Seriously in Business: Brand + Design, Marketing and Business
(Previously: "Design Hacks for DIYers") The podcast for all things branding, design, marketing and business strategy for your small biz. Hosted by Jacqui Naunton, pro graphic designer and coach at White Deer Graphic Design. This is the podcast for small biz owners (aka, entrepreneurs) who love to have fun AND take their biz seriously. We'll be diving into DIY graphic design and the crucial role it plays in building a successful business... a business that is not only your passion but is taken seriously by the world. You'll also get to learn key branding insights from yours truly, as well...
260: What Iâd Do Differently If I Rebranded Today
Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/jacquinaunton_Rebranding Terms & Conditions apply.*
If youâre thinking about rebranding⌠this is your sign to STOP before you open Canva.
Because the biggest mistake I see?
Itâs not bad design⌠itâs bad strategy.
Iâm walking you through exactly how to rebrand your business the right way⌠so youâre not back here in 3 months wondering why it didnât work. Weâre going beyond colours, logos and fonts⌠and diving into the strategy that actually makes yo...
259: Why Your Content Takes So Long (Itâs NOT What You Think)
https://whitedeer.com.au/multiplyGrab your FREE Canva repurposing system: https://whitedeer.com.au/mutiply
Last year, I shared something slightly embarrassing⌠I had published nearly 200 podcast episodes, and barely repurposed any of them.
Which meant hundreds of hours of valuable content were basically sitting there⌠unseen.
Today Iâm pulling back the curtain on what actually changed everything for me. Because spoiler: the problem wasnât what I thought it was⌠and itâs probably not what you think either.
If content creation feels overwhelming, messy, or inconsistent, this is going to shi...
258: You Donât Need More Content⌠You Need THIS Repurposing System
Grab your FREE Canva repurposing system: https://whitedeer.com.au/repurpose
If youâve ever felt like youâre putting SO much effort into your content⌠and barely seeing results, this video is going to hit home.
Because itâs not that your content isnât good enough. Itâs that youâre not fully USING it.
Iâm sharing the exact shift I made about 50 episodes ago with my podcast that completely changed how I approach content... and how I turned one podcast into 20+ pieces of strategic content without adding more to my workload.
...257: How I Actually Manage Finances of a Course, Coaching + Agency Business (With My Accountant Mum!)
Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/jacquinaunton_SwitchToXero Terms & Conditions apply.*
Running a business isnât just about the visible parts⌠the branding, marketing, and client work.
Behind every growing business is a whole ecosystem of systems, numbers, and processes quietly doing the heavy lifting.
In this episode, Iâm pulling back the curtain on the backend of my business... and Iâve brought in a very special guest to help!
My mum, Sharon Gleeson, who just happens to be an accountant with 40+ years of...
256: 6 Mistakes That Ruin Your Design Project (Before It Even Starts)
Work with my design agency: www.whitedeer.com.au/studio
If youâve ever hired a designer and the experience went sideways⌠youâll want to watch this video.
Because while outsourcing design can save you time and elevate your brand, it can also go off the rails very quickly if the process isnât handled properly.
Today Iâm flipping the script a little. Usually I teach you how to DIY your branding and graphics in Canva. But since my design studio currently has a few openings, I thought this was the perfect ti...
255: 5 Backend Systems Every Legit Business Needs
Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/jacquinaunton_5Systems
Terms & Conditions apply.*
If youâve ever felt like your business doesnât feel âlegitâ yet⌠this video will change that. Iâm sharing 5 systems that make you look professional AND feel organised (even before you hit 100k).
Looking professional isnât just about having a beautiful logo or a polished Instagram feed.
Itâs about whatâs happening behind the scenes of your business.
If your business feels chaotic, slow-growing, or stuck in hobby mode⌠chance...
254: This Canva template mistake is slowing down your business
You buy the beautiful Canva template. You swap the colours. You change the fonts. You tweak the elements. And somehow⌠it still looks off. Amateur. Messy. Not quite right.
The Canva templates arenât the problem, itâs because you havenât been trained in design principles.
Iâm unpacking why Canva hacks and templates feel like the solution (because we LOVE ease and efficiency)⌠but why they fall flat if you donât understand the rules behind them. And in 2026, when attention spans are shorter than ever and trust is built in milliseconds, this matters more t...
253: Using LinkedIn to Book Clients (Without Social Media Overwhelm) with Hailey Rowe
If youâve ever looked at LinkedIn and thought, âNope, not for meâŚâ, I brought on marketing and LinkedIn queen, Hailey Rowe, to chat about how sheâs booking 2â4 quality calls a week without daily posting, premium plans, or spending hours on content.
