In this episode, Joel Derksen, founder of the agency Otherness, joins the Authority Builder Podcast to share his journey from freelancer to agency owner, operating between the Netherlands and the US. Joel discusses the evolution of Otherness, its focus on brand design, and why the agency thrives at the intersection of categories—where brands defy traditional industry boundaries. Key topics include: - The importance of strategy and creative partnership in brand building - How Otherness helps clients embrace their authentic identity, often challenging category norms - Case studies, including a semi-private jet service and a family-owned pie brand, illustrating how deep discovery and client self-awareness lead to standout branding - The value of working with open-minded clients who trust the creative process - Practical advice for freelancers transitioning to agency ownership, with an emphasis on financial discipline and automation Joel’s insights offer a compelling look at how agencies can unlock client potential and create brands that truly stand apart.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Joel Derksen, founder of the agency Otherness, joins the Authority Builder Podcast to share his journey from freelancer to agency owner, operating between the Netherlands and the US. Joel discusses the evolution of Otherness, its focus on brand design, and why the agency thrives at the intersection of categories—where brands defy traditional industry boundaries.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Key topics include:&lt;br/&gt;- The importance of strategy and creative partnership in brand building&lt;br/&gt;- How Otherness helps clients embrace their authentic identity, often challenging category norms&lt;br/&gt;- Case studies, including a semi-private jet service and a family-owned pie brand, illustrating how deep discovery and client self-awareness lead to standout branding&lt;br/&gt;- The value of working with open-minded clients who trust the creative process&lt;br/&gt;- Practical advice for freelancers transitioning to agency ownership, with an emphasis on financial discipline and automation&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Joel’s insights offer a compelling look at how agencies can unlock client potential and create brands that truly stand apart.&lt;/p&gt; </description>

In this episode, Joel Derksen, founder of the agency Otherness, joins the Authority Builder Podcast to share his journey from freelancer to agency owner, operating between the Netherlands and the US. Joel discusses the evolution of Otherness, its focus on brand design, and why the agency thrives at the intersection of categories—where brands defy traditional industry boundaries.  Key topics include: - The importance of strategy and creative partnership in brand building - How Otherness helps ...

Designing for Outliers: How Otherness Wins Category-Resistant Clients

Make It Weirder: Adam Graff on Art, Integrity, and Finding Clients Through Human Connection In this episode, award-winning London illustrator and educator Adam Graff shares his journey from commercial illustration to a more authentic, personal practice. Adam discusses redefining success, moving away from the pressure of constant commissions, and embracing his unique, playful style—despite being told to “tone down the weirdness.” He delves into the power of creative collectives, specifically Hero of Switzerland, and how collaboration and community fuel his work. Key topics include:<ul><li>The evolution of Adam’s definition of success and creative fulfilment</li><li>Navigating rejection and the importance of resilience in the art world</li><li>The value of human connection in finding clients and selling art</li><li>The role of collectives in fostering creativity and ego-free collaboration</li><li>Embracing authenticity, self-trust, and the inevitability of the creative journey</li></ul> Adam’s story is a testament to the power of staying true to your voice, finding your people, and letting your weirdness shine. Find Adam’s work at @adamgraffart (or, as he jokes, @adamgrafffart).

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make It Weirder: Adam Graff on Art, Integrity, and Finding Clients Through Human Connection&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;In this episode, award-winning London illustrator and educator Adam Graff shares his journey from commercial illustration to a more authentic, personal practice. Adam discusses redefining success, moving away from the pressure of constant commissions, and embracing his unique, playful style—despite being told to “tone down the weirdness.” He delves into the power of creative collectives, specifically Hero of Switzerland, and how collaboration and community fuel his work.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key topics include:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;The evolution of Adam’s definition of success and creative fulfilment&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Navigating rejection and the importance of resilience in the art world&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The value of human connection in finding clients and selling art&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The role of collectives in fostering creativity and ego-free collaboration&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Embracing authenticity, self-trust, and the inevitability of the creative journey&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Adam’s story is a testament to the power of staying true to your voice, finding your people, and letting your weirdness shine. Find Adam’s work at @adamgraffart (or, as he jokes, @adamgrafffart).&lt;/p&gt; </description>

Make It Weirder: Adam Graff on Art, Integrity, and Finding Clients Through Human Connection  In this episode, award-winning London illustrator and educator Adam Graff shares his journey from commercial illustration to a more authentic, personal practice. Adam discusses redefining success, moving away from the pressure of constant commissions, and embracing his unique, playful style—despite being told to “tone down the weirdness.” He delves into the power of creative collectives, specifically ...

