What were three harder lessons you learned about running a design studio?

Good smart article. Thanks for the mention @jon!

“Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language most appealing to learning and recognition.”

Which is critical for emails where content is read like a billboard.

@giovanni! I recognized that name but couldn't place it. Good to hear from you again :)

I've used Full Story when I was at Relay Foods. I think Chip Lay is good friends with those guys. Congrats on joining the team and congrats on the sale of the product!

The people who are feeling negative about external design teams in my opinion are either feeling that way because they didn't know how to run a business and make money making meaningful business for their clients or they may not understand the value of a group that is not as tied to the product. As I go to a counselor or coach for outside insight, so to our clients come to us similarly.

Not every product deserves a team. Not every product needs outside insight. There's SO many ways to do things and lots of business getting done on the internet :)

Maybe we could figure out a way to use Full Story for Really Good Emails and you all could help us use it wisely and write about what it's doing for RGE? We love helping others grow!

@giovanni. Great questions.

1) I'm currently doing both in a sense. I'm working hard on Really Good Emails while running and building Fathom & Draft which is a full service design firm. I think the choice for me came down to what made me happiest. I did about 6 years of running creative for other companies with exciting possibilities of payouts, but that never happened for me. I like being closer to the steering wheel. I'd ask yourself what makes you feel the most happy, most free? What makes you feel like you get your best work done? Ask your friends. Ask your spouse. I'm SUPER happy doing what I am now and making twice what I was making at those product companies :D

2) Starting Fathom & Draft is the culmination of all that I've learned in the last 10 years. I am taking on giant and medium projects alike—but nothing I don't love. I get to build teams based on who I want to work with and who fits the challenges we're facing. We are working with companies in the Fortune 10, and we're working with small startups. We love making meaning, and creating real value. I hate doing design that's not getting business done. It's just not for me. I'd rather be valuable than sexy.

Plus to my point before I just love doing my own thing. I like knowing that if the shit hits the fan it's on me. It's either in my control or it's in God's hands. It's either something I did well, something I did poorly, or it's a volcano or the flowers coming up that I can't do anything about.

Are you thinking of starting something? Are you thinking of working for a startup? When you're making decisions I recommend reading "Decisive" https://smile.amazon.com/Decisive-Make-Better-Choices-Life/dp/0307956393?sa-no-redirect=1

Great question man!

well played sir, well played.

Stoked to get this out there.

Marc, great answers. The site was having issues earlier today. Looking into it. Your link was to a watch site though :D

I feel you on eating. Alchohol has been that for me. Learning to imbibe anything, food or alcohol, has been a mask. I think a lot of us passionate people are like that.

Thanks for the honesty. Hope we get to surf together one day :)

Two questions:

1) If you were me, what would you do next with Really Good Emails?

2) What's one thing you regularly do that you try not to do, but keep doing anyway? Work or personal. Your choice ;)