Produced By - From Freelance to Founder: Stepping Into Creative Leadership | 146: Hannah del Herrera

Starting point is 00:00:00 I always had a desire for entrepreneurship and travel. But I come from a really, like, working class background. So I never really had the means to do any of those things. And then I was working full time in London at the time. And I won't get into it, but I went through like a bit of personal thing in 2023, which was like my push to be like, you know what? I might as well just like go after things I really want. Like, what's the point in wasting time?

Starting point is 00:00:24 I knew I wanted to do it. I was just scared. So I was like, you know what? I need to just like get over that hurdle and go for it. And that's really like the pivotal point in my life where I started to take myself and my own dreams seriously, which is something I talk about a lot actually. Online is that idea of taking like your own dreams seriously. Best thing ever did. It was such a whirlwind. I feel like so much happened within a short period of time.

Starting point is 00:00:45 Like I'd only been traveling, I think, for like five months before I like took a little break, went back home before coming back out. But it felt like so much happened in that time, like lived so much during those few months. And it was a really good push me because I... Before we dive into today's episode, please hit that subscribe button. Your support helps us grow and inspire more people on their journeys. Thank you. Hello, Hannah. Thank you for joining us today and welcome to the show.

Starting point is 00:01:15 Thank you. Glad to be here. Hannah, for those who don't know you, can you please introduce yourself? Yeah, so, well, as you said, I'm Hannah. I've been running Althea Sky Studios for the past two years all time. So my LinkedIn journey started around two years ago. And yeah, and I recently last year launched Rebel Design Club as well. So two times business owner at the moment, it's going well.

Starting point is 00:01:42 Early days still. But yeah, I'm very happy with how it's going so far. And before we discuss it in more detail, can you tell us Hannah more about your journey? Because as we just discussed before the recording, you move to different countries kind of across the whole world so maybe before saying

Starting point is 00:01:59 where we are actually based what was like the impulse actually to move and make such a bold move Oh my God, yeah I mean yeah so I moved from the UK to Thailand last year originally I left the UK in 2024 in January

Starting point is 00:02:15 2024 so it was sort of just to have a backpacker sort of experience at the time and I like had just started freelancing. So I actually didn't expect much to come of it of the freelancing. So I was just sort of traveling and hoping to make a bit of money to keep me going. But because I was posting on LinkedIn, it ended up like doing way better than I imagined. So I was obviously traveling a lot. And then last year I realized that actually no, it was 2024. End of 2024. I keep

Starting point is 00:02:46 thinking it's 2025 still. So end of that long. Yeah. End of 2024, I realized that it. It's very hard to run a business and also travel so much. I was moving around a lot, so I really wanted to find a base. But I was sort of like dotting around. And I ended up coming to Bangkok. I didn't really want to come. It was just like friends were here. And I literally got here.

Starting point is 00:03:09 And then a week later, I was like, yeah, I'm moving to Bangkok. So I've been here ever since. Did you fell in love with the city? Did you enjoy that much? That's the reason why I was like. Yeah, because I'd been here a few times before. but I always went to a different part of the city and it was more of a touristy area

Starting point is 00:03:26 but then I came to an area that was a lot more built up for workers and there's like an amazing culture here for both like local Thai people and those who are remote and come over and work here remotely or like within the city itself and yeah I just fell in love with it basically

Starting point is 00:03:44 it's set up so well so much better than the UK no better than the UK no but I'm happy to hear that And when you started traveling, did you have like a destination in mind? Or did you go, I don't know, the places that you just liked or like a specific one that you wanted to go to? Yeah, I originally wanted to move to Australia because obviously I started freelancing. But as I said, I didn't imagine it was actually going to like work out as well as it did.

Starting point is 00:04:11 So my plan was to use the freelancing to keep me going for a while around Southeast Asia and eventually go to Australia on a work in holiday visa and find a job. there and stay there. But then obviously the freelancing went really well. I realized I wanted to scale it up a bit more and moving to Australia is a little bit more difficult when you have your own business. And also I just like love Thailand. It's like the best country in the world. So it sounds like have you got like plans to try different country or different city or to stay there? Do you know what? I would love to experience other countries but I can't imagine myself at the moment living anywhere else. I would be happy if I lived here for the rest of my life and I've never felt like that before. Like I always knew from a really young age that I was destined to leave

Starting point is 00:05:02 the UK. So no, I'm very happy there I am, but I'm open to other places for sure. Yeah, of course. I'm happy to hear that you like it. And what was like, even if we go more into the past, was it like the moment or motivation that you decided because it's like a big decision. to travel the world, especially so far away because it's not obviously just Europe, but even further, was there like a specific moment or something you always wanted to try? Yeah, I mean, like, I always had that, like, desire to do that in me. Like, I always had a desire for entrepreneurship and, like, travel. But I was, I come from a really, like, working class background.

