In this episode of The Designated Designer, I’m joined by the one and only Rick Franzo, Growth Coach of the Poconos. Join us for a powerful conversation about what it really means to get unstuck, both in business and in life.

✦

Rick shares his deeply personal journey from surviving multiple brain tumors to guiding entrepreneurs through their own seasons of overwhelm, isolation, and uncertainty. We explore why mindset is often the real bottleneck, and how coachability, community, and honest self-awareness can completely shift the trajectory of your business.

✦

This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen alone. The right guide, the right people, and the willingness to face reality can move you forward faster than sheer hustle ever could. So, if you’re feeling stuck, stretched thin, or unsure of your next step, this conversation offers the necessary clarity and encouragement for a grounded path forward.

✦✦✦

Connect with Rick Franzo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-franzo-52948b26/
• Website: https://www.thegrowthcoach.com/poconos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gcpoconos/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rickfranzo3549

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I’m joined by Jesse Heebner of Heeby’s Surplus and American Door Products for a conversation that goes way beyond brochures and branding!

We dig into what it really means to design with intention; where it becomes directional instead of just decorative. Jesse shares what it’s like growing a family business, navigating expansion, managing people, and making strategic decisions in an industry that doesn’t always get the spotlight.

We talk about understanding your customer’s journey, why consistency matters more than constant change, and how design, cleanliness, and organization quietly shape trust long before a sale is ever made.

If you’ve ever wondered how design fits into real-world business growth, this episode is a grounded, honest look at what happens when strategy leads and design follows with purpose.

In this episode of The Designated Designer, I sat down with mortgage & lending expert Jim Gillespie to traverse a topic most creatives would rather sidestep: money, mortgages, and the financial systems that quietly shape our lives.

Jim breaks down the evolution of the mortgage industry, from the predatory lending that led to the 2008 crash, to the guardrails created by the Dodd-Frank Act. He explains how today’s lending standards actually work in plain English.

Together, we explore why so many creatives feel unprepared when it comes to home buying, what credit scores really measure, and how self-employed entrepreneurs can position themselves for approval.

Whether you're dreaming of buying a home, repairing your credit, or simply trying to build a healthier financial foundation, this episode gives you clear steps, grounded wisdom, and a much-needed crash course in financial literacy for the creative mind.

Perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and anyone who wants their money self to finally catch up with their creative self!!