We break down the exact steps to start using LinkedIn as a low-lift, high-reward platform for connecting with dream clients and collaborators. If Instagramâs burning you out⌠this is your sign to explore new options.
In this episode, we cover:
Why LinkedIn is secretly powerful for coaches + service providers The two groups of pe...252: The Real Experience Behind My Brand Photoshoot (Planning + On The Day Tips)
Whether youâre a few months into business or well established, having brand photos makes your design work 100x easier and builds massive trust with your audience.
Hereâs what I cover:
Why brand photo shoots matter more than you thinkDIY vs Pro: which route is right for your stage of bizHow I chose my photographer (and why I travelled!)Outfit planning tips and why brand colours matterThe posing cheat sheet I created for my shootSpotify Photoshoot Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1UjWSHNzEVFxcwVrJe1PbA?si=fe0dc23808bf40b4
Timestamps
Intr...
251: The Smarter Way to Build a Brand in Todayâs Online Business World
Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k đ https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass
One of the biggest questions new business owners face is this:
Should I outsource my design or learn to do it myself?
I unpack how design has changed dramatically over the last 15 years (spoiler: you now need way more graphics than you used to) and how that impacts your decision to outsource or DIY. I also share the real costs of both paths, not just financially, but in momentum and autonomy... and introduce my signature framework that helps you strike the...
250: 5 Ways I Teach My Students to Use AI in Design (That Isnât Actually Designing)
DIY Design my Biz Course đ www.whitedeer.com.au/diydmb
AI might be everywhere right now, but itâs not yet the magical designer that spits out perfect branded designs the moment you ask it. However⌠there are incredibly practical ways to use AI that will save you time, help you create better design outcomes, support your clarity and build confidence as you design.
I share FIVE ways on how I use AI strategically, from getting clarity on your audience, to brainstorming inspiration, to reviewing your final design for improvements.
Whether youâre AI-curiou...
249: Brand Rules: When They Matter⌠and When They Donât
Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k đ https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass
Most business owners think branding rules are optional because theyâre DIYing their brand⌠but your branding rules are one of the biggest drivers of recognisability, trust, and sales in your business. The trick is knowing when those rules are nonânegotiable and when you can be a little fluid with them without hurting your brand integrity.
In this podcast, Iâm walking you through exactly what branding rules are, why consistency matters more than you realise, and how to decide whether to follow t...
248: Steal My Social Media Design Workflow and Make Designing Faster and Easier
Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k đ https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass
90% of business owners tell me the SAME thing... design feels hard, slow and draining. You know you should post. You know you have ideas⌠but the minute you open Canva, your brain shuts down. Colors. Fonts. Layouts. Decision after decision. And then you donât post at all.
In this episode, Iâm showing you how to make DESIGNING POSTS feel easy again. Not perfect. Not awardâwinning. Just clear, consistent and fast. And Iâm sharing where design is stealing your time, and how...
247: Youâre More On Track in Business Than You Realise
Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k đ https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass
In todayâs episode, weâre flipping the usual business marketing script. Instead of telling you everything youâre doing wrong, I want to celebrate everything youâre already doing right. So much of marketing conditions us to feel like weâre never enough: not posting enough, not strategic enough, not clever enough.
But thereâs another way. What if you started noticing your progress... even the tiny things? What if you gave yourself permission to be exactly where you are and STILL grow? Thi...
246: Building a Profitable, Spacious Business (No Matter Where You Live) with Tori Kopke
In this podcast, I chat with the inspiring Tori Kopke, a coach and rural business owner living in the wheatâbelt of Western Australia. Tori shares what a real day looks like when youâre juggling farm life, motherhood and running a profitable coaching business ⌠and how a few simple mindset shifts and smart systems have helped her build a business that fits her life (rather than consumes it).
We dig into how she went from corporate oil & gas to marketing agency to rural business coach, why âvalue over timeâ changed everything, and how she built a team and s...
245: The Confidence Loop: How Belief Transforms Your Design (and Your Results)
Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k đ https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass
You might have all the Canva skills or templates in the world, but if youâre designing from a place of doubt⌠well, those graphics wonât sing. Iâm talking about the real behindâtheâscenes thing that determines whether your brand looks polished, cohesive and like a brand people want to buy from.
