Practical advice from experienced practitioners
Want to work with people who successfully ran their own creative business in Australia; who have a track record mentoring and who understand the Australian market, clients and industry?
If so, we're the business advisors for you.
We help designers manage their business better
We mentor creatives about the business of design.
Many mentors and coaches come from a business background. We flipped the switch — we're design practitioners. Our knowledge and expertise comes from years of founding, managing and growing a successful creative studio.
Why choose the Design Business Council?
The internet is teaming with coaches, mentors, business advisors and consultants of all shapes and sizes. Why choose us? (So pleased you asked!)
We’re practitioners
We’re practitioners turned mentors. Unlike general business coaches or consultants who’ve never run a creative business, we combine hands-on experience with industry insights.
We understand
We understand creative businesses are unique. They’re not the same as other service businesses. Creative businesses need different systems and approaches than traditional small businesses — something we’ve learned through both running and mentoring creative teams
We’re practical
Over the past decade, we’ve had the privilege of mentoring hundreds of Australian design businesses. I means we have deep insights into what works across different business models and sizes (and what doesn’t!).
We advocate
We’re embedded in the Australian design ecosystem. We’ve volunteered for and partnered with many design associations through committees, mentoring and boards. We use our position to actively advocate on behalf of creatives.
We’re independent
Our mentoring is evidence-based and proven not subjective and knee-jerk. We conduct ongoing research into Australian design practice, which means our advice is grounded in current industry data, not just personal opinion.
We’re holistic
We look at the whole picture because creatives live their business, we get that. From team dynamics to financial systems, client relationships to business development — because we know in a creative business, all the elements are interconnected.
We research
We’ve developed practical tools and conducted self-led research like our Creative Business Canvas and Design Maturity framework — tools specifically created for design businesses based on real industry experience.
We’re not done yet
We’re still actively learning and evolving. Through our ongoing work with design leaders and industry research, we continue to refine our understanding of what makes creative businesses thrive.
Two ways to work with us
All our mentoring is tailored to you, your needs, your skillset and your business.
Here's two of the most common ways we 'package' mentoring.
Within a structured program
This is a structured commitment focused on creating lasting positive change. It combines monthly mentoring sessions with practical tools and ongoing support.
Why this program works:
✅ It’s structured: we’ll unpack the real problem and write a roadmap
✅ it’s focused: we’re all working toward an agreed objective
✅ it’s relevant: solutions are based on your needs, business and clients
✅ it’s practical: less business jargon, more action
✅ it’s proven: it’s based on industry insights and experience
✅ it’s supported: we work alongside you for 3 months.
This is not just a program for ‘big’ studios – it’s just as relevant for independent creatives as established teams.
We’re flexible
The contract is a minimum of 3 months. Enough time to unpack the challenge, suggest options, implement change and see results — but don’t feel constrained. For some clients with a larger challenge we work together for longer; for others we’re on a quarterly retainer to help maintain momentum and keep them on track.
Investment
Cost is $2000 + GST per month. Minimum of 3 month commitment.
Interested? Let’s jump on a call to talk options.
Issue-based mentoring
Issue-based mentoring is perfect for unexpected challenges and particularly valuable for small teams who just need a sounding board before they make a tough decision.
Issue-based mentoring is perfect for:
✅ studio owners navigating tricky business decisions
✅ creative directors wanting benchmark advice
✅ growing studios hitting challenges
✅ designers wanting to research new markets
✅ partners needing mediation
✅ someone wanting to validate their strategic thinking.
Why trust us?
We’ve lived the journey. From running our own successful design studio to mentoring hundreds of creative businesses across Australia, we understand what works (and what doesn’t) in our market.
Investment
Sometimes you don’t need a full program — just a focused discussion with someone who gets it. We’re available at $500 + GST per hour.
Interested?
Why talk to Greg and discuss your specific challenge and how we can help.
Some of the topics we’ve recently tackled
- higher fee paying clients – moving existing clients up the design ladder
- future planning – adjusting the work:life balance of a business owner
- repositioning – strategies and tactics to target a new client sector
- productivity – working hard but no profits? We help improve output without lessening creativity or working longer hours
- team culture – building a happy and productive team of creatives
- structure – introducing better policies and procedures to cope with significant growth
- partnerships – helping maintain the status quo of the studio.