Episode 80: Hiring, Planning, and Growing Your Design Firm in 2026

We tried to start the year with a guest… and the tech gods said “absolutely not.” So instead, you get just us, and honestly? We’re coming in hot. Welcome to our actual first episode of 2026 (call it episode 1.25 if you want). It’s a solo kickoff, and we’re talking candidly about what it really feels like to start a new year when you’re already knee-deep in the work. Real talk about planning, hiring, imposter syndrome, optimism (borderline delusion), and why waiting for things to be perfect is the fastest way to stay stuck. In this episode, we talk about: Why we moved our annual planning to January and how that shift changed the way we start the year What we’re genuinely excited about in 2026, from High Point to big, long-term projects and new Design Dash offerings Hiring conversations we’re having right now, who to hire, when to hire, and why fear is part of the process The imposter syndrome that shows up when you’re growing a team (and why it’s more common than you think) Why your processes don’t need to be perfect before you hire, and how the right people help you build them The tension between being optimistic and being realistic as a business owner Marketing, social media, and why doing something imperfect is always better than doing nothing Our recurring theme for the year If you’re a firm owner thinking seriously about your next hire, your next phase of growth, or how to create more freedom in your business without sacrificing quality, this episode will meet you right where you are. 2026 is already underway. The question is whether you’re leading it, or letting it lead you. Check out our website too: https://designdash.com/ Follow us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/designdasher/ https://www.tiktok.com/@designdasher https://www.facebook.com/DesignDasher