unexpected about joining the course has been the incredible community. It's been so wonderful connecting with creatives, making friends and even getting work opportunities.

I've still got a lot of work to do in my business, but I would have had to give up on my dream a long time ago if it weren't for Maker Division. I've started to build relationships, find clients, and create a process for my business that helps me do good work that is profitable. What has helped me the most is the course content and community. The course is a great starting point. When I thought "What do I do now?" the course always had the answer. And when I had further questions or needed some perspective, the community was there to help. I quit my job as a videographer to pursue my passion for design … I started my design career as a freelancer with no leads, no income, and absolutely no idea what to do. If it wasn't for Maker Division, I would have given up a long time ago!

I was a graphic designer taking orders without any room for creativity. Now, I am focusing on being a more valuable desiner, doing great work with stronger concepts. My mindset changed. I learned how to organize time, to be a professional freelancer, to speak with clients, and gain their trust. The coaching calls, templates, course content all helped, and I would like to say that i'm in the most valuable creative community ever.

I was laid off from my cooshy Art Director job of 3 years. While I retained that company as a client, my income dropped considerably and the work became somewhat inconsistent. I had two weeks with no projects which meant no income. I had been eyeing the Division since its launch and figured now was a better time than any to try and take control of my income and reach my goal of not having to abide by a boss ever again. I've freelanced before but did really poorly because I had no idea what I was doing and had no real concrete plans to follow. I took a different course maybe 6-7 years ago that really just was not it – it wanted us to become "design influencers" and the coach of the program was essentially just trying to make little clones of himself. I didn't feel like my personality or communication style worked with his teachings. This actually stuck with me and made me feel like I couldn't be a successful freelancer if I couldn't follow the "entrepreneur bro" footprint. Even the small interactions I've had in this program have really helped me feel like this is actually something I can do, and the information is so detailed and good at answering questions before I ask them that I only feel eager to keep going. The confidence of knowing I'm getting an incredibly detailed blueprint to follow is so helpful. I'm the type of person that needs things really spelled out for me. I also love that if I feel insecure or anxious about something, I have the opportunity to ask Ben and Stephanie directly about my concerns.

I booked a client I'd been wanting to work with for 5 years. It started when I made a simple GIF for him to use in his Instagram stories, as a gift, without being asked. He has been using it ever since … It's a $4K job for now, with more work for them in the future. If I hadn’t gone through the Maker Division program, I don’t think I would’ve been fully ready when he finally reached out with this big project. The timing was perfect, and I felt much more clear and confident about my offer and what I bring to the table. Freelancing can get pretty isolating, so having a community where people are working towards similar goals, sharing real experiences (not just the highlighting the good bits), and offering feedback has been really valuable. It’s so good to not be doing it all in your own head.

It helped shape my understanding of the work and process that go into discovery for a branding project. I thought I was doing a somewhat in-depth discovery session with clients, but turns out, Project: Branding has given me the red pill and opened up my eyes and mind to the full process. The material is very easy to go through and is very, very, VERY enlightening! Love it!