I knew this was coming, but have not been looking forward to it. I am the sole Graphic Designer at a printshop. I do not get the chance to do a whole lot of design, and have been more of a pixel pusher for the last 4.5 years. Since covid hit, we had to reduce staff. This put me running the production printer and bindery when I was not on the computer. At the end of July, I discovered this podcast. It has been an absolute goldmine of information for me! I have been binging every time I would go print or do bindery. Now I am all caught up, and am going to miss listening to the podcast every single day. Now I will have to be happy once a week. If anyone is reading this and have not finished the podcast from beginning to end, keep going. I listened to every single minute. Even the episodes I thought did not pertain to me, because I always found hidden gems in each one. I have the Evernote app (tip from the show) and jotted down notes and resources everytime I thought it was helpful to me. This has given me the confidence to open my own business full time again. It won't be tomorrow, because I am taking the time to take the appropriate steps this time to ensure success. All the talent in the world will not guarantee a successful business if you don't know how to run it properly. This podcast has given me what I was missing the first time.

Mark, thank you so much for this podcast. I just branched out on my own, full time, as a graphic designer. Your podcast has been invaluable in the information given, as well as being a motivating virtual “business meeting”! As a social person, getting motivated in the morning when I work for myself from home is difficult. Your podcast inspires me and gets me on the right track every day. I also love getting to learn from your experience so that I don’t have to learn as much from trial and error. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise!

I’ve started taking graphic design classes with my university after 20 years of service both to the county and to local governments as a deputy sheriff (getting ready to retire from both). I’ve decided to change my career. I absolutely love this podcast it inspires me to be better and to do better. Thank you for all the hard work you put into this podcast and keep it up. I hope to work as a graphic designer as a side gig, until I can work full time, or do it as a full time gig.

I came across this podcast at the perfect time. I've been doing web design and graphic design as a side gig for nearly 5 years after learning my skills through the school of hard knocks. I recently decided to take the dive and go all in with my business, ending a 14 year law enforcement career. As soon as I listened to this podcast the first time, I became hooked, and in just 4 weeks I've listened to over 50 episodes! Mark delivers information in a laid back, and sometimes quirky way, that is relevant and useful to anyone who is starting, or already has their own graphic or web design business. The insight I've gained listening to Mark's podcast and reading his 4 week marketing boost, has given me so many ideas for my business and has undoubtedly saved me time, money, and aggravation. Thank you Mark for an amazing podcast! I now have a sense of confidence about moving into my business full time next month, and am blessed to have a several month waitlist of clients! I also have Mark to thank for introducing me to the world of print brokering, which has added a wealth of opportunity and value for my business. Keep up the good work!

I've been listening to the Resourceful Designer podcast for five months now. I must say that it's been a blessing to me and my graphic design business. Prior to listening to the podcast I was working a job that was good but wasn't fulfilling. Mark gave me the confidence to resign from my job and switch to a full-time home based designer.

I’ve learned so much with this great podcast always turn it on while I drive to work.

I was searching for graphic design podcasts and I’m really happy to have found this one. It’s so fun to listen to and has helped me in many different aspects of my business that I needed improvement on. I haven’t been disappointed. Thanks for an awesome podcast!

I love listening to Marc speak. His episodes are well built and clearly presented. I am a home-based designer in Israel and a mother of six. Marc, Please keep on going! You are very inspiring. G-d bless you. P.S. I love that I am the first review from Israel!

I was struggling, felt overwhelmed and like I had no resources to deal with how I felt about my business. I struggle listening to podcasts with interviews and I LOVE that this is not one of those. Being a Work at home MOTHER of two kids under 5 is also very difficult. Finding Mark's podcast has changed so many things in my business, including the title I give myself now! I feel so blessed to have come across it. I listen to it any chance I can, and have purposly taken some long car trips just to binge-listen to them! Thanks Mark for taking time out of your LIFE to help others for FREE to improve their personal design business, along with their sanity! I know you've helped me more than I can express. Keep it up! Yours truly, your number one WAHM fan! GOD BLESS YOU!