Starting point is 00:05:42 So I never really had the means to do any of those things. And then, like, I was working full time in London at the time. And I won't get into it, but I went through, like, a bit of, of a personal thing in 2023, which was like my push to be like, you know what, I might as well just like go after things I really want. Like, what's the point in wasting time? Like, I knew I wanted to do it. I was just scared. So I was like, you know what? I need to just like get over that hurdle and go for it. And that's really like the pivotal point in my life where I started to take myself and my own dreams seriously, which is something I talk about a lot actually online, is that idea of

Starting point is 00:06:19 taking your own dreams seriously. I agree, and especially that first step is scary. It's obviously step out of the comfort zone, but then looking back, you are grateful that you did it. 100%. Yeah, best thing I've ever did. What did you then feel like once you moved out? What was like kind of the first experience, whether experiencing foreign cultures or

Starting point is 00:06:42 actually being out there, if it was scary, exciting, or kind of mix of everything? Yeah, no, it was like it was such a whirlwind. I feel like so much happened within a short period of time. Like I'd only been travelling, I think, for like five months before I like took a little break, went back home before coming back out. But it felt like so much happened in that time. Like I lived so much during those few months. And it was a really good push me because I start travelling on my own. Like I didn't go with anybody else. And that I feel like I developed personally so much. within that time just like socially, meeting people like business-wise as well,

Starting point is 00:07:22 like I was meeting so many other business owners. And yeah, just, I've made like some really key friendships during that time that I think I'll now have for the rest of my life, which is something I'm really happy with. One of the best things to come out of the experience for sure. Yeah, yeah. And it's also interesting, for example, something we'll discuss later with LinkedIn,

Starting point is 00:07:41 that you connect literally from people from everywhere, which kind of is even funny, as we are recorded now that we are both in different parts of the world. But for example, thanks to the LinkedIn, it feels like that you know people from every corner from the world, which is close now. Yeah. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:07:57 So it was really good for that as well. Like traveling, it was really nice to expose myself to so many different cultures, even though I was traveling within a specific country. You're exposed to so many cultures just because so many other people are also doing their similar thing to you. Yeah. And it was just an experience I didn't have, like obviously coming from like a working

Starting point is 00:08:16 class Midlands town. We were all pretty much the same. So it was good for that. But I think it's always great to kind of discuss it, or I like to discuss this topic, because although I haven't moved in such across the world like you did, but also moved from a country. And it was scary for me too. So I always like to hear perspectives of other people.

Starting point is 00:08:38 And also I think that when we discuss this, there are people who might be afraid or scared, but I believe that talking about this, it just may inspire some other people and show that it's possible no matter where you come from and no matter, for example, how far you want to move to. So I'm happy to hear about your story. Yeah, I agree. And then, of course, our favorite platform, LinkedIn, where, when did you start? Or maybe what was like the point when you started focusing more on the platform, where you saw the potential? Well, I actually, like originally started posting in 2021 when I first, so I first started freelancing on the side at university and that I'm my final year, which was in 2021.

Starting point is 00:09:21 But then I went into full-time work. So I was sort of posting here and there, but I wasn't taking it seriously. And then at the end of 2023, I quit my job, my London, 9 to 5 and was like, right, this is it. I'm going all in. I'd seen other people like have success on LinkedIn. And I did try Instagram in the past and I found it really difficult to build a presence as a designer on there. So I felt like LinkedIn was, I just chose it, I went with my gut basically, and I just started posting on there and yeah, and it like worked out basically. And it's been there since then. Yeah, I literally, I think I've probably gone one week, max without posting since like November for 2023. Yeah, yeah. I'm always glad to hear or want to ask people, for example, for how long

Starting point is 00:10:09 they've been on the platform, because I feel like that often people want to see like a quick results and they think that it becomes overnight or in a few weeks. So I'm always glad to hear some kind of contact that actually takes years and showing up daily to see some kind of results. Yeah, 100%. It's definitely not an overnight thing. No, and even at the beginning, like, I had no idea what was doing at the beginning. I think there's the reality for the majority of us. But it's great, you know, because there are so many creators and people sharing all kinds of advice that I feel like these days you can follow people and learn from them, which I believe makes it easier. But from your experience, when you started, what was it like kind of trial and error?

Starting point is 00:10:50 Or did you follow any people? How did you start there? Yeah, definitely a lot of trial and error. And again, like just going with my gut, I feel like that was the, there's kind of a beauty in it at the beginning of the journey because you have that nice. naivety and you don't, you're not sort of like constrained by anything. So you have the freedom to do whatever you without the fear of like a little eyes on you. I was going to say, sorry to interrupt, but you don't have such a huge following. So it's not like, okay, I can test people are not going to be. Exactly. Yeah. So I kind of, sometimes I miss that. But no, definitely a lot of trial and error.