Make It Weirder: Adam Graff on Art, Integrity, and Finding Clients Through Human Connection

In this episode, Charlotte welcomes personal brand strategist Zayna Rose to explore the real work behind building authority and visibility. Zayna shares insights from over 20 years of helping founders and leaders develop a “profitable presence” through intentional authenticity and image intelligence. The conversation dives into the challenges of identifying your authentic self, the power of visual presence, and why authority is rooted in self-knowledge and consistency—not just surface-level makeovers. Key topics include: - The journey from makeover to deep personal branding - How authenticity fuels effective marketing and authority - The psychological and energetic impact of visual identity - Navigating cross-cultural and nonverbal communication cues - Overcoming self-limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome - The importance of consistency and evolving your brand - Practical strategies for media training, networking, and content pitching - Choosing the right clients and finding joy in your work A must-listen for anyone seeking to show up as a true authority—without feeling fake or forced. <a href='https://www.zaynarose.com/'>https://www.zaynarose.com/</a> <a href='https://www.instagram.com/zaynarose/'>https://www.instagram.com/zaynarose/</a> <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaynarose/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaynarose/</a> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/ZaynaRoseInc/'>https://www.facebook.com/ZaynaRoseInc/</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Charlotte welcomes personal brand strategist Zayna Rose to explore the real work behind building authority and visibility. Zayna shares insights from over 20 years of helping founders and leaders develop a “profitable presence” through intentional authenticity and image intelligence. The conversation dives into the challenges of identifying your authentic self, the power of visual presence, and why authority is rooted in self-knowledge and consistency—not just surface-level makeovers.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Key topics include:&lt;br/&gt;- The journey from makeover to deep personal branding&lt;br/&gt;- How authenticity fuels effective marketing and authority&lt;br/&gt;- The psychological and energetic impact of visual identity&lt;br/&gt;- Navigating cross-cultural and nonverbal communication cues&lt;br/&gt;- Overcoming self-limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome&lt;br/&gt;- The importance of consistency and evolving your brand&lt;br/&gt;- Practical strategies for media training, networking, and content pitching&lt;br/&gt;- Choosing the right clients and finding joy in your work&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;A must-listen for anyone seeking to show up as a true authority—without feeling fake or forced.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.zaynarose.com/'&gt;https://www.zaynarose.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/zaynarose/'&gt;https://www.instagram.com/zaynarose/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaynarose/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaynarose/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/ZaynaRoseInc/'&gt;https://www.facebook.com/ZaynaRoseInc/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; </description>

In this episode, Charlotte welcomes personal brand strategist Zayna Rose to explore the real work behind building authority and visibility. Zayna shares insights from over 20 years of helping founders and leaders develop a “profitable presence” through intentional authenticity and image intelligence. The conversation dives into the challenges of identifying your authentic self, the power of visual presence, and why authority is rooted in self-knowledge and consistency—not just surface-level m...

Zayna Rose on Authentic Visibility for Business Growth

In this episode, Charlotte Ellis Maldari sits down with Roberto Max Salas, co-founder of Young Hero, to explore how creative agencies can stay nimble, relevant, and impactful in a rapidly evolving industry. Roberto shares Young Hero’s origin story, the shift from influencer marketing to a creator-led, storytelling-driven model, and the adoption of the “showrunner” approach for long-term brand narratives. The conversation covers the importance of collaboration without ego, adapting to in-house brand teams, and the value of networks over traditional marketing. Roberto also discusses the agency’s commitment to purpose-driven work, the power of personal storytelling, and practical tips for smaller agencies navigating change. Key topics include: the difference between creators and influencers, the showrunner model, adapting to industry shifts, building business through networks, and the importance of staying playful and curious.<a href='https://younghero.us/'>https://younghero.us/ </a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Charlotte Ellis Maldari sits down with Roberto Max Salas, co-founder of Young Hero, to explore how creative agencies can stay nimble, relevant, and impactful in a rapidly evolving industry. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Roberto shares Young Hero’s origin story, the shift from influencer marketing to a creator-led, storytelling-driven model, and the adoption of the “showrunner” approach for long-term brand narratives. The conversation covers the importance of collaboration without ego, adapting to in-house brand teams, and the value of networks over traditional marketing. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Roberto also discusses the agency’s commitment to purpose-driven work, the power of personal storytelling, and practical tips for smaller agencies navigating change. Key topics include: the difference between creators and influencers, the showrunner model, adapting to industry shifts, building business through networks, and the importance of staying playful and curious.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://younghero.us/'&gt;https://younghero.us/ &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; </description>