I’ve been a home based graphics designer for about 6 years. Once a week a make a 5hr drive to get to seminary, and every now and then I’d put on a random podcast to get me through the drive. About 2 months ago I came across the Resourceful Designer podcast, and it has seriously changed my life. I've been struggling to get my business off of the ground and achieve the goals that I set for myself by getting consistent design business. But ever since I began listening, I've had such a boost in confidence that I'm sure it's part of the reason why I've been getting so much new business lately. Mark, you are the man! The advice you give and those great Resources of the Week have taken my design business to a whole new level. Sometimes when I'm feeling overwhelmed or having a creative block, I simply play one of your podcast, and my spirit is renewed, propelling me back into my home office and back to work. Thank you so much for blessing me and other designers with such a valuable gem! As I said before, you are the man! Please keep em’ coming.

Thought I would finally write a review. Marc does a fantastic job giving advice, tips, and answering questions. He a way of presenting the information that makes you want to listen more!

I just discovered Mark's podcast (two weeks ago, in fact) and have been blown away by how articulate, informative, and actionable Mark's tips are. I've learned so much from just listening to the last two podcasts. So much so, I immediately subscribed. Thank you Mark, for sharing your knowledge and experience with your listeners. It's greatly appreciated! (This is my first review for a podcast in a long, long time.)

Mark truly knows how to guide fledgling designers down the right road to getting themselves started. Truly appreciate the awesome advice on this podcast!

This is the only design podcast that I can get into and I always look forward to new episodes. I find most of Mark’s topics applicable to my own experience and I like his style and tone. I like Mark’s modest and down-to-earth approach, unlike other design podcasts I used to listen to before I discovered The Resourceful Designer. I’ve reached out to Mark on a few occasions and he’s always been very helpful.

Whether you're a junior designer or an executive creative, an employee, freelance or an entrepreneur, you will either learn something new or be reminded of the methods and principles your ego made you forget. A fun, funny, and always useful series of designer stories. Thank you, Mark.

This is a fantastic resource, I've been recommending it to my designer friends. Recently discovering this myself, I have now gone back and listened to them in order from the beginning. I don't want to miss anything. Thanks so much for putting this together!

I'm a lawyer in the U.S. who started out my own practice and Mark's podcast has been a great resource as I have developed my own website and begun working on my own. Mark covers a variety of topics that are not just for designers - much of what he covers is easily applicable to a variety of small businesses. For example, he talks about working on your own and winning clients. If you have your own website as I do, then his discussion of design matters and web design in general is a great help for those who are trying to do this on your own. Keep up the great work, Mark!

I started listening to Mark's podcast almost 2 years ago. Back then I was getting ready to launch my solo design business. Having worked as a designer for over 12 years, I was confident in my design skills, but there was a lot I still needed to learn about running a business full-time. From the start, the podcast was a great help. Mark tackles real-world scenarios and situations and walks the listeners through the lessons he learned through it all. All of the advice is very practical and presents opportunities and lessons that I can apply to my own business. I highly recommend this for designers on all levels who run their own business or who are considering starting it up.

I think the content is good in the beginning. You can tell now Mark is running out of content and is not as insightful and helpful as in the beginning which is to be expect for this type of content. I've been a part of the Facebook group he started. The designs are very amateur so it is a good group if your new and need guidance. But for someone who is more of a veteran and wants to be inspired by talented designers and artist, steer clear from that FB group. I've seen some of Mark's work. He is a mediocre designer, can tell he started his design career from a different era. I respect that he has made a career doing his design. So to summarize, it's good podcast for your business if you're starting out, even occasionally tips here and there if you been running a design business. Therefore to rate this podcast as a business podcast and not a design podcast, it is OK

Hey mark, I just wanted to thank you for making such a great podcast. One might say a life changing podcast. So I started your podcast a few months back and got hooked immediately. I’ve been doing graphic design for about 11 years now but always just as a hobby and at a few local print shops. I’ve always wanted to make graphic design a career but never knew how to run a graphic design business. You’ve answered so many of my questions and questions I didn’t even know I had.After listening to your podcast you’ve given me the confidence and knowledge for me to take the leap and finally start my own at home graphic design business. I look forward to listening to your podcast in the future. Especially from the comfort of my home instead of the 9-5 job.Keep up the great work mark. Thanks again -Matt

Mark is very down to earth and shares so much knowledge that is only acquired by experience. I am so grateful I found his podcast! Keep up the good work Mark 🍀🍀🍀🌈😀

I am an amateur, self taught designer in the process of starting a home based design business. I discovered Mark’s podcast a little over a week ago, and started from the ground up. Mark talks as if it’s just you and him chatting. He is very helpful, and has great advise. I really appreciate it Mark, and I am using your advise, and practices, on a daily basis.