Youâll learn:
Why confidence is MORE important than fancy templates or perfect fonts when youâre building your brandThe three-step âConfidence Loopâ that will transform how you create: Clarity...244: Designing for Emotion, Not Just Aesthetics: How to Make People Feel Something
Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k đ https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass
Or learn more about DIY Design my Biz đ https://diydesignmybiz.com/limited
Ever scrolled past a graphic on Instagram and⌠instantly forgot it existed? That might be exactly whatâs happening with your graphics if theyâre missing this one crucial thing: emotion.
In this episode, Iâm diving into one of the most underused design strategies in business: using feeling to guide how you design. When your visuals convey emotion, they donât just look good, they connect. Thatâs what drives acti...
243: The Anti-Design Trend: Doing Less (Visually) to Stand Out More
Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k đ https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclass
If youâve ever opened Canva and felt the urge to add just one more thing... a shadow here, a glow there, maybe a new font âjust this onceâ, youâre not alone. But hereâs the truth that most designers wonât tell you: over-designing your graphics might actually be lowering your brandâs perceived value.
In this episode, Iâm pulling back the curtain on what I call the AntiâDesign Method. Itâs all about creating graphics that feel clear, clean and high-e...
242: The time & profit shortcuts to create a freedomâfirst business
Joining me is Shay Brown, coâfounder and COO of Bucketlist Bombshells, freedomâlover and business strategist extraordinaire. We dig into how sheâs built a purposeâdriven, multiâ6âfigure business without burning out; how she works roughly 25â30 hours a week; and how you can choose the right business model for your season too.
Whether youâre curious about whether to do a course, a membership or highâticket âdoneâwithâyouâ, this chat is for you.
What youâll learn:
Why your business model should start with âWhat does your niche want?â The trap of lowâticket courses vs th...241: Why Rebranding Alone Never Works (Here's What You're Missing)
Join the Co+Creation Design Club: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/club
I chat with Jessica, a fellow designer turned business owner, about what really goes on behind the scenes of a rebrand, why even designers struggle to do it for themselves, and how the right support turns brand chaos into clarity and momentum.
We keep it real (kids, beads and all) and talk through the nittyâgritty of design blocks, DIY frustrations and how to step into a brand youâre proud of.
What we cover:
Jessicaâs story: launching her business in matern...240: The Carousel Post That Beat Their Reels (Getting 28K views!)
Join the Co+Creation Design Club: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/club
Today Iâm chatting with ChloeâŻ&âŻVickie of The Movement Perspective, two clever Pilatesâstudio owners and coaches who recently created a standout Instagram carousel that blew the roof off their reach. We dig into how the idea came about, how they designed it (with a little help from me), what roadblocks they faced and the exciting results that followed.
Key Takeaways:
How they transformed raw membershipâstatistic data into a visually compelling carousel The importance of brand colours, font hierarchy, arrows, movement and design...239: The Shortcut to a Brand You Actually Love
Join the Co+Creation Design Club: https://www.diydesignmybiz.com/club
Today Iâm chatting with Sarah from the Co+Creation Design Club (and previously the DIY Design My Biz crew) about what happens when your visuals donât feel like you anymore. We dig into the moment when you know âsomethingâs offâ, how to spot it, and how to move from uninspired graphics to a brand you own and love. This oneâs for you if youâre showing up in business but your graphics are just⌠there.
Itâs time to make them matter.
238: Hire Right, Lead Boldly with Ash Battye
What if hiring someone isnât the answer⌠because you havenât defined your OWN job yet?
In this episode, Iâm joined by Ash Battye - leadership coach, business owner and founder of Emerald HQ - to unpack the not-so-glamorous but super essential reality of hiring in small business.
We dive into what actually needs to happen before you post your first job ad (spoiler: it starts with YOU), how to delegate without micromanaging, and how to recover if a hire isnât the right fit.
Whether youâre prepping for your first VA or...
237: My Personal Canva Organisation System: How I Keep My Designs (and Sanity) in Check
Ever opened Canva and immediately wanted to close your laptop again?
Maybe itâs the 47 unnamed filesâŚ
Or that logo you swear you uploaded but canât find anywhereâŚ
Or just the time-suck of starting from scratch every single time.
In this episode, Iâm walking you through the exact system I use to organise my Canva like a pro, and save HOURS of design time every month.
Hereâs what youâll learn:
Why your Canva chaos isnât about the app 5 must-do steps to organise your Canva for goodHo...236: If Your Canva Could Talk, Hereâs What It Would Say About Your Brand
If Canva could talk, it would probably throw some serious sass your way...