Starting point is 00:11:24 I had a lot of help. Like, I made friends with some really great people that really helped me, gave me a lot of good advice and I feel like that's something I really try and push to other people that ask me how to grow. It's just like make actual friendships. Like if you become my friend, I will just tell you what to do. I've done that with so many people. Because like, you know, I feel like that's a really good thing about LinkedIn is like you want to see other people grow on the platform. Everyone's so lovely. I think so of course there are always some people that stand out for all kinds of reasons.

Starting point is 00:11:58 But I agree. If you find your community, like the people that are, like your tribe or the one that you support, you can meet people from everywhere. They can help you and everything. And don't forget that it's a networking platform, right? So just connect with people and have fun there. It is the best thing you can do on there is the networking.

Starting point is 00:12:17 And Hannah, a very kind of obvious question. And I guess something that you get asked a lot to and I'd regret not asking, like when it comes to the growth on the platform, I don't want to say the word viral, because I don't really like to use it, but if someone asks you how to grow there,

Starting point is 00:12:32 like with the following, what advice that you would share? I know that there are many aspects, but maybe if you were to pick some best ones or biggest ones. Yeah, I think I would usually try and understand what they want to grow on the platform for. I think it's always good to go on there with an intention. Like, are you just trying to get eyes on you?

Starting point is 00:12:52 Are you trying to just, you know, boost eyes on your business? are you trying to get leads and convert, trying to sell something? Like, it's good to, it's good to have that in mind when you're on the platform because it does change how you use it, like, massively. It's definitely changed a lot over the years, over these two years for me. Like, I've gone through different periods of what I'm trying to do with the platform. So, yeah, it's always good to have the intention in mind. So that's what I would start with. And then from that, again, like, as I said, networking, like trying to find other people that can really help you. and not even just help you with tips,

Starting point is 00:13:27 but it's also just to keep you accountable for posting there and also be there to support you when it feels really hard and you can't be bothered, or it's like you're not getting any traction and it just feels like a drag. It's good to have a community to help pull you through those periods. I've definitely needed that myself. Yeah, I think those are my biggest tips.

Starting point is 00:13:50 I like it and I agree, especially with, of course, the first one, because, for example, don't compare yourself to someone else because they may have completely different goals on the platform. Exactly. And the second one I always try to keep in mind to is to have fun, because it's not easy to keep showing up, but if there are people who support you, you have fun with, engage with, it just makes it easier to show up, doesn't it?

Starting point is 00:14:14 Yeah, for sure. I agree. And talking about this, maybe you answer it now just with this, but what is it then that helps you, if there is something else than this, to keep showing up like a regular or daily, because you've been showing up for years. So maybe it's the community and people that we discussed, or is there like any other why or something else? I think now it's become such a habit for me, which has obviously taken this long to build that habit, whereas where now, if I don't post, like, I could feel it. Like, I'm missing something.

Starting point is 00:14:46 I actually feel the same. Yeah. And of course, like, there is the added pressure, not pressure, but it's helpful to have when you have an audience already to post. But that's so different at the beginning of your journey. And I think it's hardest at the start of your journey when you haven't got an audience that keeps you posting. And you haven't yet built that habit. So for me, it was, I mean, I feel like it was a combination of things. But for me, it was like the pressure of like starting out as a freelancer

Starting point is 00:15:17 and knowing that I needed, because I didn't have a client base. So I was like, I need to find clients. So it was kind of like that fear that pushed me to do it because I was doing it for a reason. Again, having that reason was really helpful. But yeah, and then I think as you said, like having fun with it and just planning ahead at the start of my journey, I don't do this now, but at the beginning I was like bulk making all of my content and scheduling it to go out so that when there was a day when I just like forgot or didn't know what's doing it was already there waiting and that made it a lot easier. I think it's a good point or sometimes people overthink or understand that not everyone has time for it, which I think find what works for you if you don't have time for it. Sometimes I also see like on LinkedIn, people flexing.

Starting point is 00:16:03 I made the whole week content in a few minutes, which it's possible like if you schedule it or bulk great in advance. But I think again, find what works for you. What sustainable and what you enjoy. Yeah. Yeah. And sometimes it will take like a few minutes to write a post and other times it won't. And I think it's good to mix up content in that way. Make it like figure out how to make it sustainable for yourself.

Starting point is 00:16:27 And if you know that you're not going to wake up every day and post five days a week, like don't put that pressure on yourself. Like you can definitely go with three days a week and it will still get your results. So I mean, I do three days of that pretty much most of the time and it's working perfectly fine. Yeah. And I think perfect or something. to remember is keep quality over quantity. So it's better to have few quality posts than every day and it's a low quality. Yeah. Yeah. You before briefly mentioned looking for

Starting point is 00:16:59 clients or like a need to actually find clients. So now after experience, what would be your advice for people, whether it's to find first clients or struggling to find clients on the platform? I think I mostly interact with people that are struggling to find clients. And they're usually already trying to use the platform to find them, but they're just sort of like missing something in some sort of way. So the advice I always give them, like, especially in my field, because in design, there's so many designers like that every... So can you want emerging every day?

