🪄 5 Things I’d Change If I Could Start My Brand Again

If I could go back and start The Fearless Designer brand all over again (knowing everything I know now) there are a few things I’d do differently. Maaaaany things... but lets start with the branding side of things.

Because honestly? This brand has evolved so much. And the version of me who started it was just figuring things out as she went, juggling fear, excitement, and a hundred open design files at once.

So today, I’m sharing the five big lessons I’ve learned along the way, the things I’d double down on, lean into harder, and absolutely commit to sooner if I was starting again.

I chat about:

• Why strategy always comes before aesthetics (even when you’re a designer)
• How showing up as yourself changes everything, even when it’s scary
• The systems that keep your brand consistent
• Why thought leadership beats “just design” every single time
• And the power of letting your brand evolve as you grow

Whether you’re building your brand from scratch or refining what you’ve already built, this episode is your reminder to slow down, reflect, and build smarter.

Because a fearless brand isn’t built overnight.

x Morgan

Connect with me:

• Follow The Fearless Designer on Instagram
  @the.fearless.designer
  
  
• Head to The Fearless Designer Website for more info
  www.thefearlessdesigner.com.au

Transcript

Welcome back to the Fearless Designer podcast. Today's episode is a little bit reflective. It's one of those if I knew then what I know now kind of chats. Because I was just thinking, if I could go back and start the Fearless Designer brand all over again with all the experience and clarity and confidence and mistakes that I've made up until now, there are a few things that I would do differently. Not out of regret or anything, but more out of recognition. Because honestly, this brand has evolved so much. And the version of me who started it was just figuring things out as she went, juggling fear, excitement. Hundreds of design files and browser tabs open.

And I know so many of you are in that space at the moment too. You're building, you're pivoting, you're evolving. So I thought today I'd share four key things that I'd do differently if I was starting the Fearless Designer today. The things that I double down on, lean, firmer into and probably really commit a little bit earlier on. So let's get into it. Hello and welcome to the Fearless Designer podcast. I'm your host, Morgan MacDonald, aka the fearless designer, and I'm here to help you embrace your fears, level up your visual brand, and take your business to fearless new heights. For two decades, I've worked with business owners just like you, designing brands that are bold, consistent, and authentic.

I've lived a profesh corporate life as a graphic designer, and I've also spent the last 13 years running my own brand and graphic design business. So whether you're running a six or seven figure business, craving a brand refresh, or just ready to add a little more wow to your visuals, I got you. Each week, we'll dive into fearless brand strategies, design tips that you actually can use, live brand audits, and interviews with fellow business owners who have dared to do things differently. So if you're ready to stop playing small, take control of your brand and lead with confidence, you're in the right place. Let's go. So number one will be of no surprise to you. It is. I'd build strategy before aesthetics every single time.

So when I first started the Fearless Designer, I did what most definitely what most designers do. They jump straight into creating the look, the logo, the color palette, the visuals. Cause that's the fun part. But the most annoying thing about design is we never get to a point where we get something finished. So I understand the struggles with branding your own business and never getting to a point where you're happy with it. But what I didn't do Deeply enough at the start was pause and ask, what is the real purpose behind this brand? Who exactly am I serving and what problem am I solving? And how do I want people to feel when they find me? And I can tell you now that strategy always comes first. If I started the Fearless Designer today, I'd definitely spend more time clarifying the why before designing the what. Because beautiful branding means absolutely nothing if it doesn't connect to a message that's clear and confident.

And that's something I see all the time with clients. They've got a pretty brand. Like, it looks good, it looks polished, but there's no story or strategy behind it. So it doesn't convert, it doesn't connect, and it doesn't really grow with them either. Your strategy is the anchor. It's what keeps your visuals purposeful, your messaging consistent, and your audience engaged. So I would start with the brand foundations, your values, your audience, your positioning, your voice, your vibe. And only then would I start designing the visuals.

Because when you build from the strategy, your visuals become more than just decoration. They become communication. 2. I'd show up as me. Much, much, much, much, much sooner. Even when I was scared, this one is a huge one for me. If I could go back, I would stop trying to be perfect and start showing up as Morgan, the fearless designer. And here's the irony.

I wasn't fearless at all. I wasn't even close. I was so terrified at putting myself out there, showing my face, of saying the wrong thing I don't know, of being seen as too much or wrong or, I don't know, just not me. But the truth is, your audience connects to you, not just your design skills. And the more I let people see the real me, my personality, my quirks, my process, my fears, the more my brand grew. If I could start all again, and I would give myself permission to own my tone sooner. I don't know, just something made me want to be professional all the time. But I don't know.

I love being conversational. And sometimes it's a bit cheeky and sometimes a bit sweary, and that's what people connect with, and that's what builds trust. So I'd probably also name the Fearless Designer sooner, because that alter ego has helped me show up on days when I definitely want to hide. It's not about pretending to be someone else. It's about stepping into that more confident version of yourself that exists when you step, when you really do, stop letting fear call the shots. So if you're sitting there holding back because you're scared of showing too much personality, please know this. Your people want to know you. Not the polished corporate version of yourself.

