from the blog

Dream it. Then real life it.
How to control the uncontrollable

How to control the uncontrollable

Trigger warning: Gettin' real about loss, life, self-talk and anxiety.  I'm writing this email on February 3rd. There's nothing special or remarkable about today, and I think we can all agree that today is definitely not the new year. It's not the western New Year...

read more
The Designer’s Quick Start Burnout Survival Guide

The Designer’s Quick Start Burnout Survival Guide

 You know how they say you don’t get to choose your family, but you have the power to choose your people? My people are – and probably always will be - designers. (And, btw, I’m lucky ‘cause I’d totally choose my family, too. They’re cute pains in the butt, but...

read more
The real reason you’re not  getting new clients

The real reason you’re not getting new clients

Spoiler alert: It isn't because your website sucks (but, y'know, if it does, you should definitely do something about that). And if you've wrung out every ounce of your blood, sweat and tears to create a beautiful brand and website but you're still left wondering why...

read more
Good Girl

Good Girl

 Growing up, I was proud to be the "good girl".I got good grades, did good chores, said good things, had good manners and feltgood when I was referred to as the "good" one of the family.... Even though it meant playing small, keeping quiet and never pushing back.Even...

read more
It’s business. Not personal.

It’s business. Not personal.

Have you ever caught your parent in one of those,“Do as I say, not as I do” moments?"Like, Mum, why are you allowed to devour a Kit Kat 20 minutes before dinner,but *I* have to die of starvation so I don’t “ruin my appetite”?!Well, the irony recently caught up with...

read more
Why you should become an entrepreneurial shapeshifter

Why you should become an entrepreneurial shapeshifter

 Alright, I’ll admit it: I believe in magic.⁣⁣Yep, I’m a grown-ass woman that believes in magic.⁣Not sorry.⁣⁣But I don’t believe in the kind of magic that’ll gain me admission to Hogwarts,⁣or even score me a starring role in a Vegas show.⁣⁣I believe in the kind of...

read more
Behind the scenes of our very first digital summit

Behind the scenes of our very first digital summit

Listen to this episode of the podcast here or read the transcript below. Anna Dower:Hey everyone, it's Anna here. Welcome to The Uncool Designer. Today I am talking with my friend, my partner in crime, Emma Kate, and we're going to be talking about the Designer Boss...

read more
Do I really need a nichĂŠ?

Do I really need a nichĂŠ?

Listen to the NICHE ME episode of the uncool designer here or read the transcript below.  Today, I'm going to be talking everything niche. As my American counterparts call it, niche, but you're going to hear my beautiful Aussie accent call it niche today. I'm going to...

read more
How to get quick, fast cash injections in your design biz

How to get quick, fast cash injections in your design biz

Listen to the CASH INJECTIONS episode of the uncool designer here or read the transcript below. $So today I wanted to talk about cash injections, basically ideas and concepts on how to make some quick money in your design business. I know that COVID has really thrown...

read more
Should I be discounting my work during this time?

Should I be discounting my work during this time?

Since the dawn of design biz time, lady bosses have been asking me,⁣"Anna, when the going gets tough, should I get the tough discounts going?"⁣⁣And I say … "Bleughwtfughpoduawytdw."⁣⁣Which, alright, isn’t so much a statement as it is a stressed splutter of...

read more

want more?

Stalk Me Hard...  

Listen to my podcast