I had been feeling "stuck" in my design skills for a while and started a plan to plug myself and refresh. Finding a podcast to subscribe to was one of my goals to find motivation and inspiration. I listed to a few of the other graphic design podcasts available and to me they were boring and did not deliver what was described and I found myself fast-forwarding through a lot of the non-design content they talked about. From the moment I listened to Resurceful Designer I was hooked. I started listening from the very first episode and have worked myself up to episode 52 and in the past few days decided to listen to the newly released episodes to stay up to date. It has been a game changer and has provided so much inspiration and motivation in my design career! Thanks Mark and keep the good content coming!

I started listening to Mark's podcast about a year ago. I have loved the helpful tips and insight he provides about freelance design. And his interactions with the listeners shows how much he cares about the design community. Thank you Mark, I've learned a lot from you.

The way Mark brings you into the life of a independant grapic designer is super helping and inspiring. He goes deeply into the issues we all deal with, answering the questions that plague our minds as we work away alone. He has created a community with this podcast and through it we all know, we can DO this and we are not in this alone! Thanks Mark!

Mark does a great job addressing a variety of design subjects on this show. He always shares from a personal perspective with actual examples from his own business. I like that he's willing to "get personal" and explain what he's learned from his past projects. Good advice here from a guy who doesn't need to belabor his point to make an impact. Good stuff, and a good length for his format.

Mark, your advice for someone who decided to take graphic design seriously has been amazing! The information you give has been very helpful! I am applying most of your advice to my business. I also love the enthusiasm you add to your episodes. I look forward to hearing more from you.

This show is chock full of extremely helpful information. Mark does an amazing job curating great resources and has incredible insights that are helpful for freelance designers especially working from home. I strongly recommend this show for anyone working independently in the graphics/web industry.

Mark De Cotes does a phenomenal job and I recommend his podcast to every creative I know. His episodes are concise, focused, packed full of good advice and useful, down-to-earth information. Mark really has a way making you feel like he is speaking directly to his listeners. He shares his own personal experiences about what has worked for him, and how he applies what he's talking about. But for me, what's even more valuable is when he talks about what didn't work and how he used that to improve. Everywhere I've been in the last 6 months, Mark De Cotes has been right there, talking in my ear and filling me with inspiration and motivation. Thank you for all you do and I love your podcast.

I recently decided I was going to venture my way back into the graphic-design world in starting a side business from home. This podcast has given me so much insight into what I need to expect moving forward. Love the show.

The Resourcesful Designer Podcast is an amazing resource for anyone who wants to run their own design business. I am currently in the process of starting my own web design business and I learn something new in every episode! The host, Mark Des Cotes, is very easy to listen to and does a great job of presenting his content. Whether you are new to the game or a veteran designer, I recommend that you tune in to this podcast.

I stumbled upon this podcast accidentally while at work one day. I work as a graphic designer for a small business, but I have never been formally trained or worked at an agency. I had always daydreamed about starting a home-based design business, but never thought I could because I have no degree in it or "real" experience. This podcast has given me the confidence to start my own business and answered all of the questions I had. Great job!

I subscribe to a few different graphic design podcasts but Mark's is by far the most applicable to running your own design business. I find the episodes well organized, tackle a variety of real life topics that design business owners encounter, and just the right balance of information and entertainment. It's like having your own mentor speaking into your ears. His Canadian accent is also very comforting to a Canadian living abroad!

Thanks Mark, for the great podcast. I love how it addresses the business side of design. You have a lot of great info and I am enjoying learning about you and your business and how it can apply to my own. keep up the great work!

A couple months ago, I was almost at the end of my rope. I've had my "business" for a couple years, but have yet to make any profit. After listening to your podcasts (literally binge-listened like people do with Netflix), I have gotten all new clarity and actual direction. I figured out that where I was missing the boat before was that I was trying to do it all on my own - I had no resources, no one to share the struggles with, and no idea how to run a business! Now, I'm pumped and ready to go! I'm in the middle of redesigning my brand to reign my services in a little (realized I had too many offerings which made it more complicated than it needed to be, like marketing consulting). But seriously, thank you for continuing with this podcast and the wonderful Facebook group, both of which has become true resources for my business and a personal endurance-builder for myself. Keep up the fantastic work!!!

