We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Darnell Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Darnell, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Back in ‘04, I landed my first job as a graphic designer at a promo products firm at age 19 – four months after graduating from college with an Associate Degree in graphic design.

Four years later, I’d outgrown my role and couldn’t ascend any further at that company, so I tried to get work elsewhere. I spent a few months sending out resumes, but no one would interview me, much less hire me.

I felt unworthy because I couldn’t even get a *response* from employers. I was like, “No one *at all* is willing to give me a shot?”

Damn… ok.

One morning, I had the idea to just hire myself rather than indefinitely wait for a callback. So, later that day, I put in my two-week notice at that company and chucked up the deuces.

By quitting my job, buying a new home, and a new car – with no savings, favors, or lines of credit – I backed myself into a corner with little time to succeed before it all could come crashing down. My rock supported this decision and took on the bulk of our expenses for a while, which gave me the juice I needed to become a freelancer.

Within about 2-3 weeks, I landed my first official job designing a logo, and I haven’t looked back in the 15 years since. I only built a rep by getting out there and putting in the hard yards when it wasn’t fun or easy.

What I didn’t know, I took the time to learn. What I didn’t have, I eventually earned. The way I saw it: this was an invitation to grow, not to *not* try.

All I needed was a chance to prove my value. But I didn’t wait for Opportunity to come knocking on my door; I kicked down Opportunity’s door and gave my prospects a reason to believe.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the graphic design field because it was the most appealing way to evolve my experience as a visual artist from kindergarten through high school.

These days, I provide a range of services. For creative entrepreneurs, I’ve launched a virtual ecosystem called Forge that welcomes them to connect and cross-pollinate to make a deeper impact while growing their businesses. For non-creative entrepreneurs, I produce brand strategy identities + guidelines, websites, and other digital marketing assets.

The problem I solve for my clients is being the straightest line between two points in time: their present and their desired future. Not only do I design this line for them, but I work with them to implement and execute their outcomes.

What distinguishes me is my unique blend of strategy, execution, and versatility as a polymath. I’m proud to have worked with businesses such as J&J/BAND-AID, /dev/color, 23rd Group, Teachable, Leadpages, and Typeform.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that when those gigs/projects/prospects you seek don’t notice or want you, it means you’re unworthy.

The backstory is based on what I shared earlier about when I tried to get a traditional graphic design job and couldn’t get employed elsewhere, even though I thought I had an appealing resume.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that there were several factors outside of my control, such as the domestic housing crisis in 2008 and the selection of jobs I applied to that crippled my ability to get hired. Furthermore, I could’ve widened my search, asked for recommendations from my friends and peers, or did spec work for some of the companies I liked.

Instead, I opted to bet on myself and become an as-needed freelancer instead of waiting for a decision-maker to hire me full-time.

The important thing I learned is that we will have *never* tried everything we could to attain the success we seek because the possibilities are limitless and there are an infinite number of ways to remix the resources we have access to in the present day to get what we desire.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I foster brand loyalty by keeping in touch with my clients, even when we’re not actively working together. I’m genuinely curious about their personal wellbeing, not just the health of their business based on what I’ve done for them.

I also reach out to them on my own merit when they don’t expect it, such as on random days with unique questions, not just holidays. There are also times when it makes sense to share new offers or things they can do on their own, like a dentist keeping in touch with their patients during the six months between teeth cleanings.

When we give our clients self-executing insights that benefit them for free, they remember us when they want help beyond what they can do on their own.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://darnellbrown.com/amplify
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/bulletproofhustle
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/bulletproofhustle
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/darnellbrown
• Youtube: http://youtube.com/@darnellbrown
• Other: Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bulletproofhustle Assistance: http://darnellbrown.com/help Community: http://darnellbrown.com/forge

Image Credits
Melissa Joy-Clark