Talks & Workshops De-Mystifying Design & Business

I’m Alyssa, a Brand and Web Design expert, and an educator for ambitious business owners and self-employed creatives.

My talks provide actionable solutions to relatable problems every business owner or designer experiences. Whether an audience of entrepreneurs or a community of creatives, I’m focused on helping attendees learn valuable skills, feel inspired by new perspectives, and most of all feel more confident in their businesses and equipped to grow towards their goals.

As a speaker, I blend empathy with empowerment, helping attendees feel validated in their current challenges and experiences while providing realistic steps to help them move forward in the right direction.

I love incorporating interactivity, worksheets, or freebies into a workshop to encourage a positive and engaging experience.

Speaking for Business Owners

Designing logos and websites can seem daunting and confusing — but they shouldn’t! My mission is to humanize the design process and help entrepreneurs thrive.

I help business owners understand not only the power design has to help their brands grow, but the power they have in their own hands to implement impactful techniques and connect with their ideal audiences.

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What I can speak about:

I specialize in topics about branding, brand strategy and story, and website design.

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  • Take-aways:

    • What is “brand story” and why does it matter

    • How to uncover your brand story

    • How elements of your story translate to core qualities of your business

    • How to use it to authentically bridge the gap with your customers

    • How it helps identify marketing opportunities and enforce your design elements for a consistent visual brand

  • Take-aways:

    • What makes your website connect with your ideal customer

    • Common mistakes to avoid on your Home page

    • The framework for a high-converting Home page that gets customers where you need them to go

    • How to infuse a consistent visual brand design into your website

  • Take-aways:

    • An overview of what makes a website easy to use for visitors, as well as impactful enough to convert them to customers

    • How to identify areas for improvement on your website

    • Common website pitfalls and easy steps you can take to adjust them

  • Take-aways:

    • How to know what you need from a designer

    • Questions to ask to make sure you hire the right fit

    • What to look for in a designer to be sure they’re the right fit for you

Speaking for Designers

Starting — and growing — a freelance design business is hard. I know because I’ve been there! My self-employment journey was full of mistakes and lessons learned. Now, after 6+ years of working for myself, I’ve come out the other end with tried and true processes, foolproof policies, and a sustainable and fulfilling business.

I love generously sharing my processes, workflows, and experiences to help other self-employed creatives smoothly nail their projects, wow their clients, and grow their businesses with confidence.

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What I can speak about:

I specialize in topics about client communications, design process (internal and client-facing), navigating difficult situations, and policies and boundaries.

  • Take-aways:

    • How to shift your mindset from frustration to empathy when sticky situations arise

    • Policies to implement and contract clauses to add to prevent sticky situations

    • How to steer projects back on track when they go off the rails

    • We’ll look at a handful of common difficult situations, such as clients disappearing during a project, clients unhappy with the designs presented, scope creep, clients requesting “bad” edits, etc.

  • Take-aways:

    • Actionable steps to improve your process and communications to prevent project delays and scope creep

    • How to get all the content and information you need from your clients by the date you need it

    • Methods for clear communications that set the stage for smooth projectsHow to nip boundary-pushing in the bud right away

    • Contract clauses to add to prevent projects from going awry

  • Take-aways:

    • How to wow your clients from the moment they inquire, and cultivate trust during your very first interaction

    • How to onboard clients with ease

    • How to present work in a way that’s guaranteed to impress

    • Navigating sticky situations and keeping boundaries in place in an approachable manner

    • How to off-board clients smoothly and nurture your relationshipsEasy ways to go above-and-beyond, leading to rave reviews, repeat clients, and referrals

  • Take-aways:

    • An overview of your design contract must-haves

    • Powerful, lesser-known clauses that are often overlooked

    • How to ensure your clients read and understand your contract

    • How to tactfully keep your policies in place in the event of pushback from your clients later

    • Reminder to work with an attorney to ensure legality of your contracts and policies, and some resources

For colleges:

I love talking with design students about the brand design process and how to work as a freelance designer.

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Featured Talks:

Squarespace Circle Day:

Client Wrangling: Keeping Timelines on Track

The Price Ain’t Right: Navigating Undercharging and Overcharging for Design Services

Answering Freelance Design Questions

Why me?

Why I’m qualified to teach people about this stuff:

I don’t just talk the talk — I walk the walk. I work with clients myself, and all the things I teach others are things that I personally implement with my design clients and in my own design business.

The formal resume:

My 9 years of experience as a professional designer have given me a solid background in and understanding of branding, strategy, website design, and building a freelance business.

I hold a BFA in Communications Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and worked in NYC as a designer and art director before starting my own business.

As an educator for designers, I taught a college-level branding course, and also co-founded the Asheville Chapter of AIGA, a national professional organization for designers.

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What attendees have to say:

Take it from them:

  • — Johanna Hagarty, business coach

    I've had the pleasure of working with Alyssa for years including co-hosting a webinar with her. Her meticulous preparation played a crucial role in creating a seamless and engaging experience. Not only did Alyssa have a keen ability to capture audience questions during the presentation, but she also effortlessly integrated them, making the webinar flow smoothly. Afterward, she facilitated getting valuable resources that allowed the audience to further implement the lessons learned. Working with Alyssa is a testament to an ongoing dedication to delivering quality content and providing unwavering support to individuals and businesses alike.

  • — Jamie Karolich, Craft Your Commerce by Mountain BizWorks

    Alyssa Phillips's workshop on “Best Practices: Client Relationships” was truly enlightening and beneficial for our community. Her expertise in the subject matter was evident, and her organized approach made the workshop highly informative. Alyssa's professionalism and ease of collaboration made the entire experience enjoyable and productive. Our community greatly benefited from the valuable insights and information she shared. I would highly recommend Alyssa's workshops to anyone seeking to enhance their understanding and implementation of effective client relationship strategies.

  • — College branding course evaluation feedback

    I loved this class more than any of my previous classes, and I'm a few classes away from graduation so that is saying something. The course was fantastic and what I believe what made this course even better was the instructor. Alyssa has been the best instructor at AB Tech. A teacher that actually taught the class and was dedicated in every way possible to making sure everyone is receiving the instruction that they are paying for. Alyssa is right now the saving grace. I just wished that she could teach my remaining classes.

  • —Kenn Kotara, Mars Hill University design professor

    Alyssa Phillips was a guest speaker for a senior-level graphic design class of mine at Mars Hill University. Her presentation spoke to those areas of interest for my students — client relationships, design processes, networking, and design organizations. My students were profoundly impressed with Alyssa’s communication style and the depth of her knowledge and experience as a designer. Alyssa is the consummate professional designer, and a wonderful guest speaker.

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