Like a lot of people, I’ve learned to rely on AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) for guidance in my business. But recently, I realized I fell victim to a trap: I was using them to entertain myself instead of actually applying the advice. So, I decided to stop asking for "tips" and asked for a personal and business audit I asked Chat to: “Provide an honest assessment of my recurring misunderstandings and identify suggested actions that remain unimplemented, based on the totality of previous threads and conversations.” I wanted to see where I was getting in my own way. Here were the top results. Not all because there was a lot more, but these were the ones that stood out.: 1. On Pricing: “You partly see value pricing as a communication trick rather than a business rule set. Until it becomes a rule... you’ll keep emotionally negotiating against yourself.” 2. On Focus: “You conceptually know you need a core offer, but you haven’t fully internalized that everything either ladders into that offer or is disqualified. Without that constraint, your day keeps getting filled by custom, low-leverage work.” 3. On Action: “There is still an expectation that better wording or a smarter automation will fix lead flow... Scripts are tools, not the engine. The engine is you sending enough of them.” It’s not easy seeing exactly how you’ve been in your own way, but I’m glad I asked. I realized I had fallen into my old habit of learning without implementing. I’ve read Alex Hormozi’s books enough times that I should be a millionaire by now. But realistically, I was doing exactly what he warns against: getting the knowledge but not doing anything with it. I’m curious, what is one "bottleneck" or hard truth you’ve discovered on your creative business journey recently?

I started this community to better understand business and how to run my creative one. But I also wanted it to be a place where we could get real feedback on our work. As designers, we rarely get meaningful feedback from other professionals. Most of what we get is random negativity online or vague comments from clients who don’t really know what they want. So I’m creating a space here where we can post our work and get constructive feedback from other creatives who are also trying to grow. Take some time to upload something you’re working on. If you see someone else’s post, feel free to share helpful feedback, but be kind and respectful about it. If you’re someone who doesn’t usually take criticism well, I actually encourage you to post even more. As creatives, our work will always be judged. By the public, by clients, or even by ourselves. The goal here is to build thicker skin and learn how to grow from feedback instead of running from it. To kick things off, I’ll go first. I’m posting a recent piece I made using Photoshop, After Effects, and a few AI tools. I know I might get some pushback for the AI stuff, but it’s part of my process, and I want to share it. I’d love to see what you all are working on too.

First off, thank you to all the new members who’ve joined. I truly appreciate you for being here, and I hope this space brings value, inspiration, and growth to everyone involved. A few quick notes: 1. About the group’s updates I owe you an apology for the slow approvals and lack of updates so far. When I first started this Skool group, it was more of an experiment to see what it could become. I didn’t have a clear direction at first, but I’m committed to showing up more consistently and building something that’s genuinely valuable for us all. 2. Free resources There are free PNG fonts available for download on my website. Feel free to grab them and use them in your projects. I hope they help you create freely and explore new ideas. 3. Learning and growing together I’m here to learn and grow just like everyone else. I’ll be asking questions, even ones that might seem simple, because growth comes from curiosity, not ego. I encourage you to do the same. If you have questions, ask them. If you have answers, share them. The more we contribute, the stronger this community becomes. Let’s keep building, learning, and connecting. I’m excited to grow alongside a community of designers and creators who are serious about elevating their craft.

I've been self-employed for 11 years, and nearly all my clients have come from referrals. On the surface, that sounds like a dream, right? It means I'm doing something right. People don't risk their reputation by referring someone who'll let them down. And I'm genuinely grateful that my work has been valuable enough for clients to trust me with their network. But here's the uncomfortable truth: relying solely on word-of-mouth has kept me trapped in a cycle of undercharging. From day one, I convinced myself I wasn't "good enough" or didn't have enough proof to charge what established designers charge. So I raced to the bottom to win clients. Eleven years later? I still catch myself doing it. The fear of losing clients makes me undercharge "just to be safe", which ironically attracts more low-budget referrals who expect bottom-dollar pricing. So......it's time to break the pattern. I'm diving into cold outreach for the first time ever. It's terrifying and exciting in equal measure. Here's the email template I've been working on: Hey [Name], Saw what you're doing with [Company Name] and really liked [specific detail]. My name is Julius of 4th Gen Creations and I'm a brand designer who creates visual identities for growing businesses. I specialize in logos, color systems, guidelines, and promotional material that make everything feel cohesive and credible. I noticed a few quick wins that could strengthen your visual presence. If you're open to it, I'll send over a mockup showing what I mean. Totally free, no pitch. You can see my work here: 4thgencreations.com Want me to send it? I'd love your input: - What cold outreach messages or methods have actually worked for you? - Where do you typically find leads to reach out to? - Any red flags you see in my approach? Let's help each other level up. Drop your insights below. 👇

Hey! It’s a brand new week, and guess what? If you’re reading this, you’ve got a fresh start and a chance to make some amazing things happen. You’ve got more time to nurture your business and chase those dreams. I’m really hoping this week brings you all the best!