In this cheeky but wildly helpful podcast episode, I share what your Canva chaos is actually trying to tell you about your brand, your systems, and your mindset. Because the truth is... how you use Canva reflects how you run your business.
From version 87 logos to Untitled 45 file names, Iâm walking you through how to fix the mess, streamline your system, and make Canva your biz bestie again.
Hereâs what youâll learn:
Why chaotic Canva files signal...235: The Mindset Shift That Turns Your Canva Designs Into Cashflow
So many women in business get tangled up in all the things they âshouldâ be doing with design. But I firmly believe: mindset (your brain) will always override skills. In this episode, I walk you through three mindset traps I see over and over: perfectionism, comparison, and fear of visibility...plus a bonus mindset shift you can start applying today.
Key Takeaways
Perfectionism: Why chasing âperfectâ stops you from ever showing up Comparison: The sneaky way comparing yourself to others paralyzes creativity (and what to do instead)Fear of Visibility: Why you might avoid showing up, and how...234: How to Use Storytelling in Your Marketing to Become More Visible with Trang Nova
I chat with Trang Nova, a speaking coach, storyteller, and founder, about one of the most powerful tools in your business toolkit: storytelling.
In our conversation, she walks us behind the scenes of her own daily routines, shares her journey from a shy immigrant kid to TEDx speaker, and gives actionable tips for transforming your stories into marketing, content, and connection.
If youâve ever felt stuck trying to sound ârealâ in your posts, stressed about how much backstory to share, or unsure where to drop a story in your emails/website, youâre going to love...
233: The $100 Social Media Shortcut That Could Save You 30+ Hours
You donât have to be on Instagram to grow a business, but if your people are there, itâs a goldmine. The pressure around Insta is real: content, consistency, algorithm, what to post, when to post, how much to sell ⌠itâs overwhelming.
In this episode, I bust myths around Instagram and walk you through the three essential ingredients to posts that actually work... ones you wonât dread creating.
What weâre covering:
Myth of consistency alone: Posting regularly isnât enough if your content is off-brand or directionlessIngredient 1: Strategic Content Pillars: five content p...232 The Expansion That Led To One Of The Biggest Months In My Business Yet
Iâm pulling back the curtain on whatâs really been going on behind the scenes in life and business lately. From building our dream home to launching my course again, winning an award I never thought Iâd even enter, and hosting a retreat with my baby in tow, thereâs been a lot.
If youâre a fellow business owner trying to do big things while living a full life, this episodeâs for you.
What I share in this episode:
The heart (and chaos) behind building our family homeHow I finally re-recorded...231: I Roasted 30 Instagram Feeds: Here are the Top 5 Mistakes I Saw
Ever wondered whatâs really holding back your Instagram from looking professional and attracting clients? After running an Instagram audit experiment with my audience, I discovered some BIG recurring mistakes...and in this episode, Iâm sharing the top five.
From font choices that confuse your audience, to post sizes that kill your reach, to the magic of consistent branding⌠this episode is packed with practical fixes you can apply today.
Inside youâll learn:
Why consistency is the #1 thing your Instagram is probably missingHow fonts tell a story (and what yours are currently saying)The post...230: Your Million-Dollar Course Idea Is Already in You (and How to Find It)
Ever wondered if online courses are still worth it in 2025? With AI, free content everywhere and a crowded market, you might be questioning whether your audience would really pay for one.
In todayâs episode, I chat with Sara Vezensek, who went from private chef on luxury superyachts to building her freedom-based business online. We dive into the realities of online courses, what makes them succeed (or flop), and why YOU already have a million-dollar course idea inside you.
Hereâs what we cover:
Saraâs story from âgolden cageâ yachting life to online coaching f...229: How to Finally Look Consistent on Every Platform (Without Spending Hours)
If your Canva feels like chaos and your feed feels like a guessing game, no matter how hard you try, nothing just falls together...youâre not alone. Thatâs exactly what todayâs episode is all about.
In the first four episodes, we covered your Foundations (B), Aesthetic (U), Identity Toolkit (I), and Logo (L). Now we top the pyramid with D, Design Suite. Itâs what brings your brand together, makes your graphics cohesive, and saves you HOURS of time and overwhelm in Canva.
Key Takeaways:
Fonts, colours, elements create cohesionBuild an atâaâgla...228: Is Your Logo Doing Its Job? (Most Arenât)
If your logo is âfineâ but doesnât feel like you, attract the right clients, or work across platforms... itâs probably not doing its job.