Starting point is 00:17:33 Yeah, so there is a lot of designers out there. It is hard. But figuring out that way you can differentiate yourself and just being a personable person makes such a big difference because if you can't... I think if you think about it like this, if somebody has like three different designers to choose from and you show your values and who you are and your personality and the client then connects with your personality, they will choose you over the other people who don't show their personality

Starting point is 00:18:05 because they'll vibe with you more and they'll know they'll get on with you because it's not just about the end result, it's also about the experience they're going to have whilst working with you. So if you can find a way to show up, like, as yourself, I hate the word, authentic. I feel like it's so amused and misunderstood in a lot of ways. But if you can just, like, show a bit of who you are, your background, your process, your values, like the right people will gravitate towards you. I like it. And I agree. Even from my experience, for example, doing collaboration with someone or something, there might be someone more talented, but there's other person maybe slightly less talented, but we just enjoy working with them. They are easier, more professional, it makes all the

Starting point is 00:18:50 difference. That's always an easier decision. And again, like, most founders are so busy. Like, they want to choose the easiest option, right? And the easiest option is the one they can get along with, and they'll trust you more in that way. That was definitely my experience anyway, especially at the beginning, is I just, like, showed my personality. I had nothing to lose. So I just showed up as exactly who I am. And every single person that worked with me said that they connected with me because they really liked how I showed up online. Yeah, I'm happy to hear that.

Starting point is 00:19:21 And I think from my experience, because we are speaking now for the first time, as I see your presence, I like you too. I think great example for anyone listening. I've still got it. Quick one, before we get back to it. If you like this kind of conversation, I've started sharing short videos on YouTube, where I break down what I've learned from more than 150 episodes, content, podcasting, personal brand, no fluff, just what actually works.

Starting point is 00:19:55 Just search Produced Buy on YouTube or don't, and keep figuring out the hard way. And Hannah, as we discussed before, like the importance of community and the people on the platform, you are building a rebel design club, right, like the community and the brand. So can you tell us more what you're building and maybe introduce it to the audience? Yes, so it's still super new. I did technically launch an MVP last year around July. So at the moment, it's a education platform for designers looking to build their profile as a creator. So it's all about like adopting the creator mindset, figuring out what to post online to attract clients, but not also, not just clients, but also other opportunities because there's so much potential when you have obviously a personal brand, right?

Starting point is 00:20:47 So it's just like helping and educating designers and maybe even introducing them to a world of possibilities that maybe they hadn't even thought of before. At the moment, that's the stages in. but I've got a lot of big plans for it, which are still in the works. So this is still early days. Yeah, I'm hoping it'll be much bigger. Of course, and now you said it publicly, never told us more, so we'll need to be accountable. I know, I've got to be a counselor now.

Starting point is 00:21:16 I can't let them down. And what was your motivation to start something like it? I think I've always had that desire to help in me, specifically like I remember when I in my first ever job I worked at a game so it's sort of like a gaming app company it was my first ever quite cool yeah yeah I've got a bit of a gamey background but um yeah it was my first job I worked it was a startup it was super small and I loved that job so much and I went to my founder at the time sorry the CEO and I pitched an idea for like an awarding award program that would help designers get into the gaming industry. Obviously, there was like all

Starting point is 00:22:03 these other details that would, that it meant why it was good for the business, all the, etc., etc. But at the end of the day, it was basically an awards program. For me, it was to help designers get into the gaming industry because I was watching a lot of my creative friends from university struggling to get work in the field that they wanted to. I always had like a bit of tenacity in me. So I was like trying really hard. And that's how I managed to get a job. Actually, it was also because of LinkedIn. But yeah, so I just really wanted to build something that would help designers. And that experience was so fulfilling to me. I was like going around the country, going to universities, talking to students, eventually like inviting them to the awards. They would submit their

Starting point is 00:22:49 artwork. And then we put on a whole exhibition. We invited loads of brands. So we had like epic games, Frame Store, who is like a really big... Yeah, VFX Studio. Yeah, yeah. Oh my God. And the winners got internships at these companies. And seeing that that happen was so fulfilling. And I really wanted to like channel that, like I say, into Rebel Design Club.

Starting point is 00:23:13 So that's definitely the first time I ever had that experience. And I wanted to, I want to keep that up now with Rebel Design Club. I'm very happy to hear that. Not only I was going to say that it must have been worried. rewarding for yourself because if you are the person who actually helps students to find work, like to break into industries where it's quite challenging. But I was going to say that at university I studied creative field as well. So I could see what you are saying even in what I studied because honestly it was really hard. So I was like if there was someone like that,

Starting point is 00:23:46 that will be awesome. So it was brilliant. I'm sure you will agree like creative people are really undervalued a lot of the time, especially where in my background, and I speak a little bit about this online as well, like if you're a working class person, like often, you're encouraged to do something that's safe, like going into business or going into healthcare or like something that's like a typical career that's secure. And like, this is for me, like, shout out to my mom, she's lovely, but like, it was worried. When I decided to go and do a fine art degree, she was like, oh my God, what are you doing? So, yeah, I mean, it's just like creative avenues. I feel like I'll look down a lot at the beginning of the journey.

