BLOG POST

Why I Started My Design Studio
(And What I've Learned So Far)

In January 2025, the company I previously worked for abruptly shut down. The CEO, Jay Marshall Dye, is now facing six lawsuits. Feel free to go on a rabbit hole deep dive on greenvillecounty.org. Being let go was a turning point. I realized I never wanted to be in that position again, where my future was tied to someone else’s choices, I wanted to create my own destiny. That’s when Lindsay Dev Designs was born.

My early challenges and how I overcame them:
Project management struggles

I didn’t have a project management system in place, which led to a lot overwhelming and stressful days.

I tested out Monday, HoneyBook, ToDoist, and ClickUp. I landed on ClickUp for multiple reasons. It has a lot of great features, but two that really make a difference for me are Dashboards and the Everything Calendar. Dashboards are super customizable - mine gives me a clear view of all tasks across every client, helping me prioritize my tasks for each project.

In the Everything Calendar, I can map out my day or entire week by hour, which helps me stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed. The mobile app has been a game-changer for organizing tasks and planning ahead when I’m not near my laptop.

PRO TIP

:

Keep a to do list of EVERYTHING that you look at daily - that way nothing slips through the cracks.

PRO TIP

:

Keep a to do list of EVERYTHING that you look at daily - that way nothing slips through the cracks.

PRO TIP

:

Keep a to do list of EVERYTHING that you look at daily - that way nothing slips through the cracks.

PRO TIP

:

Track. Your. Time. ClickUp includes a built-in time tracker, but no matter which tool you use, the important thing is to track your time consistently.

PRO TIP

:

Track. Your. Time. ClickUp includes a built-in time tracker, but no matter which tool you use, the important thing is to track your time consistently.

PRO TIP

:

Track. Your. Time. ClickUp includes a built-in time tracker, but no matter which tool you use, the important thing is to track your time consistently.

Pricing my projects

You can either price by an hourly rate or a flat rate quote. When I receive a project request and I don’t know the entirety of the project scope, I price by my hourly rate.

You can calculate your hourly rate by:

weekly billable hours x 48 work weeks per year = billable hours per year

then

freelance income goal for the year / billable hours per year = baseline hourly rate

I use flat rate pricing when I know the entirety of the project scope, like a logo design or a website design. You’ll need to figure out what you think the value of your work is worth, not just the exact cost of your services.

Currently, I charge $1,200 for a logo design (this will vary based the value a new logo design will bring to the client) and anywhere between $3,000 to $8,000 for a website design.

Figuring out what to include in my proposals

Proposals should include: project goal, an outline of the project scope, your process, an estimated timeline, work examples, and an estimated flat rate or project hours. Two books that really helped me navigate this: The Business Side of Creativity by Cameron S. Foote and Freelance, and Business, and Stuff by Amy and Jennifer Hood.

PRO TIP

:

It's usually best to send an estimate with your proposal instead of a quote. Estimates give you flexibility if the project scope shifts, quotes do not.

PRO TIP

:

It's usually best to send an estimate with your proposal instead of a quote. Estimates give you flexibility if the project scope shifts, quotes do not.

PRO TIP

:

It's usually best to send an estimate with your proposal instead of a quote. Estimates give you flexibility if the project scope shifts, quotes do not.

PRO TIP

:

Use a social media scheduler - I use Metricool to schedule my posts, stories, and reels. Later is also a great scheduler platform.

PRO TIP

:

Use a social media scheduler - I use Metricool to schedule my posts, stories, and reels. Later is also a great scheduler platform.

PRO TIP

:

Use a social media scheduler - I use Metricool to schedule my posts, stories, and reels. Later is also a great scheduler platform.

Social media strategy

A monthly social media campaign is a great tool to keeping your audience aware of what you do. Whether you’re posting weekly or daily, consistent promotion is important, but so is sharing who you are. Highlighting your work builds credibility, but weaving in elements of your lifestyle brand helps followers connect with the person behind the business. Let them see your interests, your process, and what fuels your creativity.

Get yourself an accountant, ASAP

And finally, if you’re diving into freelance life, get yourself an accountant. Your brain is built for creative work, let a professional handle the numbers.

PRO TIP

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Set up a dedicated business account and track every expense. It'll save you a lot of stress come tax season.

PRO TIP

:

Set up a dedicated business account and track every expense. It'll save you a lot of stress come tax season.

PRO TIP

:

Set up a dedicated business account and track every expense. It'll save you a lot of stress come tax season.

Book recommendations:

Freelance, and Business, and Stuff

by Amy Hood and Jennifer Hood of Hoodzpah

The Business Side of Creativity

by Cameron S. Foote

Let's Work Together

I typically respond within 24 hours.

I typically respond within 24 hours.

I typically respond within 24 hours.