In this episode, Charlotte Ellis Maldari sits down with Roberto Max Salas, co-founder of Young Hero, to explore how creative agencies can stay nimble, relevant, and impactful in a rapidly evolving industry.  Roberto shares Young Hero’s origin story, the shift from influencer marketing to a creator-led, storytelling-driven model, and the adoption of the “showrunner” approach for long-term brand narratives. The conversation covers the importance of collaboration without ego, adapting to in...

How Creative Agencies Can Thrive Without Playing by the Old Rules with Young Hero’s Roberto Max Salas 

In this episode, Charlotte Ellis Maldari welcomes <a href='https://jessicaabel.com/'>Jessica Abel, founder of Autonomous Creative</a>, to discuss how mid-career creatives can reshape their client work into sustainable, profitable businesses that align with real life. Jessica shares her journey from graphic novelist and professor to business coach, highlighting the challenges creatives face in balancing client work, marketing, and personal fulfilment. Key topics include: - The pitfalls of underpricing and overdelivering, and how to set realistic, sustainable rates using Jessica’s “ground truth calculator” - The importance of aligning business models with personal capacity and financial goals - Why many creatives burn out by following mass-market marketing advice that doesn’t fit their business - Mindset shifts needed to move from scarcity and self-doubt to confidence and clarity - The value of tracking time and outcomes to make informed business decisions - How to build a business that supports both creative work and a fulfilling life Jessica (<a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/jccabel/ '>jccabel on LinkedIn</a>) also introduces her new training, “Stop Working Nights and Weekends,” designed to help creatives reclaim their time and profitability.

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Charlotte Ellis Maldari welcomes &lt;a href='https://jessicaabel.com/'&gt;Jessica Abel, founder of Autonomous Creative&lt;/a&gt;, to discuss how mid-career creatives can reshape their client work into sustainable, profitable businesses that align with real life. Jessica shares her journey from graphic novelist and professor to business coach, highlighting the challenges creatives face in balancing client work, marketing, and personal fulfilment.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Key topics include:&lt;br/&gt;- The pitfalls of underpricing and overdelivering, and how to set realistic, sustainable rates using Jessica’s “ground truth calculator”&lt;br/&gt;- The importance of aligning business models with personal capacity and financial goals&lt;br/&gt;- Why many creatives burn out by following mass-market marketing advice that doesn’t fit their business&lt;br/&gt;- Mindset shifts needed to move from scarcity and self-doubt to confidence and clarity&lt;br/&gt;- The value of tracking time and outcomes to make informed business decisions&lt;br/&gt;- How to build a business that supports both creative work and a fulfilling life&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Jessica (&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/jccabel/ '&gt;jccabel on LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;) also introduces her new training, “Stop Working Nights and Weekends,” designed to help creatives reclaim their time and profitability.&lt;/p&gt; </description>

In this episode, Charlotte Ellis Maldari welcomes Jessica Abel, founder of Autonomous Creative, to discuss how mid-career creatives can reshape their client work into sustainable, profitable businesses that align with real life. Jessica shares her journey from graphic novelist and professor to business coach, highlighting the challenges creatives face in balancing client work, marketing, and personal fulfilment.  Key topics include: - The pitfalls of underpricing and overdelivering, and how t...

Designing Profitable Creative Business Without Burnout, with Jessica Abel

If you’re ready to stop being the industry’s best-kept secret, The Authority Builder Podcast is for you.&nbsp;Hosted by Charlotte Ellis Maldari, founder of Kaffeen, this show is packed with client-attracting strategies for service-based business owners who want to lead with expertise and grow with ease. Whether you’re refining your message, launching a lead magnet, or finally writing that book—this podcast will help you turn your brilliance into booked-out business, one smart move at a time.

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