Building a Successful Design Consultancy

Arlene Birt, a visual storyteller and educator, discusses the intersection of motherhood and running her own company with employees.Arlene and host, Kaila Sachse, discuss practical parenting hacks, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the importance of creating a supportive community. Arlene also shares her journey from freelancing to running a successful design consultancy, emphasizing the need for financial health and effective communication in both parenting and business. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of priorities and the significance of understanding complex topics in a relatable way.More About Arlene BirtArlene Birt is a mom, and she creates visuals to help individuals connect emotionally to seemingly distant environmental topics. A visual storyteller, information designer, and educator, her visuals explain the complexities of science and social topics to non-expert audiences. As graphics officer with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), she co-created figures with 60+ climate scientists – including one that landed on the front page of global news media. Birt is a professor in Creative Entrepreneurship at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), and founder and creative director of design consultancy, Background Stories.Her work has been featured in the Washington Post, Financial Times, Le Monde, Creative Review, U.S. News and World Report, and numerous other global media. She has published chapters in several books, including New Challenges for Data Design.Birt was visiting fellow at Seoul National University (2023-’24), adjunct faculty of Wuhan University of Technology, Fulbright fellow in the Netherlands, and has held several artist residencies. Birt holds a master’s degree from Design Academy Eindhoven (the Netherlands) and runs workshops internationally.backgroundstories.comAfter Bedtime, “Why Doesn’t My Kid Listen? (And What To Do Instead of Yelling)”Send us Fan MailSave 10% on Outdoor Gear by DrymileUse code BUB on drymile.com to save on waterproof socks, gloves, and more.Record & Edit Your Podcast w/RiversideWe use Riverside! Get an online studio for high-quality recording & simplified editing.Get $20 for podcasting w/BuzzsproutStart your own show with Buzzsprout, the easiest software for hosting, promoting, & tracking.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show--------------------📢 Support & Get a Business Shoutout!https://www.buzzsprout.com/2426474/support🎙️ Learn more about this show: http://bringingupbusiness.com📲 Send us a DM: https://www.instagram.com/bub.podcast💬 Text us:https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2426474/open_sms☕️ Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bubpodcast