THE DESIGNER MENTORSHIP
For brand, web, and graphic designers ready to skip the messy middle and grow a design business they love.
GRAPHIC DESIGN MENTOR FOR BRAND AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Test drive the design business processes and perspectives I share in the mentorship with my free audio course!
SIGN UP NOW TO GET ACCESS TO
5 CORNERSTONES OF A SUSTAINABLE DESIGN BUSINESS
Insights + strategies to help you feel more anchored in a strong business foundation.
The process of building a successful design business takes time, patience, and dedication.
BUT WHAT IF YOU COULD SPEED UP THE PROCESS?
What if you could have a successful design studio owner in your back pocket to answer your most pressing questions?
Someone who has been in your shoes.
Someone who “gets” the design industry and experienced what it’s like to build a design studio from the ground up.
Someone who knows what it’s like to deal with the trap of constantly comparing yourself to other designers online.
Someone to use as a sounding board, run ideas by, get feedback from, and give you guidance as you find your way on your unique journey as a graphic designer and business owner.
IT’S POSSIBLE, MY FRIEND.
INTRODUCING
The design mentorship you’ve always wanted, made accessible in a month-to-month format. No gatekeeping, overcomplicated (and pricey) programs, or yet more courses gathering dust in the cloud.
IF YOU’VE EVER WISHED YOU COULD HAVE AN EXPERIENCED DESIGNER IN YOUR BACK POCKET TO ASK ANYTHING ABOUT BUILDING AND GROWING A DESIGN BUSINESS, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT YOU’LL FIND HERE!
You’re invited to join a small, intimate community of designers who truly get to know one another, provide support, share their experiences, and cheer each other on.
Whether you’re totally green and not sure how to grow a design business full time, a parent in the thick of raising little ones and searching for a way to work from home, or a corporate dropout ready to set out on your own — this is your space.
You’ll have the tools to anchor the foundation of your business and grow your inquiries and bookings into a flourishing design studio that gives you flexibility and time for what matters most.
Kind Words from Mentees
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"THIS MENTORSHIP HAS GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF AND LEARN NEW WAYS TO APPROACH MY BUSINESS."
Joining the mentorship has been such a blessing! Allison has gone above and beyond in every aspect to help me achieve my dreams! The mentorship has given me the confidence and skills to believe in myself and learn new ways to approach my business. As a designer, it can be a lonely path, but being able to connect with fellow entrepreneurs who share the same ambitions and challenges has been so encouraging and inspiring.
The mentorship offers a wealth of experience and knowledge from Allison’s design career that she freely and enthusiastically shares. I am SO glad that I decided to invest in this as a way of making the dream of having my own design business come true!
BECKY ANDERSON
Graphic Designer -
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“I’VE TRIED OTHER GROUP PROGRAMS IN THE PAST, BUT NEVER QUITE FELT THAT PERSONAL CONNECTION LIKE THIS.”
The experience learning from Allie and from all the members of the group has been invaluable. Allie is not only willing to share about her process but she is kind, encouraging and supportive along the way. I always feel like she has my back and ultimately wants us to succeed and build businesses that we could all be proud of.
This mentorship really feels like I am chatting with friends who understand the ups and downs of what I am going through without being in a competitive environment. With Allie, everyone has a seat at the table, no question is off limits and she is really transparent in order to better help you grow your business!
JESSICA WASHINGTON
Graphic Designer
THE INVESTMENT
I remember what it was like being a new designer with a smaller budget for support.
That’s exactly why I made Anchor & Grow affordable, accessible, and full of value!
Your membership includes live Designer Office Hour calls and our supportive designer community, along with access to the Design Spirit course (normally $297) and Brand Discovery, Brand Presentation and Brand Guidelines templates (a $400 value). Note: Templates are delivered to you one at a time over your first three months of membership, giving you plenty of time to implement!
This is an on-going monthly membership.
Stay a few months, or stay for years.
It’s completely up to you.
Cancel anytime.
$99/MONTH
IF YOU’RE WONDERING… WHY THIS MENTORSHIP? AND WHY NOW?
ALLOW ME TO SHRAE MY STORY AS A BRANDING DESIGNER.
