We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jules DeLee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jules below.
Jules , appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
“Success” is a tricky word for me—everyone sees it differently. For some people, it’s about how many big-name clients they’ve worked with. For others, it’s about how much money they’re making. Over the last 10 years, I’ve learned that—for me—success comes down to quality. The quality of the work, sure, but even more so the quality of the relationships I build along the way.
A project feels successful when my team and I are able to connect on a human level with a client, listen to what they need, and come up with something thoughtful together. That only happens when we take the time, don’t rush, and focus on the process—not just the outcome.
I believe just simply being a good person is just as important as being good at your job. Building real relationships, showing up with empathy, and creating space where everyone can learn from each other—that’s the kind of success that really matters to me.
Jules , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I work at Code Works, a small digital product studio where we use technology to do meaningful work. I’m the Director of Design and Development, but before stepping into that role, I spent nearly a decade as a designer.
One project I’m especially proud of that we developed at Code Works is the Digital Storefront Program. It started back in 2020, right when COVID hit and everything shut down. It quickly became obvious that a lot of local businesses in our community weren’t set up for a digital world. Some didn’t even have websites, let alone a way to sell online. And with no foot traffic, that became a huge problem fast.
We teamed up with the City of South Bend to help. The idea was simple: give selected small businesses the equivalent of a $10,000 digital overhaul—branding, websites, e-commerce, strategy, whatever they needed to get online. When we launched it, over 130 businesses applied. The need was real.
That was five years ago, and the program’s still going strong and has expanded into our neighboring communities. It continues to be a competitive grant, and it’s still one of my favorite things we do. We get to work alongside some incredibly driven, creative people—folks with a vision who just need a little support bringing it to life digitally.
We’ve collaborated with all kinds of clients: disability support centers, neighborhood pubs, local artists, indie bookstores, bakers, coaches—you name it. For a lot of them, getting online was the thing that kept them going. It’s the kind of work that sticks with you.
Any advice for managing a team?
Take the time to really get to know your team. These are real people—not just roles or job titles—and like you they each bring their own interests, strengths, and ways of working. What kinds of projects light them up? Do they thrive with regular check-ins or prefer more independence? Is there an industry or type of client they’re especially passionate about? If you can line that up with the work, everyone wins.
As a leader, your job isn’t just to manage—it’s to support the process. Create space for your designers to do their best work. Remove the roadblocks. Support collaboration. Be somebody they can trust.
If your team has signed up to work with you, chances are they believe in the same bigger mission—in our case, building things that serve the greater good. And at the end of the day, it’s about the quality of what we’re building and how we build it together.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Two important things to remember: creativity requires headspace, and sharing creative work is always vulnerable. So what do I take from this? First, create a healthy rhythm with the designers and artists you work with—give them the space they need to think, explore, and create. Second, be kind. Kindness fosters trust, which makes communication smoother and feedback easier to give and receive. When people feel safe and respected, they’re more open, more collaborative, and more likely to bring their best ideas to the table. Creative work thrives in environments where people feel seen and supported, and that starts with leading with empathy and respect.
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Julienne DeLee