I was looking for a podcast about graphic design business, and have enjoyed listening to this one.

Very informative podcast. It's not about design itself, but about the business side of the design. I find kind of hard to get into the design community, I don't understand why (at least that's my experience). Mark is sharing all kinds of useful resources, best practices, do's and dont's. Thanks a lot, Mark, for this big service to the designer community!

I'm a computer science teacher in California trying to earn extra money on the side as a web designer. I teach kids all day to code and create websites and thought I could offer help to businesses who are not happy with their service. Your podcast has been a great intro into life as a designer and has given me some great tips to keep in mind while I grow my business.

I stumbled upon this podcast about 3 days ago and I've almost listened to all of the episodes! This podcast is so helpful with getting my own business up and running. Mark's insight, knowledge, and resources are priceless and the fact that this is free information is beyond amazing as well. Thank you Mark!

I have been listening to Mark Des Cotes' "Resourceful Designer" podcasts for months now and I am never let down. As a designer that has graduated from a home based business to owning a firm, I have dealt with many of the same situations he speaks on, but handled many in different (not better) ways. As business owners, we learn from our mistakes more than any other way. Mark puts himself out there so that others can learn from his mistakes. That is invaluable for a home based business as well as a firm. For that, thank you Mark.

I did a search for graphic design podcast a while back and I landed on this one and another one that is focused mostly on the graphic design part of the business. When I listened to the first episode I landed on Mark stated that he would only be discussing the business side and I thought "Oh no! This is going to be bad". But I kept listening and it made so much sense! It was perfect timing because I had decided to get serious with my work and had decided to start an LLC and really get into it. I can say that for me personally having Mark explain business topics for graphic design is more valuable than anyother resource. The busines side is what holds designers back. It is in fact a busines that I am trying to run, and these tips that I will continue to learn from Mark really do relieve the stress of trying to free ball that aspect of my love for graphic design. The relief of having a go to guide for billing and plans for stayin away from certain clients really freed up my brain to produce better graphics. An episode the other day about how a graphic designer might be losing busines by talking over the customers head was an appifany for me. It has changed everything. I was so guilty of using terms and not explainging them! And I never once realized it. I look foward to listening to more great information contained in his podcast! Thank you so much Mark, Eric

Mark Des Cotes does a fantastic job at providing tips, tricks, options, and opinions, as well as advice, for business owners in the design industry. His podcast is a wealth of information and anyone who is currently running a design business or contemplating it should subscribe. Great content. Reliable and enjoyable. Thanks Mark.

I'm a graphic designer that commutes about an hour to work each morning, and I've got to say, this podcast really gets me going! Mark has inspired to me to prepare for my own home-based graphic design business by giving me the tools AND the courage I need! Thank you Mark for these invaluable resources. Maybe we can have coffee over it sometime when you visit the U.S.!

I am just starting my home graphic design business and came across your pod cast a couple of weeks ago. After listening to that show I had to go back and start at the beginning. Thank you for this resource it has helped answer questions that I did not know that I had.

Thanks so much for sharing such great and useful information on your podcast. I just found you and am listening from the beginning...on episode 20 next. Stacie

I love these podcasts! They are so helpful and give me simple tips to running my new design business productively. Really great to hear from someone who has achieved longevity in this business with steady clientele! Awesome information!

I have been an independent graphic designer working out of my home studio for over a decade and I LOVE listening to this podcast! Mark is so positive and helpful. Thank you for your generous time and for your great podcast.

This is a fantastic NO NONSENSE podcast for anyone interested in or involved in the real life world of graphic design. Mark is clear, concise, and very easy to listen to. His practical knowledge of design and running a home based graphic design business has proved extremely helpful to me! I'll be a faithful listener for as long as Mark decides to cintinue Resourceful Designer! Cheers, Michael H.

I have been listening to a handful of episodes, and his stances on designer errors and awards is like listening to myself. Spot on! After listening to 5 or so episodes, I have downloaded the rest of the podcasts. This is a well produced podcast.

I have been searching for a resource to gauge my own business and learn some new tips and tricks. This one is it. Every episode is relevant and useful. There is never any run-on and/or “filler”. There is a good flow and it is never boring. I can’t wait for the next episode.