After more than a decade of running my design studio, I’ve seen it all. I created Anchor + Grow to give designers the mentorship I wish I had when I started out.
IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME, I’M ALLISON, A BRAND DESIGNER AND GRAPHIC DESIGN MENTOR.
From dreamy to difficult, I’ve worked with over 100+ clients. When I first started my studio back in 2012, I had no idea what I was doing, let alone how to run a business. Although I came from a family of entrepreneurs, I quickly found that the nuances of the design industry means that some things weren’t so straightforward.
You know what I’ve found after experimenting with my services, trying “passive” income, and navigating tricky situations? The best way to succeed in your design business isn’t in saying “yes” to everything. It’s not even in tons of inquiries and bookings. It’s being intentional with the kind of life you want to live and creating boundaries that give you space for just that.
THERE’S A REASON FOR ALL THAT I DO:
1.) I don’t believe in gatekeeping. I genuinely love sharing with newer designers in a community-over-competition style,
2.) My family. A few years ago, I went from burned out and overworking to completely restructuring my design business.
After my daughter was born, it quickly became apparent that how I was operating my business was no longer working. I knew my work life would have to change to support the life I wanted to have with my family.
Now, with two young kids, I work with one branding client at a time. I’m an established six-figure designer not because I take on tons of work but because I build client relationships, keep my offers streamlined, and always cultivate a pristine client experience.
That’s it. Those are my secrets to success. And in this mentorship, I’m sharing it all with you. I’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at how I run my business—a model I’ve perfected over my years as a designer. And, because my business is always evolving, you’ll get to watch me implement changes in my business in real-time and get answers to all the nitty-gritty questions you may have.
I’ve constructed a unique path, rooted in systems, policies, boundaries, and structure that give me freedom while keeping me within the bounds of the work I’m passionate about.
More Kind Words from Mentees
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"ALLISON'S MENTORSHIP GAVE ME THE SUPPORT, FEEDBACK, AND HOPE I DESPERATELY NEEDED."
Allison is an incredible designer with abundant wisdom, experience, and passion to share. When I was starting my freelance journey, I faced immense fear and anxiety. However, Allison's mentorship gave me the support, feedback, and hope I desperately needed. The entire community is filled with wonderful people who are always helpful and open.
I will likely hold my place in the mentorship indefinitely because no matter what new obstacle shows up, Allison is there to help guide me.
ALANA HUTCHERSON
Branding + Website Designer, Smart Kind Websites -
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“A FEW MONTHS AGO, I DIDN’T HAVE ANY DESIGNER FRIENDS….WELL, NOW I DO!”
I love having a community of fellow designers to bounce ideas off of and our conversations help draw out what’s best for my specific business, as well as challenge me to think more deeply about design. The way we all share knowledge is really valuable. And I love the access we have to Allison - she doesn’t hold anything back and she’s so REAL. Our calls are wonderful for my mindset and have helped me overcome a lot of impostor syndrome. Seeing the backend of her systems and processes has inspired me to streamline and make improvements to my own that I’m excited about too. I love this mentorship and truly look forward to our calls every other week!
MAKENA DELANEY
Brand + Website Designer, Makena Creative -
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”I’VE BEEN ABLE TO QUICKLY IMPLEMENT CHANGES THAT MY CLIENTS AND I BOTH LOVE, AND HELP ME WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY.”
Getting specific advice from Allison and hearing how she runs her business has been extremely helpful! Our Designer Office Hour chats really get my gears turning and I've been able to quickly implement changes to my services and processes that my clients and I both love, and help me work more efficiently. Allison does a lovely job hosting the group and has so much insight and experience to share.
LEANNE KNIGHT
Graphic Designer, Authentic Vision Media -
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"HER EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MY BUSINESS GROWTH AND GETTING BOOKED OUT."
Allison's mentorship over the past few years of starting and growing my design studio has been so helpful! Her experience and expertise have helped me improve my process, create more professional and polished client presentations, and elevate my client experience, which has played an important role in my business growth and booking out. She is a wonderful resource for tips and best practices, and I always walk away from our conversations with a flood of ideas and feeling so inspired. I have a lot more confidence as a designer, thanks to Allison’s guidance!
