The CMD-Z Show (Matt Vojacek & Shelby Hagerdon)

When it comes to working with freelancers, it can be tough to clearly define how quickly they should respond and how often they should send updates. Is an appropriate response time 10 minutes? An hour? A day? What are the expectations? And how does that impact your relationship with them? We discuss this with Jeremy Thibodeau, creative producer at Rubicon Story, in the latest episode of The CMD-Z Show.

You've been on the same track for a long time and it's time for a change. But how? How can you alter the path you’ve been on this whole time? That’s what we asked Nils Root on this week’s episode of The CMD-Z Show.

By this point, I'm sure we've all seen the latest updates to AI and the realistic video it can produce. So what does that mean for the creative industry? What will it look like 5-10 years from now? We sat down with Mack Garrison of Dash Studios to talk about it on this week's episode of The CMD-Z Show. This is a passionate episode with passionate creatives. Don't miss it!

In this conversation, Matt Vojacek and Shelby Hagerdon discuss the current state of the motion design industry with guest Hayley Akins from Motion Hatch. They explore the challenges faced by freelancers and studios in a competitive market, the impact of economic fluctuations, and the importance of self-reflection and niche marketing. Hayley shares insights on building a business in difficult times, the role of social media, and overcoming fears associated with putting oneself out there. 

"You should be grateful that you get to do what you love everyday." "It's not about the money." Sure, as creatives, we are grateful and we probably didn't get into this field for the money... But does that make it okay to exploit our time and talents? We discuss this and how we can change it on this week's episode of The CMD-Z Show with Kevin Rapp, the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Ultra Friends. Kevin is also speaking at Making Midwest in May! You can find more information and purchase tickets at makingmidwest.com.

Matt and Shelby discuss what goes into effective feedback and how reviews should be constructed to help your team grow. 

Deborah Rycus asks Matt and Dylan a series of questions about the nitty-gritty of creative business ownership, starting with... How do you do contracts?

You can learn more about Deb at www.spiralboundcreative.com

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

In this episode, Matt and Shelby discuss the challenges that small studios face in reaching their full potential and are joined by Joel Pilger, a creative consultant. The main themes that emerge from the conversation are the importance of taking risks and going all-in, the need for studios to differentiate themselves and find their unique value proposition, and the power of personal connections and networking. 

Matt and Shelby sat down with EJ Hassenfratz wo chat about the future of the motion design industry and the impact of AI. The guests discuss the potential of AI in motion design, the ethical implications, and the importance of maintaining artistic authenticity. They also touch on the role of clients and the need for artists to find personal outlets for creativity. The future of the industry is seen as more interactive and focused on storytelling, with a divide between clients who value authentic, story-driven work and those who prioritize cost and efficiency.

Matt and Shelby catch up with Audrey Stemen to discuss her second year of freelancing. Check out last year's episode to hear more from Audrey!

“Art for art’s sake…” or so the old French slogan goes. A topic that’s been debated for centuries, Shelby and I ask the question, “Does art require meaning?” Philosphical and relatable, we dive deeper into what really makes art art and how we can define it in order to find its truth. 

In the current age (at the time of this episode's posting) of the writers strike and understanding how we can define the value of the creative services we provide, Shelby and Matt sat down to discuss how creatives can establish their worth. From finding your confidence and holding your ground, to the financial ramification of knowing one’s worth, to the value of AI… We cover a lot of ground in this episode of The CMD-Z Show! 

Matt and Dylan try to answer the question of what we wish we could do all day if money didn't exist.

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

This episode covers various topics related to the creative industry, including landing dream projects, growing client relationships, discovering creative missions, determining if the creative industry is the right fit, overcoming imposter syndrome, and knowing when to change paths or take a break. In this conversation, Matt and Shelby discuss the importance of taking breaks and scheduling time for rest and reflection. They emphasize the need for creatives to step away from their work and engage in activities that inspire them. They also explore the balance between consuming and creating, highlighting the value of both. Matt shares his favorite books for starting a creative business, and they discuss the challenges and joys of being a creative parent.

