BEYOND Design: The Business & Mindset Podcast for Designers & Creatives

Nelett Loubser - Creative Entrepreneur Since 2010 - Designer, Creative Business & Mindset Mentor

BEYOND Design is a podcast for designers, freelancers, and creatives who want honest conversations about the creative process, mindset shifts, self-doubt, burnout, pricing, confidence, and building a creative business that feels good to run. Hosted by me, Nelett Loubser, I share real stories, lessons from the design industry, and the business and emotional side of creative work that people do not always talk about. Because design is only one part of it — the rest is mindset, boundaries, growth, and learning how to build a creative career and life that works for you.

  1. APR 28

    How to Set Up Your Freelance Design Business

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of BEYOND Design, I’m talking about the part of freelancing we often avoid in the beginning — setting up the basic foundation of your freelance design business. Not the fancy website. Not the perfect brand. Not seventeen apps and a dramatic business plan. Just the simple things that make you feel more legit, more organised, and less all over the place when a client finally asks, “Can you send me a quote?” We’ll talk about the four basics every freelance designer needs: admin, client basics, simple tools, and a clear online presence. Because sometimes the reason your business feels messy is not because you are not talented enough. It is because the structure behind the work is not holding you yet. I also share a simple 7-day get set up plan to help you start putting the right things in place without overthinking everything. You do not need to build the whole business in one day. You just need somewhere solid to stand. Read the full shownotes and 7-day checklist here Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset ChallengeDownload: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flowThe Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with easeLet’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    16 min

  2. APR 8

    Business Side of Design: Talent Gets You Hired — This Keeps You Booked.

    Send us Fan Mail The 80/20 Truth: Design talent might get you hired once… but it’s the other 80% that keeps you booked. In this episode we talk about the part of freelancing nobody posts about: boundaries, client communication, systems, confidence — and even that thing I call “email apnea” (when your inbox makes you hold your breath like it’s about to ruin your day). You’ll leave with one practical takeaway: five non-negotiables for how you work, so clients don’t run your life. Full show notes (and steal the non-negotiables list) Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset ChallengeDownload: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flowThe Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with easeLet’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    16 min

  3. MAR 12

    How I Started Kunshuis (And I’d Do It All Again Today)

    Send us Fan Mail This is the most requested episode I get: how I started Kunshuis. I’m taking you back to 2009/2010 — the spare-bedroom days, after-hours work, the awkward phone calls, the “Eish… I hope this works” moments… and the simple things I did that still matter today. In this episode, I share what I did first to get clients, why I didn’t niche (and why I don’t regret it), the small habits that made me feel like a proper professional, and how human connection became the lifeline of my business. If you’re starting out, starting again, or you’re craving a calmer way to build your freelance life… this one’s for you.  🖤 Get the full show notes (plus links + resources) here Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset ChallengeDownload: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flowThe Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with easeLet’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    19 min

  4. MAR 6

    Working From Home Without Losing Your Mind

    Send us Fan Mail Working from home sounds like the dream… until it’s week two and you’re sitting in the same spot again, feeling flat, distracted, and a bit alone. In this episode, I share the real story of how KunsHuis started (dining-room desk, pay-as-you-go internet, all of it) — and what actually helped me climb out of that early working-from-home slump. We’re talking dedicated space, routine, boundaries, staying connected, and the small things that make freelancing sustainable. → Show notes, 🖤, and links mentioned are waiting for you:  https://kunshuis.com/2026/03/06/working-from-home/ Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset ChallengeDownload: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flowThe Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with easeLet’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    13 min