LAURA ASLESEN
Graphic Designer, Laura Anne Creative -
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"SHE'S GIVEN ME CONFIDENCE TO CHARGE WHAT I'M WORTH, HELPED ME BROADEN MY SKILLS AND STREAMLINE MY PROCESS."
Allison was and is such an integral part of the success that my business is today. When I started my business 6 years ago, she helped me navigate so many business details that had me feeling in over my head. Her killer knowledge as well as insanely lovely spirt are such a joy to work with and learn from. She’s given me confidence to charge what I’m worth, helped me broaden my skills and streamline my process. Her encouraging energy is so genuine, I always feel incredibly refreshed and inspired after chatting!
ALEE JABLONSKY
Branding + Graphic Designer, Urban Mast Design -
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“IT’S BEEN WONDERFUL TO CONNECT AND TALK CANDIDLY ABOUR OUR BUSINESSES.”
It’s been wonderful to connect with other designers inside this mentorship and talk candidly about our businesses. Allison is so personal and I enjoy learning about new ways of offering services. Thank you.
MEEGAN THOMAS
Graphic Designer, Citrus Owl Design
Everything I do as a design mentor is share from my 12 years of experience as a business owner and designer
SO YOU CAN SKIP THAT MESSY MIDDLE MOMENT IN BUSINESS AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE: DESIGNING.
No more unwanted (and excessive) design revisions, being walked all over by clients, or project timelines constantly going off the rails. Now, you can structure your offerings in a streamlined, simple way that feels easy for both you and your clients.
I’m living proof that you can design a thriving business that is also life-giving and spacious. I’m so excited to give you the tools and consistent support to elevate your processes, wow your clients, raise your prices, and work with more people and causes that light you up.
Now let’s talk more about what you’re getting with Anchor & Grow.
HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM? I’LL ANSWER THEM RIGHT HERE!
“What makes Anchor & Grow special?”
There are many excellent programs and courses out there that will teach you how to design, and even give you templates and tools to get your design business running. Learning how to design and the technical aspects of running a business are great, but they don’t fulfill the same role as mentorship.
Mentorship creates space for personal development, deep conversations, and growth. Whenever you have a tricky client situation, want feedback on how you’re pricing your project, or trying to figure out a better (easier) way to grow your design business, mentorship is where you turn.
As a mentor, it’s not about giving you the “right” answer, but having an experienced designer in your corner who can candidly share what has worked and what hasn’t. From there, we can put our heads together to find out what will work best for you.
You’ll be introduced to new ways of thinking. You’ll walk away with resources, templates, systems, and strategies that will help you more easily build your business and attract more clients. You’ll be a part of an intimate community where you can celebrate wins and talk candidly about struggles that us designers specifically face.
AND, MOST OF ALL, YOU’LL WALK AWAY A MORE EMPOWERED AND CONFIDENT BUSINESS OWNER.
Anchor & Grow is the perfect blend of mentorship and membership.
Instead of giving you an overwhelming program to follow, this is an opportunity to mastermind with fellow designers and consistently receive no-holds-barred advice from me. You’ll have access to me and the community throughout the month, so this community is always in your back pocket whenever you have a question or a situation arises.
Seriously, I will answer any question you have about running a design business, and you’ll be part of a designer community where you’ll always feel supported.
“What can I expect from the mentorship?”
The Anchor + Grow mentorship is for designers who are in the early years of their freelance or small business journey and looking for mentorship to help them navigate all that comes with working with clients and running a smooth and profitable business.
Through regular “Designer Office Hour” group calls and online community discussions, you will have direct access to me and the opportunity to learn from my 12 years of experience running my design studio…and connect with other growth- and community-minded designers.
A comfortable, come-as-you-are environment where you’re met exactly where you are and any and every question is welcomed.
Unfiltered, transparent conversations with a seasoned designer who has grown from a beginning freelancer to successful business owner.
Community-driven conversations and topics, where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions you specifically need help with and get my professional feedback and guidance.
Helpful resources and templates that I use within my own business, to help you improve your processes and elevate your client experience…while saving you time and energy.
A community-over-competition atmosphere. I believe that an abundant mindset and resilience are keys to success and I will help support you as you develop into the business owner you’re striving to be!
“What’s included in the mentorship?”