Books recommended by Matt:

• https://amzn.to/3XsksfB
• https://amzn.to/4e8VhpM
• https://amzn.to/47CaL2X
• https://amzn.to/4e49PHb
• https://amzn.to/3XwC75Q
• https://amzn.to/47x6OfN
• https://amzn.to/4eoqDIy
• https://amzn.to/3BjgY7G

"What do producers even do?" Well, in addition to having Shelby (co-host and producer) on the show, we also brought on Kate Weger, our other producer at Made By Things, to chat about their roles as producers. From a producer's importance and organization within a project to their role as a fellow creative, we chat through everything that makes a producer great.

How do you know when it's time to switch things up in a creative business? The industry is ever-changing and we are all currently in a period of transition. So what does that look like for your business? How do you know when to evolve? How can you overcome the fear of trying something new? And how do you choose to face it all?These are all big questions and probably too big for one podcast episode, but we tried to answer them anyway this week on The CMD-Z Show. And after you listen to our deep dive, you can check out Things By Things, the new Made By Things sister project, at thingsbythings.com.

In this conversation, Matt and Shelby discuss how to build a creative environment that people actually want to work in. They touch on topics such as employee benefits, flexible working hours, recognition and growth opportunities, and the importance of a comfortable and stable work environment. Matt shares his insights and experiences as a small business owner and emphasizes the value of creating a workplace where employees feel valued and invested.

Get ready for SEASON FOUR of The CMD-Z Show! We have a new format and we're kicking it off by asking our co-host, Matt Vojacek, what he wishes he could do "undo" about his creative career.

On this episode, Matt and Shelby discuss the value of staying focused on one thing at a time and having "eras" during your career.

In this episode, Dylan asks Matt about some of the tools, software, and subscriptions he uses for his business.

More info on Kat at http://www.katharringtonvoice.com/
More info on notion at https://www.notion.so/
More into on Quickbooks at https://quickbooks.intuit.com/
More info on Craft at https://craft.io/
More info on Everhour at https://everhour.com/

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

"You ever just feel lost?" That was the how a question from one of our listeners started. And with a question so big and so relatable to so many creatives, you know we had to talk about it. This week on The CMD-Z Show, we discuss how we handle feeling lost and how we can still stay sane and happy doing what we love. From financial security to mental health, we cover everything in this episode. 

Matt and Shelby discuss how to stay true to yourself while working in the business of creativity. 

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things. You can learn more about Made By Things at madebythings.com.

In this conversation, Matt and Shelby discuss the topic of falling back in love with your portfolio. They share their personal experiences and insights on how to create work that you're proud of and passionate about. They emphasize the importance of periodically reassessing and updating your portfolio to reflect your current interests and goals. They also discuss the value of personal projects and the freedom to start over at any point in your career.

Matt and Dylan ask Audrey about wrapping up her first year of freelance.

You can learn more about Audrey at https://www.audreystemen.com/

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

Getting creatives together in one space where they can learn and grow together has always been a challenge, especially once you’re working outside the realm of academia. But at Made By Things, we’ve been creating a place to do just that. In the latest episode of The CMD-Z Show, we chat about creative communities and our new instructional space, the Make Create Club. 

How do you tell a client that they're wrong? No one ever wants to, but the sign of a healthy client relationship is being able to talk through any issues that might arise... Like whether something should be blue or red. But if you approach it right and collaborate, maybe you can come up with a solution that's purple.

Finding time to have a side project can be challenging, let alone really finishing one. From budget constraints to time commitments to losing steam midway, there can be a lot of challenges in completing a project outside of our usual working hours. But when your work/life balance focuses on the love of the work, this can look very different. This week on The CMD-Z Show, we sat down to discuss Shelby’s latest side project, her feature film “Between the Lines,” which recently premiered and is currently making its way through the film festival circuit. Shelby breaks down how she views completing a side project and the challenges she faces, but also the joys of creating something just for herself with a team she loves. 

In this episode, Matt and Dylan ask Charles Hairston how background affects creativity.

You can learn more about Charles and his work at http://faseis.com
You can learn more about Amina Robinson at https://www.columbusmuseum.org/aminah-robinson-legacy-project
You can learn more about Making Midwest at https://www.makingmidwest.com

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

In this episode, Matt, Shelby, and guest Shawna Poliziani discuss the importance of finding your niche audience and positioning your brand. They explore the role of emotion in the creative process and the value of human touch in art and design. They also touch on the limitations of AI in creating meaningful and emotionally evocative work. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, trust in one's own taste, and the need for artists to prioritize their art over social media content creation.

In this episode, Matt asks Dylan how he prices his creative projects.

