Ep. 4 - How A Freelancer Built a Community That Works

In this episode of Mark It 2 Me, Joe Baron sits down with designer, dad, and community builder Michael Smith, founder of Dadsigner, host of The Dadsigner Podcast, co-owner of R5 CoLab, and creator of two successfully crowdfunded children’s books.They dive into what it really means to build community, not just online, but in real life. Michael shares how a lonely coffee shop routine turned into launching a coworking space that prioritizes intentional connection. From setting clear expectations with a community handbook to fostering genuine engagement through pre-scheduled events, he explains why structure is essential to making culture work.The conversation also explores entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and the mental tug-of-war creatives face between making meaningful work and monetizing everything. Michael opens up about:The importance of hiring an accountant earlyWhy crowdfunding is really a marketing tool in disguiseWhat surprised him most about launching on KickstarterHow personal creative projects can have value years laterWhy professional growth isn’t just about titles and promotionsThe tension between ambition and family presenceThey close with rapid-fire questions (including the official dad sneaker debate) and reflections on what it means to build something sustainable both in business and at home.This episode is about ownership, intention, and creating community that actually feels real.You can follow Michael Smith on Instagram, Threads, and Youtube at @dadsignerHis website: https://www.dadsigner.com/You can follow the Mark It 2 Me official instagram: @MarkIt2MeYou can follow Joe Baron specifically at @brandedbaronThe website: https://www.brandedbaron.com/