In this episode, Iâm diving into why logos should come after brand foundations, the difference between pretty and purposeful, and how to make your logo work everywhere from websites to socials.
What Youâll Learn:
Why your logo should be one of the last things you designWhat makes a logo purposeful, not just prettyKey mistakes that make logos clunky or hard to useWhat to include (and exclude!) in a clean logo...227: The Design Decision That Builds Instant Trust With Your Audience
Inconsistent fonts. Off-brand colours. Visuals that feel âmeh.â
Sound familiar? Itâs not just a design issue, itâs a TRUST issue.
This is part 3 of the Build Brand Method series and weâre diving into your Identity Toolkit...a key design decision that builds INSTANT trust and makes designing in Canva faster, easier, and more professional.
Inside this episode, Iâll show you:
The 3 design decisions more important than a logoWhy fonts reflect personality (and how to choose the right ones)How colour combos create connection and consistencyThe difference between polished DIY vs Canva...226: Still Donât Know What Your Brand Should Look Like? Start With A Pinterest Moodboard
If youâve ever opened Pinterest for brand inspiration and ended up lost in a rabbit hole of pretty-but-useless pins⌠youâre not alone.
In this episode (Part 2 of my Build Brand Method series), Iâm showing you exactly how to use Pinterest strategically to create a mood board that actually helps you design your brand.
Whether youâve never thought of using Pinterest for branding OR youâve tried but felt overwhelmed, Iâll walk you through:
The 3 biggest mistakes people make when pinning for brand inspirationSearch terms that will give you way better results...225: Before You Design Anything in Your Brand, You Need to Do THIS First
If youâve been feeling like your brand is âfineâ but not WOW⌠chances are, youâre missing this step.
Today Iâm kicking off my Build Brand Model series by breaking down the very first thing you need to get right if you want a brand thatâs magnetic, consistent, and actually works for your business.
Before you even open Canva or pick a colour palette, you need this foundation in place...because when you skip it, you end up with visuals that look nice⌠but donât convert.
In this episode, we cover:
The f...Designing for All: Simple Steps to Make Your Brand More Inclusive with Erin Perkins
Ever wondered if your gorgeous website and emails are missing the mark for millions of people with vision or hearing differences? In this guest podcast episode, Erin Perkins, deafblind accessibility educator and CEO of Mabely Q, joins me to share how small changes can create massive inclusivity in your business and boost trust, engagement & retention.
Key Takeaways
Accessibility isnât just a checkboxSimple, non-overwhelming steps you can start TODAYReal insight into whatâs actually working (and what isnât) for people with vision/hearing lossTools and tips that you can implement right nowABOUT ERIN:
E...
223: What Worked Then Won't Work Now (How to Stop Marketing Like it's 2015)
Can you believe how much has changed since 2015? TikTok didnât exist, Canva was new, and the iPhone 6 was âcutting-edge.â Fast forward to now, and branding and business look totally different.
In this episode, I unpack the radical shifts in tech, consumer behaviour, content expectations, and brand design, so you can stay ahead of the curve in 2025 and beyond.
Marketing today requires more platforms, more content, and more connectionCanva raised the bar, so your design strategy must be sharper than everPeople crave real community and connection with YOU, not a faceless businessConsistency builds brand recognisability and trustY...222: The Power of a Mid-Year Reset (Plus We Have Something Special To Share!)
Running a business that feels good and gives you freedom doesn't just happen by accident. In this behind-the-scenes episode, I chat candidly with my biz bestie Hazal (marketing coach extraordinaire) about how we're using this mid-year moment to reset, reflect, and intentionally map out our next big moves...including our first ever Escape & Expand Retreat!
From juggling business with kids to globe-trotting while working part-time, we share what they're letting go of, how they're expanding, and why it's so important to stop, reflect, and dream bigger no matter what season you're in.
In this episode:<...
221: Q&A Behind The Scenes - Creative Ruts, Boundaries, Business meets mum life & More
This episode is a little different... in the best way.
I went totally off-script and let ChatGPT throw some questions at me that I think YOU would want to ask. Think of it like a friendly, unfiltered chat about all things design, business, Canva, and life.
Hereâs what I answer:
What to do when you hit a creative rut (and why boundaries can spark creativity)My favourite new Canva feature (itâs a game-changer for planning!)Do I think design or messaging is more important?How motherhood made me outsource and grow my bizI...