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Learn from guest experts who give you insights and strategies to elevate specific areas of your business that you know you need some TLC. From marketing strategists, to business coaches, to content creators and beyond, these talented and successful entrepreneurs will help you add important new skills to your small business tool belt and improve your mindset in the process, so you can run your business with more confidence and serve your clients even better.
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For more personalized support in a private setting, 1-on-1 mentorship sessions with me are available! Ask questions and pick my brain about specific topics or roadblocks you’re experiencing in your specific business. I'll share my personal experience and knowledge, then we’ll take a deep dive into ideas, solutions, and next steps that suit your unique goals and the vision you have for your business.
*1-on-1 sessions are a separate investment and not included in the monthly membership fee.
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Although we’ll be mainly focusing on who you are as a business owner, continuing to refine your design skills is important in building a portfolio that you’re proud of and attracting your ideal clients. Which is why all members receive free access to the Design Spirit course (normally $297)! Inside the course, I help you brush up on your basic layout skills and the fundamentals of design — how to design with strategy and intention, the design principles, color theory, typography basics, and more.
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We gather for two 1-hour group calls per month, when I answer your pre-submitted questions and discuss your top-of-mind topics, with actionable next steps to help you overcome your recent hurdles. This is an opportunity to receive guidance on your unique situation and learn from one another’s experiences as everyone continues to grow their businesses. All calls are recorded for those who can’t make it live. Upon joining, you get access to our call archives, so you can start learning and implementing right away!
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Be a part of a group of like-minded designers who are in the trenches too as they navigate growing their design studio and continue their small business journey. Inside our online community (hosted on Mighty Networks), you’re able to receive support, get feedback on your work, share and access helpful resources, have fun and inspiring conversations, and stay connected to me and all the mentees in between our regular Designer Office Hour calls. If you’re looking for designer friends, you’ve found the place!
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Throughout the program, I bring you behind-the-scenes in my business and share my vetted processes, systems, and softwares…and my candid experience using them. Let’s cut down on the trial-and-error and start running more efficient businesses (without compromising client experience)! You also get access to templates that I use with my own branding clients, including Brand Discovery, Brand Presentation, and Brand Guidelines Templates…yes, really! To top it off, you’ll also be invited to semi-regular live calls where I’ll go deeper into a specific topic and answer all your burning questions.
“How do I know if the Anchor + Grow designer mentorship is right for me?”
This mentorship is for designers who are in their first 2-3 years of freelancing or running a design business. This includes graphic designers, branding designers, web designers, or any other creatives who offer graphic design as a service.
The topics we cover are community-driven, to ensure we’re focused on the things that you actually care about and want to learn more about!
That being said, we tend to cover both big picture ideas around running a business and topics that relate to the intricacies of offering design services specifically like working with clients, processes and systems, and how to structure and market your services.
A GLIMPSE INTO OUR DESIGNER COMMUNITY
THE INVESTMENT
I remember what it was like being a new designer with a smaller budget for support.
That’s exactly why I made Anchor & Grow affordable, accessible, and full of value!
Your membership includes all of the above, along with access to the Design Spirit course (normally $297) and Brand Discovery, Brand Presentation and Brand Guidelines templates (a $400 value). Note: Templates are delivered to you one at a time over your first three months of membership, giving you plenty of time to implement!
This is an on-going monthly membership.
Stay a few months, or stay for years.
It’s completely up to you.
Cancel anytime.
$99/MONTH
What would it be like to have…
A safe, fun, trusted place you can go to ask questions and get real insight
A community to exist in with fellow designers where you are always supported
Confidence and excitement to grow your design business, knowing that having a life-giving, supportive business is possible for you
Refined processes and client experience and the ability to create more structure and ease in your business
Test drive the design business processes and perspectives I share in the mentorship with my free audio course!
SIGN UP NOW TO GET ACCESS TO
5 CORNERSTONES OF A SUSTAINABLE DESIGN BUSINESS
Insights + strategies to help you feel more anchored in a strong business foundation.
Want to be sure this is a fit before signing up?
I’d love to chat with you about Anchor + Grow.
Send me an email at allison(at)alliemariedesign.com, and we’ll have a no-pressure convo.