Starting point is 00:24:30 But as soon as you're successful, it's like, oh, you're the best thing in the world. Yeah, definitely. So I really want to support the people at the beginning of their journey and help them, especially in this new era of creative careers. I agree. And of course, really nice. And I can imagine months have been also big, like a growing opportunity for yourself. because as you said, going to universities, speaking people, oh my God, it must be quite bold and courageous

Starting point is 00:24:57 because it's not easy to do these things and learning along the way. So the feeling really well done. Thank you. And then, Hannah, you said that you are building, if I'm not mistaken, two businesses. So what is actually the second one that you are building? Yeah, so, well, it started out just my freelancing business. So Althea Sky, I'm actually now transitioning and it's still in the works. Like I'm about to launch. I'm so close, but I'm transitioning now into more of like an agency style, scaling it up. Over the last two years, I've really understood who I enjoy working with, who I can give the most value to as well. And for me, that's within the creator industry. So I'm obviously a brand designer, but I want to build, it's now named Alsk, rather than Althea Sky. So it's shortened,

Starting point is 00:25:43 it's a little bit more edgy, a little bit more cool. It's definitely the bottom one. I saw it on LinkedIn and I was like, what does that mean? And then I saw it. I don't know if it was in the logo or in the description. I was like, I see. It was abbreviation. It just means all the sky, but I just wanted to keep the legacy of the original brand. But yeah, make it a little bit more edgy and like sort of define this new era of business.

Starting point is 00:26:08 So yeah, that's why I shorten the name. So I'll now be designing for specifically the creator industry. And yeah, I'm now creative director. I'll be hiring other very talented designers to help me with the projects. Yeah, again, very early days. I haven't even launched it properly yet. But yeah, I'm very excited for it. I paused all of my work in order to do it.

Starting point is 00:26:33 Yeah, of course, it sounds already what we discussed. And now it sounds ambitious and great goals. So then my question would be, what's your time management or how do you manage everything? Because we just discussed what you do, you build brand, and you also enjoy life where you live in. So how do you, you know, manage everything and enjoy at the same time? I mean, it's a great question. I will be honest, I'm not like an expert of time management.

Starting point is 00:26:58 I haven't like nailed it just yet. But I've definitely learned a lot over the past year for sure. The first year of my business, I was, you know, it was new. I was just having fun. I was traveling. It was just what it was. And then last year I was more established and I was really trying to figure it out, like how to do this. So I basically spent the entirety of last year trying to figure out like where I had friction

Starting point is 00:27:22 and what I needed to change. And then I took, well, I said I was going to take only December off, but I've ended up taking off from December until now off of client work in order to like restructure everything. So it's basically just been like building the right systems, figuring out like where I actually excel with client projects and figuring out like where I need help to bring that. And for me, especially with client projects, it's like hiring an operations manager. So that's going to help me a lot because I just want to focus on the creative stuff and the admin is where the friction is. So definitely having somebody to help on that side is going to help

Starting point is 00:28:00 me with the time management. And then balancing that with Rebel Design Club is hard. I'm not going to lie. But I've actually set quarterly goals so that I'm not overworking on, you know, on all of the ideas that I have because originally I just wanted to do everything all at once, but it's impossible. So now I've broken it down. It's like, okay, so Q1, we're launching the products. Q2, we're doing the next thing, Q3. And that helps me know that it's coming, but I don't feel that pressure to just like get it done immediately, which has helped me break down and balance the two business is a lot better. I agree and I like it because it doesn't feel overwhelming and it gives you some kind of peace or confidence that you'll achieve it but doesn't

Starting point is 00:28:44 need to be done everything now but step by step so it sounds smart and so it's good yeah and then balancing that with the obviously creating content i feel like it's just the fact that i've done it so much now that it doesn't actually take that much time i used to spend so much time on lincoln back in the day but now i don't spend anywhere near as much which is like beneficial i i have have other stuff to get on with. So yeah, spending less time on LinkedIn is definitely also a big health. I'm not going to lie. I try to focus on it more because I also sometimes feeling that, oh my God, I'm there so much. Shouldn't forget there is a life outside as well. Oh, 100%. Yeah. And it can feel, you can feel productive, just scrolling on LinkedIn and