  5. FEB 9

    Find Clients Without Social Media: Start with Your Inbox

    Send us Fan Mail Somewhere between the school bags, the “quick” client emails that are never quick, and making supper… a lot of creatives are quietly waiting for work to just… arrive. And babe, I get it. I’ve done it too. In this episode, I’m sharing a very unglamorous but very effective truth: Before you go looking for new clients… check your inbox. Because the clients you’re praying for aren’t always strangers. Sometimes they’re already sitting in old emails… warm leads… past clients… the “let’s chat after the holidays” people. We’ll talk about why the inbox feels so heavy (it’s not just admin, it’s feelings). How to follow up without sounding awkward or desperate. And how to create a simple little rhythm so you stop guessing and start moving again. You’ll walk away with a calm plan you can use this week — even if it’s already February and your “fresh start” only arrived now. ✨ I also made a free Starter Planner to help you do it: Inbox to Clients 👉 Download it here: www.kunshuis.com/inbox 🎧 Listen to the episode + show notes here Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset ChallengeDownload: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flowThe Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with easeLet’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    16 min

  6. JAN 21

    Design Your Days (So You Don’t Lose Yourself by Wednesday)

    Send us Fan Mail Somewhere between the school bags, the client emails, the dog walk, and making supper… a lot of creatives are quietly burning out. In this episode, I’m sharing the simple rhythm that’s helping me hold client work and build what’s next — without losing myself halfway through the week. We’ll talk about why the problem usually isn’t time… it’s transitions. How to protect your mornings like a studio. And how to use weekly themes + monthly batching so your podcast/course/products don’t become another stressor. You’ll walk away with 5 practical takeaways you can use this week — even if life is full and your energy is not unlimited. 👉 Show notes + the full article version are on my blog (and you can read it even if you don’t listen):  https://kunshuis.com/2026/01/21/design-your-days/ Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset ChallengeDownload: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flowThe Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with easeLet’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    13 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    How to Stay creative in the holiday season

    Send us Fan Mail If you're in that weird space between wanting to rest and still wanting to feel inspired — this one's for you. In this episode, we’re talking about how to stay creative during the holidays without forcing it. Because let’s be honest — your brain might be fried, your to-do list is a bit of a joke, and inspiration doesn’t exactly strike between school concerts and shopping lists. I’m sharing what I’ve learned about letting creativity play (instead of pushing it), what that actually looks like when you’re tired, and why your best ideas often show up when you stop trying so hard. → Show notes, 🖤, and links mentioned are waiting for you : https://kunshuis.com/2025/12/09/stay-creative-during-the-holidays/ Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset ChallengeDownload: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flowThe Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with easeLet’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    6 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    Why we need to stop designing lives we constantly want to escape from

    Send us Fan Mail If December is the only time you finally breathe, this episode is for you. I’m talking about the moment I realised the life I was designing — the one I thought looked “successful” — was actually exhausting me by the end of every year. This one’s not about productivity hacks or how to squeeze more into your day. It’s about learning to pause on purpose. Daily. Not just during the holidays. Let’s talk about why rest is not a reward. Why slowing down doesn't mean falling behind. And why we need to stop designing lives we constantly want to escape from. → Show notes, 🖤, and links mentioned are waiting for you here: https://kunshuis.com/2025/12/04/stop-designing-lives-we-constantly-want-to-escape-from/ Thanks for listening to BEYOND Design ✨ If this episode spoke to you, here are a few ways to keep the conversation going: Website & Resources → kunshuis.com Shop creative tools → The Kunshuis Collective Show notes & blogs → kunshuis.com/blog Free support for creatives: 21-Day Creative Reset ChallengeDownload: Asking Better Questions (Client Guide) 🖤 My favourite tools for life + business: The Playbook Planner — your creative sidekick for focus + flowThe Playbook Desk — a Notion-powered space to run your freelance business with easeLet’s connect & stay inspired: 📸 Instagram Join the Beyond Design Room on Facebook Because design is only 20%… the rest is life. Thanks for being here, friend. You’re not alone in this journey—let’s design it together.

    8 min
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About

BEYOND Design is a podcast for designers, freelancers, and creatives who want honest conversations about the creative process, mindset shifts, self-doubt, burnout, pricing, confidence, and building a creative business that feels good to run. Hosted by me, Nelett Loubser, I share real stories, lessons from the design industry, and the business and emotional side of creative work that people do not always talk about. Because design is only one part of it — the rest is mindset, boundaries, growth, and learning how to build a creative career and life that works for you.

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