The real human, the relatable one who gets it. That's what makes your brand so much different and more magnetic. Number three I'd build systems and consistency from day one. Ugh. If I started again, I would definitely build systems that make it easy to be consistent. Because as you know, consistency builds confidence not only for you, but also your audience. Oh my gosh, my stuff was so chaotic. Like you should have seen my desktop, my filing, my briefing process, the whole lot.

It was absolutely atrocious. And if anyone had to step into my business early on, they wouldn't have known what the heck was going on. So these days I would, you know, create pre written posts for my social media that reflect my brand pillars. I would have folders and structures and naming systems and repeatable workflows. I would also have not that Canva is around when I start, but I would have templates ready to go that link into my brand values just for consistency for my social media. It just helps so much with momentum and time saving and it just gives you so much more confidence as the business owner when you have systems in place. I'd also show up more consistently online, not in a forced hustle way, but with rhythm. Instead of posting only when I felt inspired, I'd actually plan ahead.

I'd create reusable content frameworks, schedule time to create, treat my content as part of my brand experience, not just an afterthought. And now when I help my clients set up their style guides or their Canva brand hub, I can see that shift happen. It's like that box is ticked. I don't have to put any more mental space allocated into those tasks anymore. It is done. It's not just about having a pretty template or that it's freeing up the time so you can actually focus on your message and doing it consistently. And number four, I'd lean into thought leadership, not just design. If I could go back, I would trust my voice so much sooner.

I'd stop hiding behind my client work and I'd start sharing what I know. And for so long, I just saw myself purely as a graphic designer, someone behind the scenes making other brands look good. But what I've learned is, is that your ideas and your insights and your way of thinking about branding is what sets you apart. If I started again, I just, I'd start the podcast sooner. I talk about my frameworks and my processes and my philosophies so much sooner. I position my yourself not just as a designer, but as a strategic partner. It's just so frustrating, because fearless branding isn't just about visuals. It's about vision.

And when you start sharing your perspective and stop being just another designer, you become the go to expert, and people start seeking you out for thinking, not just your output. So if you're someone who's sitting there sitting on your ideas, start sharing them. Start with what you know, the lessons you've learned, the beliefs that guide your work. That's how you build authority, and you attract aligned clients who value your expertise. And honestly, that's been the biggest shift in my business over the years, moving from doing actual design work for clients to actually educating other people about branding and confidence. And that's where the real transformation happens. Okay, I have a bonus one as well. I know I said only four things, but this one really matters.

Number five, I'd give my brand room to evolve. So if I started again, I would absolutely give myself permission to evolve without guilt, exclamation mark. Because your brand will change as you do. The colors, the voice, voice, the offers, they'll all grow and refine over time. And that's not failure. That's evolution. So when I turned 40 this year, I hit this big reflection moment, and I realized that I wasn't the same person who started the Fearless Designer, and that my goals had changed, that my perspective had matured. And instead of fighting it, I've leant into it.

I've leaned into it. I've learned to lean into it. Your brand isn't meant to be frozen in time. It has to grow with you. So if you're in that space where things just don't feel good or they're messy or misaligned, that's okay. It's part of the process. You don't need to burn it to the ground. You don't need to rebrand.

You just need to reconnect with who you are right now and make sure your brand reflects that. Because fearless branding isn't about perfection. It's about alignment. So just to wrap up, if I was to start my brand again today, these are the things that I would do differently. Number one, build strategy before aesthetics. Number two, show up as me sooner. Number three, create systems and consistency early on. And number four, step into thought leadership so much faster.

And the bonus Number five, I would give myself room to evolve without overthinking it. Because all of these things just come back to one truth. A fearless brand isn't built overnight. It's built through clarity, consistency, and courage. It's built every time you make a small, brave decision to show up, to refine, to evolve and keep going. And I don't know, honestly, I wouldn't change at all the journey I've had because those lessons have shaped who I am and who the Fearless Designer is today. So if you're in that early stage or even that growth stage, take this as your reminder. You do not need to rush.

You do not need to have it all figured out. You just need to just keep showing up one step at a time, one fearless decision at a time. Because that's when the magic really happens. All right, my friend, that's it for today's episode. If you love this chat and it's got you thinking about what you do differently, and if you, you know, totally, if you started your brand again, but just in general, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a DM on Instagram. Share your reflections with me. I absolutely love hearing about how you're evolving and your brand stories, so keep them.

So until next time, I will catch you very soon. And that's it for today's episode of the Fearless Designer podcast. I hope you're feeling really inspired, fired up, and ready to go make some bold moves with your brand. If you loved today's episode, don't forget to hit the subscribe button so that you never miss a dose of fearless branded goodness. And if you're feeling extra generous, drop us a review. It just helps more fearless legends like you find this podcast. If you've got any ideas or questions for future Epsilon, please slide into my DMs or send me an email. I would love to hear from you.

And until next time, keep being bold. Keep being fearless. And remember, your brand is your superpower. So go out there and dare to be different. Bye.