From Doubt to Design Success: My Top Takeaways from 100 Podcast Episodes

Hey friends, Pam here! I just celebrated the 100th (!) episode of the Six Figure Designer Podcast, and honestly, I’m feeling both nostalgic and incredibly grateful. When I started out, it was just me, a mic, and a whole lotta doubt about whether anyone would care about my stories or advice. But here we are—100 episodes in, with so many lessons, laughs, and “aha” moments behind us! Today, I want to expand on the five biggest themes that have come up time and again—power, dream clients, persistence, real-world connections, and (yep) systems. If you’re ready to bust through your next ceiling, let’s dive in.

100 Episodes Later: Why We’re Still Here

Seriously, I never imagined hitting this milestone when I first started the show. Looking back, it’s wild—I’ve connected with so many talented designers, fielded your questions, and shared my own stumbles and successes. Whether you’ve listened to every episode or you’re brand new, I want you to know: You are 100% in the right place to level up your business.

Theme One: Own Your Power (Even on the Messy Days)

Let’s get real—so many designers (me included) hold ourselves back because things aren’t “ready” or “perfect” yet. We wait to finish the spec book before setting up the meeting, or tweak our website for the millionth time. The truth? Confidence comes from action, not waiting. I can’t tell you how many times I moved forward, scared as heck, and things still worked out.

Here’s a little homework: Write down three things you’re really good at (yup, really!) and talk about them—on your socials, to your clients, wherever. You’ve got skills. Let people know!

Theme Two: Affluent Clients Want Connection, Not Perfection

There’s this big myth that well-off clients are “difficult” or demanding. My experience? Some of my most enjoyable, respectful clients have had the deepest pockets! They’re not looking for the cheapest designer—they want someone who gets them and gets the job done well. If your website copy is all about “DIY hacks” or “budget fixes,” you might be sending the wrong signals! Use words like “custom,” “bespoke,” “premium”—because that’s the language that resonates.

Quick challenge: Peek at your website or Instagram bio right now. Is it calling in your dream, high-end clients—or just anyone and everyone?

Theme Three: Hard Doesn’t Mean You’re Doing It Wrong

Running a design business isn’t easy. I’ve restarted in new cities, sat on the floor thinking, “Maybe I’m not cut out for this,” and watched others’ highlight reels on Instagram. Here’s what I wish I’d known sooner—the “messy middle” is normal! The pain, the setbacks, the dry spells—they’re all part of leveling up.

My suggestion? At the end of each day, jot down one thing you handled better than you would’ve a year ago, and one thing you did really well today (even if it’s tiny!). You’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come.

Theme Four: Connection Beats Perfection Every Time

Some of my absolute biggest projects didn’t show up in my inbox—they happened after I awkwardly showed up to vendor events or reached out to local partners. I’m more of an introvert than people think, but those real-world connections? Totally worth it. If networking feels overwhelming, just focus on one relationship this month. Yep, just one. Nurture it, and see where it leads.

Psst… if you want hands-on help with this, join my Rapid Referrals Challenge. We’ll do it together (and I’ll even help you with the words!).

Theme Five: Systems—Your Secret to Freedom

Oh, systems. Such an unsexy word, but holy heck do they make business (and life!) easier. You cannot scale chaos—trust me, I’ve tried! Even just writing down the steps you take for proposals, pricing, or onboarding can save you hours and stress. Don’t wait for the “perfect” process. Pick one messy area, scribble it out, and start tweaking. It gets easier, promise.

Let’s Wrap Up—Your Next Bold Move

So there you have it—my five most-loved themes from 100 episodes (wow!). If you’re itching to grow, start with just one of these tips this month: show off your strengths, speak to your dream clients, track your wins, nurture a real-world relationship, or start a baby system.

Remember: You’re way more ready—and way more capable—than you think. Your best clients are already looking for someone just like you. Here’s to 100 more episodes, and to YOU breaking through!

If any of this hit home, let me know what resonated most. I truly love hearing from you, and your feedback shapes what we dive into next. See you on the podcast (or maybe at my Naples event!) soon!

Make sure to check out the full podcast episode here and my other blog posts!