Starting point is 00:29:30 refreshing and seeing how you're posted. But it gets to a point where you need to like set a boundary with yourself and say, okay, like, park that side. Yes, I might get less engagement on my post because I'm not looking at it 24-7, but it will help because I'm now running, I have time to run my business. Yeah, I agree. And as you are speaking of LinkedIn, I know they are on Instagram, but have you got like other platforms or plan to focus or grow any other platforms? I mean, yeah, I'd love to go on all of them, but again, it's a time thing,

Starting point is 00:30:04 isn't it? So I'm taking it bit by bit. I think with, I am trying to build my profile on other platforms, mostly because of like my own personal goals, but I'm trying to just slot it in to my life so it feels easy because I have got so many other things to get on with. I don't want to then think, okay, I need to learn this new platform and I need to like set time aside to film this content. Like I'm just trying to slot it into my life so I'm just documenting rather than, you know, doing a whole new thing because it's like essentially a whole new business at that point.

Starting point is 00:30:38 And it's hard. I'm not afraid at it. No, I like your content because, for example, on Instagram, we've got cool shorts that, oh my God, that's the word. I don't want to say authentic because you said that before that you don't like it. But you know what I mean? That's kind of from live, vlogs, or like shots from the place that you live in, and it just looks good to me.

Starting point is 00:30:57 And it reminded me of this, I think, post you shared that you were about to film something. And there was suddenly earthquake. So you actually managed to record Earthquist. I was like, oh my God, I cannot imagine. It's not what I didn't happen. Oh, that was wild. I was actually filming a video that day already. I was trying to document, like, me going out and visiting some art galleries.

Starting point is 00:31:18 And suddenly there was an earthquake. I was like, well, that's the need of a record then. Yeah. Yeah. And, Hannah, when it comes to a creative side, what are the tools that you use for content creation, designing, and stuff like that? So I design a lot in Adobe, classic, and Figma. A lot of the quick stuff and website stuff I'll do in Figma. More complicated, like brand, like logos and patterns and etc.

Starting point is 00:31:45 It will be done in Adobe just because the tools are a little bit better for that in Adobe. But yeah, those are my two main ones. So you are not kind of a person. Oh, no. I mean, it's great, but I definitely can't do, to the standard that I want to provide for my clients, I wouldn't be able to do that in Canber. Yeah, understand. And big topic, of course, is AI.

Starting point is 00:32:10 So are actually someone who's interested in AI, or kind of just because it's there? And if so, maybe to what extent, or if you use it? I'm definitely not against AI. I kind of was skeptical at first, but I've now realized that it can be a good tool. I was worried about how it would affect the design industry as so many people are

Starting point is 00:32:33 and a lot of people are still worried about it there's definitely like there's space for that to be worried about it but I think for me I kind of view it like you know this is such a weird analogy but you know how back in the day nobody had flat pack furniture

Starting point is 00:32:50 but then businesses started to like manufacture furniture really easily and quickly and now anyone can go to the shop and get like a flat pack wardrobe and you can build it yourself and it'll be fine. It'll do the job but it's not amazing quality. But there's still people out there that want to buy a really nice oak chest of drawers and it's going to be like handcrafted and it's going to be gorgeous and it's going to last you the rest

Starting point is 00:33:18 of your life and beyond generations. There's still always room for the artistry in the creative fields and yes there'll be people that like want a quick job that's done easily by AI. and they can have that, but it just means that the value of your ward becomes a lot more important. I think actually it will likely affect beginners a lot more than senior designers, because there's less room to be bad at design, because AI can do it quite well, and it'll only get better. But yeah, I think it's new as well, like AI is so new still. There's definitely a way.

Starting point is 00:33:55 There's always a way around it. There's always a way. I understand and agree because for example I think even if you look at LinkedIn that many people use it I use it as well everyone kind of uses that

Starting point is 00:34:09 but I think there is a point or there is going to be a point when everyone kind of starts sounding the same or similar so then actually your personality and kind of unique edge or something unique about yourself is going to be something that makes you actually stand out so

Starting point is 00:34:25 yes it's great but I think it's not going to replace because then it will be kind of boring if everyone was the same. Yeah, people are already bored of it and it's not even that old. Like AI has only been around for a few years and people are already bored of it. I think we're fine.

Starting point is 00:34:42 And there is constantly new stuff happening, you know, when we release this episode, it's probably going to be outdated already because there is new stuff again. Yeah, and I mean in my industry and design like I'm sure people were worried when the computer came out and people were designing graphics on a computer much faster than then they were hand crafting them

Starting point is 00:35:02 and doing like individual letters, whatever it was. Like, yes, it's here, it's going to be here. Like we need to figure out how to use it to our advantage and make our processes more efficient. And there's definitely a dream for that. Yeah. And Hannah, when it comes to your clients, have you got like a specific niche or demographic that you work with? Or what is it that clientele that you focus on? Yeah, so it's sort of similar to what I was saying earlier about like going into the creator industry.