More info on David C. Baker and Blair Enns at https://2bobs.com
More info on Chris Do at https://thefutur.com
More info on Matt's Content Marketing Skillshare course at https://skl.sh/3k4MHy0

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

At the heart of creativity sits the human urge to make things and tell stories in ways only we as individual creatives can. But, with the rise of Artificial Intelligence, will that all change? What happens to the role of the “maker” when technology can also create? Matt and Shelby sit down with CJ Casciotta to discuss these questions and more in this episode of The CMD-Z Show. 

Matt and Shelby are joined by Audrey Havey to discuss the journey of freelancing and her experiences and insights gained during her first three years. Audrey shares her growth in confidence and understanding of the freelance landscape, while Matt reflects on the challenges and adaptations required in the freelance world. They explore the importance of momentum, financial planning, skill development, and marketing oneself effectively.

Matt and Shelby had Austin Saylor on the show to discuss how he was able to make $200k in a year as a freelancer. What were his steps and what made him successful? How can other freelancers find this kind of success as well? Hear all about it on this episode of The CMD-Z Show!

In this episode, Matt and Shelby discuss the challenges of staying focused as a creative and knowing what ideas to pursue. They explore the concept of being easily distracted and the importance of harnessing distractions in a productive way. They also discuss the need to commit to projects for a significant amount of time and the struggle of letting go of ideas that aren't working.

On this week's episode of The CMD-Z Show, we are going back to our roots and answering the question, "Why is it so difficult to find jobs in the creative industry right now?" From resumes to applications to seeking out new opportunities, this is an episode as timely as ever. And while we know every experience is different right now, we hope this can shed some light on the current state of the industry and how to approach it. 

In this episode, Matt and Shelby discuss their experiences after school and the challenges they faced in finding jobs in their respective fields. They share their personal journeys and the lessons they learned along the way as well as discuss the challenges and uncertainties of finding a job in the animation industry.

Finding and developing a personal art style is a process every artist goes through. While that process may look a little different for everyone, artists all face the same anxieties, pressure, and cyclical exercise of defining and re-defining what their style looks like. We sat down with Made By Things art director Melissa Lee Johnson to discuss what this process looks like on the latest episode of The CMD-Z Show.

We have a very special episode of The CMD-Z Show this week with a topic that doesn't recieve enough discussion. We sat down to chat with Jeffery Lawson about having a creative career while being disabled and how the military reinforced his love of art.

The term “self-promotion” can really make a creative cringe. It’s uncomfortable to just put yourself out there, whether that be on social media, through phone calls and emails, or simply creating demo reels. No one wants to come off as sales-pitchy. So how can a creative effectively promote their work while remaining true to their brand? 

Matt and Shelby chat with Dylan Menges about his first year back working full-time (as opposed to freelancing).

Matt and Shelby have Kevin Rapp back on the show to explore the current state of the creative industry and the challenges it faces. The main themes include the impact of budget constraints on content creation, the rise of AI technology, the need for experimentation, and the potential risks for freelancers and midsize companies. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of strategy and the value of handcrafted creative in delivering results for businesses. They also explore the importance of strategy and relationships in the creative industry, especially in the face of AI advancements. They emphasize the need for creatives to adapt, communicate their value, and focus on delivering tangible business results. 

Pitching can be hard and timeconsuming for both sides when starting a project. With a lot of unspoken and unwritten rules, we dive deeper into the world of pitching and how we can make the industry better by finding a new alternative. 

Matt and Dylan try to answer the question of what our BIG goal is when it comes to our business, creativity, and spirituality.

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

In this episode, Matt and Shelby discuss the best business model for creatives. They explore different models such as standard employment, freelance, and the agency model. They also dive into the details of running an agency, using a retainer model, implementing a subscription model, and exploring e-commerce. They highlight the pros and cons of each model and emphasize the importance of building relationships with clients and share their personal experiences. They also encourage creatives to constantly evolve and experiment with different models to find what works best for them.

Matt asks Dylan about leaving the full-time world to pursue running a business.

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

Matt asks Taylor about how we can maintain our mental health.

You can learn more about Taylor at https://taylorcashdan.com

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

When you’re just starting out and you finally hire your first employee, it can be daunting. But what does that look like for the person you’re actually hiring? This week, we invited Made By Things’ first hire, Colin van’t Veld, onto the podcast to give his perspective. 

