Money Talks for Creatives Entrepreneurs

Freelancing paints a compelling picture: autonomy, great projects, setting your own price, and bypassing the unavoidable office drama. Yet, behind the curtain lies a landscape filled with challenges, including one many designers face: being undervalued and underpaid.

Enter Mike Monteiro—often known to many as @Mike_FTW—a design titan and co-founder with Erika Hall of Mule Design.

Mike’s talk at CreativeMornings/San Francisco, with his lawyer, isn't just informative; it's a survival guide for every freelancer and entrepreneur.

On stage, Mike shares stories from the early days of the studio, stating that: "Neither of us really had enough business experience...Because of that, we ended up leaving a lot of money on the table."

He goes on to dish out some hard-hitting truths:

• "It's paramount to have mutual clarity, both in expectations and terms."

• "If you're crafting emotional appeals in your communication, you're signaling a weak standing in the professional relationship."

• "Our early days lacked sharp business acumen, which meant we often undervalued our worth."

Yet, among the sea of advice, his most candid, no-nonsense directive stands out: "F*ck you, pay me."

Mike's session fills a glaring gap in conventional design education: merging design flair with business savvy. Many design curriculums dive deep into tools, techniques, and theories. Vital? Yes. Enough? No.

If you've ever felt lacking in business acumen, the sting of being underpaid or undervalued, watching Mike Monteiro's talk is not just recommended; it's essential. Watch it now 👇️.

Peace and Love. ✌️❤️

By Mohamed Thiam

📖 Enjoyed today's writing? Share it with a friend who'll love it too.
📸 Not stalking me on Instagram yet? Let's fix that.
💌 What resonated with you? Hit reply—I read all your messages.