Starting point is 00:35:31 So I specifically want to work with content creators who are like in their early stages of entrepreneurship or they're just like looking to sort of expand their ecosystem and start building brands because I think that is like the future. A definitely one huge big part of the future of business are these people that have massive profiles and they're, you know, building businesses basically. and I love the creator industry. I think it's like one of the coolest things. I've always been obsessed with that. So I love working with creators. I honestly, when I was younger, I probably wasn't interested in it as much.

Starting point is 00:36:08 But I don't know if it's because of the podcast or LinkedIn, but I got very much interested into it lately as well. And I feel like that it's already booming. Like for example, YouTube, LinkedIn or other platforms and I can see that in the future it's going to be even bigger. So I'm happy to hear what she said and I like it. Yeah, there's definitely like some big creators that have paved the way for that new era of the industry. And even now, like creators are instead of taking brand deals, they're taking equity in businesses.

Starting point is 00:36:36 And they're like doing all these things and thinking more like entrepreneurs. And it's a really exciting time. And like, I'm like, yes, I want to be part of that. Yeah, yeah, me too. And speaking of this, what will be some of your inspirations, whether it's inspiration for your own content, like a creator? or creators that motivate you? Have you got favorite ones? I mean, I don't know if I specifically have,

Starting point is 00:37:02 I couldn't like say off the top of my head, I'm not great at thinking off the top of my head like that with names. I'm quite terrible with names. No, it's a key fit. I think like my biggest inspiration right now is more like within my own creative process because I am trying to move more into a like creative director role in my business. So I mean like recently, obviously very relevant.

Starting point is 00:37:24 I've been watching the Winter Olympics, and I was like really digging in deep on how the brand was created for the Winter Olympics. And I was like, I loved the process of that. And the creative director, I've forgotten her name, because I'm terrible with names. But she was doing like so much in-depth, like, research within Italy and just like chatting to a lot of different people, getting a lot of different like perspectives, which directed the brand. And like, it's just like both sorts of things that I find really inspiring. And especially now, you know, I'm living in this amazing city. I've got high access to so many other amazing cultural cities. I really want to use that as my inspiration. Yeah, I like it. It makes sense. And I like what you said with Olympics.

Starting point is 00:38:05 I have to, we'll have to check it out as well. But it just reminded me that, for example, every country has specific clothes for the Olympics. And it also sometimes looks like, oh, it's just because it looks good. But then you read about why they made specifically this one. there's like actually story and the whole reasoning behind it. So it sounds really, really cool. Yeah. I think that the Olympics is a really good inspiration, especially within the field that I want to move into,

Starting point is 00:38:34 because creating a brand for the Olympics, which you have to please so many people, like it's like not only Italy, but also the world. I kind of feel like not on the same scale, but, you know, with the creators I want to work with, who have an audience with people from all over the place with so many different experiences. Yeah, like trying to get them on board with one. With one, a specific concept is hard, but like an exciting challenge, I think.

Starting point is 00:39:04 I think so too. And it sounds great. So we'll be following and supporting you. And Hannah, then by the end of our recording, I like to ask kind of lighter questions. So what is it that you like to do in your free time or what are some of your hobbies. Oh my God. I feel like I just, I feel like I just work so much. I actually have, I am a very curious person, so I'm interested in a lot of things. Right now, I'm very, this is so silly, but I'm really into horses. On the weekend, we're going horse riding. My girlfriend bought me a horse riding package for

Starting point is 00:39:42 Christmas, so we're off to go and do that. Didn't even know they had horses in Thailand until Christmas day. You made me think as well. I was like, it's interesting in Thailand. I didn't know. Yeah, I know. And yeah, obviously like exploring, traveling, all those sorts of things. But I think it's great because it gives you all the experience, adventures and all the fun and memories, doesn't it?

Starting point is 00:40:06 Yeah. Then I would ask you if there's like a place that you want to visit or travel to, but as we discussed before, I assume that right now you don't have like any plans or any other. Or do you? I mean, I mean, there's always a place in mind for me. I really want to go back to Japan. But I always want to go back. It's also quite close to here, ish.

Starting point is 00:40:31 But it's the design culture in Japan is so good that I'm always like itching to go back and get some more inspiration. It's more like the way, even outside of the design industry in Japan, so many people, it's just like the way of life. like the way they sort of conduct themselves and they're so precise and everything they do. Like I find that really inspiring and motivating. So I like to go back and... Yeah. And as you say that you would like to go back, does it mean that you visit it or you even lived there? I know. I never lived there. It's a shame. But I, yeah, I went there last May. So quite a while ago now, actually, almost a year ago.

Starting point is 00:41:13 But I would definitely love to visit it. won't it as well. It sounds really colour but gains a lot. It's amazing. Especially for creative people. It's really good. And Hannah, do you read books? And if so, have you got any recommendations? I do read books. Most of the books I read are non-fiction. However, my favourite book in the world is a fiction book and it's Kafka on the shore, which I actually read in Japan. And it did define my experience traveling Japan because I was reading it as I traveled.

