Design as a Business: Freelancing, Agencies & Worth
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The creative world loves to highlight passion, talent, and inspiration, but rarely do we have honest conversations about the business side of design. How do you confidently price your work? How do you set boundaries with clients who keep asking for “just one more change?” And how do you build a sustainable creative career that pays what you deserve without burning out? These are the kinds of topics I’ve explored both through my WikiHow expert guides and in conversations with industry leaders.
In Episode 6 of The Four Percent Amplified, I sit down with UX design leader and career coach Marvin Hassan, who brings over 20 years of experience in freelancing, agency leadership, and entrepreneurship. Together, we break down what it means to run your creative career like a business, protect your energy, and advocate for your worth.
Why Knowing Your Worth is Non-Negotiable
Most creatives start their careers thinking their value comes only from talent. Marvin challenges this mindset, explaining that your worth is tied not just to the work you produce but to the strategy, experience, and problem-solving you bring to every project.
Undercharging and over-delivering is a recipe for burnout, and Marvin stresses that pricing is not about competing on the lowest rate, it’s about creating value for your clients. He shares tips for identifying your unique strengths, packaging them in a way clients understand, and confidently communicating your value without apologizing for your rates.
Special Guest:
Marvin Hassan | UX Design Manager & Career Coach
Marvin Hassan is a UX Design Manager, Mentor, and Career Coach with over 20 years of experience in digital product design and team leadership. Based in Berlin, Germany. Marvin specializes in helping mid-career UX professionals grow into confident, high-impact designers through his coaching platform, UXPEERS.
His approach blends practical industry experience with a people-first mindset, focusing on empowering creatives to navigate leadership, overcome career stagnation, and build sustainable, fulfilling paths in tech and design. Marvin is passionate about transforming underrepresented voices into leadership-ready creatives by equipping them with the tools, strategies, and mindset needed to succeed.
Key Highlights of Marvin’s Work:
Leadership Coaching: Helping UX professionals build confidence to lead teams and projects effectively.
Career Growth Mentorship: Guiding mid-career designers to overcome plateaus, build strategic portfolios, and level up their careers.
Business Mindset for Creatives: Teaching the importance of self-advocacy, setting boundaries, and treating design as a business.
UXPEERS Membership: A mentoring community dedicated to empowering underrepresented and mid-level UX designers through coaching, resources, and real-world insights.
20+ Years of Experience: Combining agency, freelancing, and corporate knowledge to mentor professionals at every stage of their career.
Marvin’s mission is to empower creatives to see themselves as more than just designers, but as leaders, strategists, and innovators shaping the future of user experience. You can see his journey on LinkedIn.
Key Takeaways from Marvin Hassan
Know Your Worth: Stop undercharging and start positioning your services based on the unique value and expertise you bring to clients.
Contracts Are Non-Negotiable: Protect your time and energy with clear contracts that outline deliverables, timelines, and payment terms.
Freelancing is a Business: Approach your creative work with the mindset of a business owner, not just an artist.
Boundaries = Respect: Setting clear boundaries and saying “no” when needed helps clients take you seriously and prevents burnout.
Build Confidence in Negotiation: Advocate for yourself and don’t shy away from money conversations; confidence in pricing shows confidence in your skills.
The Reality of Freelancing vs. Agencies
Freelancing gives you freedom! Freedom to set your schedule, choose clients, and create on your terms. But that freedom comes with some challenges like inconsistent paychecks, clients who ghost, and learning how to handle every part of the business yourself. Marvin shares lessons from both freelancing and agency life, helping you weigh which path works best for you. He opens up about how agencies can provide stability and structure, but freelancing offers flexibility and creative control if you’re ready to take on the responsibility. His advice? Know your personality and work style, and choose the path that aligns with your long-term vision.
Contracts, Boundaries, and Carrying Yourself Like a Business
One of the biggest game-changers Marvin talks about is having solid contracts in place. If you’re just starting, it’s not enough to agree to projects over a few emails; you need written agreements that clearly outline deliverables, deadlines, payment terms, and revisions. Marvin stresses that contracts protect your time, your money, and your reputation. He even suggests learning basic legal jargon or consulting a lawyer to make sure your contracts hold up professionally.
Beyond contracts, Marvin explains that you have to carry yourself like the business you are. Clients take you seriously when you present yourself as a professional with systems, clear communication, and confidence in your value. This means being upfront about pricing, setting boundaries on communication, and not being afraid to say “no” when something doesn’t align. The message? You’re not “just a freelancer”, you’re a business owner, and people should treat you as such.
Final Thoughts
The creative industry often romanticizes passion and talent, but as Marvin reminds us, true success comes from treating your creativity like a business. Whether you’re freelancing, working in an agency, or building your studio, knowing your worth and protecting your time is essential to thriving as a designer.
From creating strong contracts with the right legal language to learning how to negotiate without fear, Marvin’s insights prove that professionalism and confidence are just as important as your design skills. When you carry yourself like a business, people take you seriously, and that’s how you open doors to better clients, better pay, and better opportunities.
What did you think of this episode? What’s one step you’re taking to better advocate for your worth as a creative? What are you interested in hearing next? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram @thefourpercentamped, or add your comments below to join in on the conversation.