Starting point is 00:41:46 I'm sorry, what is it briefly about? I don't think I know it. It just follows the story. Oh, God, you've put me on the spot and now I need to remember exactly what it's about. No, no, no. Sorry, I just thought if I know it, but I don't think I know it. But I will have a look after that way. It's really, really good.

Starting point is 00:42:04 You should definitely look it up. I find it, I mean, again, I've got a terrible memory, but I remember it specifically for the way it made me feel rather than, like, the storyline. It was basically just following a guy's experience. going through Japan, which is really basic. But anyway, it's a lot more in depth than that, but I found it really inspiring.

Starting point is 00:42:23 And then, yeah, I'm currently reading the E-Myth Revisited, which is for small business owners. And, yeah, that's been really helpful, especially with the time management stuff we spoke about earlier. Yeah, as I'm entering this new era of business, that's been a very good help for me. I think I read it some time ago, and I've seen it like many times on all kinds of charts

Starting point is 00:42:46 that it's a book for like entrepreneurs and people who want to start businesses like one of the ones were recommended so I think that's definitely great. Yeah, it's really good. And any other? Or these two are like, that are on your mind or favorite ones?

Starting point is 00:43:03 I've got quite terrible active recall. I'm not going to know. No, don't worry. I'm bad at thinking on this off my head of things like that. No, it's all good, though. I'm surprised I came up with them too if I'm being honest. I'm quite proud of myself. When we finish recording it, we'll be like, oh, why didn't I mention this one? And this one and this one.

Starting point is 00:43:21 I know. I'll have to message you if I remember any. We discussed before what you are working on and what are your plans. But are there like any other goals, plans or ambitions that you've got and would like to share for the audience to be excited about? Oh, God. I definitely have. I've definitely got loads. I don't know why I'm struggling to remember. Maybe there are too many so that you don't know which one to pick. Yeah, too many. I mean,

Starting point is 00:43:51 my big focus is obviously are on launching. It's all I'm thinking about right now is relaunching Alsk and getting that out there and yeah, I'm currently working on the website. I've been working on some really fun animations today, actually. So I'm excited to share those.

Starting point is 00:44:08 I think I look at the website of your agency, not the, I'm sorry, I forget the one with the four words because I don't want to say something is wrong. A, remind me what the place? Yeah, yeah, yeah. There is just like a placeholder, isn't it, on the website with emoji.

Starting point is 00:44:28 Yeah, at the moment. It's close, though. I'm so close. We've got big expectations when it's out, so excited. I know, there is. And there's definitely added pressure with, like, so many eyes on it now. When I first looked at my website, like two years ago, I was like, oh, it doesn't matter. So, Hannah, can you please summarize where people can find you, follow you, and you can promote any of your services as well?

Starting point is 00:44:55 Yes, obviously on LinkedIn, come and connect with me. I always want new people to make friends of, so definitely I'm there. And I am trying to build my Instagram, so, yeah, I mean, you can go and look at it if you want. It's Hannah Del Herrera as well. Just bear with me while I'm figuring out what the hell to make. content on there because video is so much harder than... Oh yeah, it is. But those are my cue mate.

Starting point is 00:45:17 As I said before, I think you're doing it great, so don't underestimate ourselves. I like the content and I think it's really good. And I interrupted you. Was there anything else that you wanted to share like the links or anything like that? But we discussed it before. I mean, you know, if there's any designers listening, obviously, I do have a bi-weekly newsletter, Rebel Design Club, where I'm sharing like a lot of my... my own insights at the moment. And obviously when we've got stuff coming up, you'll hear about it first

Starting point is 00:45:44 as well. So see, you've got also time for a newsletter. So there's so much time when you started. There's a reason it's bi-week. So then, Hannah, very last question. Is there anything I should have asked you at the not or any final, I don't know, message, advice or anything to share with audience before we finish? I mean, I think, you know, I say it all the time, but just like go after your big dreams. Like, don't dim them down for anyone. Don't follow somebody else's dreams. Just always go after your own. And no dream is ever too big. That's like the philosophy I live by. I like it. And I was going to say that I think you are a great example, whether we've built in your brand, building the businesses, or even traveling the world and living in your favorite

Starting point is 00:46:29 destination. So I think you're doing great. I enjoy content. So I think we can finish then. So thank you so much for our time. It was nice to chat, nice to see you at least virtually. And we'll be wishing you all the best with what you're building, following and supporting. So thank you so much and all the best. Thank you so much for having me. Thanks for listening to Produce By with Tome. Check the show notes for all the links. And don't forget to subscribe, like and share your feedback. Speak soon.

Produced By - From Freelance to Founder: Stepping Into Creative Leadership | 146: Hannah del Herrera

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