It's that time of year where we reflect on the past 12 months, the goals we made in January, how we did on those goals, and what the next year will look like. On this episode of The CMD-Z Show, we go through the goals we set at the beginning of the year for ourselves and Made By Things. We also chat about our 2024 goals... You might even hear about some of the exciting things we have planned for the future.

A subject no one likes to bring up to their clients... pricing and budgets. How do you start the conversation and how do you negotiate once it's been brought up? How do you set appropriate pricing and how do set a plan in place for growth? And how do you get past the awkwardness of bringing up budgets? It's all in this week's episode of The CMD-Z Show. 

How do you make time for personal creative projects and how do you decide which one to pursue? On this week's episode of The CMD-Z Show, we discuss our processes when working on side/personal projects and how we view them. We also walk through how we decide what we should share and what is better kept to ourselves. These projects are just what the name suggests... personal. So everyone will have their own approach. Check out how we handle them!

In this episode, Matt asks Dylan how you know when it's time to make a big change?

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

Get ready for a special episode of The CMD-Z Show! We invited members of the Make Create Club to ask questions LIVE in the “studio.” ;) We cover everything from developing your skillset to understanding software to getting started in the creative industry. 

And don't forget to join the Make Create Club at makecreateclub.com.

Matt and Shelby invited Jesse Gentry to the show to explore the theme of starting something new when you feel like you're not good enough. It touches on the importance of having a support system, confronting fears, and staying humble. The discussion also highlights the role of education and the need to adapt to changing circumstances. 

Why is running a creative business to damn hard? The creative industry is constantly evolving and it can be challenging to know when your business should evolve with it... Or to predict where the evolution is going to occur. Will it be within the market? With tech advances? Or maybe the services you offer? In this episode of The CMD-Z Show, we outline how we handle these changes and our process of knowing when it's time to take a risk.

Matt and Dylan try to answer the question of how to deal with failure.

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

Matt, Shelby, and Saulo Nate discuss various topics related to starting and growing a creative business. They touch on the importance of authenticity, understanding your target audience, and creating brand awareness. They also discuss the challenges of marketing and finding the most effective content strategy.

Links to books mentioned by Matt:

• https://amzn.to/3XsksfB
• https://amzn.to/4e8VhpM
• https://amzn.to/47CaL2X
• https://amzn.to/4e49PHb
• https://amzn.to/3XwC75Q
• https://amzn.to/47x6OfN
• https://amzn.to/4eoqDIy
• https://amzn.to/3BjgY7G

Another week, another new episode of The CMD-Z Show. And we're thrilled to share our first guest of this new season. Let's welcome Mack Garrison to the studio!
Mack is the co-founder and director of content at dash. On this epsiode, we chat about learning from mistakes, having confidence to lead as a small studio, williness to ask questions, and handling projects early in a creative career.

Aaaaand welcome back to The CMD-Z Show! On this week's epsiode Shelby and I sit down with Founder and Chief Creative Officer Kevin Rapp to talk about some of his "undo's" in his creative career. With topics ranging from overcoming insecurities, building self confidence, delegation, and understanding your worth, this is an episode you can't mess!

The main theme of the conversation is the challenges affecting studios, particularly in relation to AI and the economy. Amanda highlights the lack of control over budgets and timelines, the uncertainty caused by AI, and the fear of job loss. Matt emphasizes the importance of building a strong creative community and adapting to change. They also discuss the role of ego and the need to embrace learning and growth.

In this episode, the Matt and Shelby discuss building a successful marketing strategy and the importance of storytelling and empathy with their guest, Jess Fogal. Jess is the head of marketing and culture at Provide. They also explore the collaboration between marketing and sales teams and the significance of creating a supportive team environment. The conversation highlights the value of empowering team members and fostering creativity. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of collaboration and trust between teams and the value of trusting external partners. The conversation explores the emotional impact of storytelling and the power of personal stories to create a connection with the audience. The discussion also emphasizes the balance between brand and sales, the impact of brand videos, and the importance of creating a personal connection with customers. Additionally, it addresses the challenges faced by marketing teams and provides advice on how to overcome them, including creating a safe and inspiring environment and embracing vulnerability.

In this conversation, Matt and Shelby discuss the concept of seizing opportunities and taking risks. They reflect on their own experiences and how they have created opportunities for themselves. They emphasize the importance of being flexible, not being afraid to try new things, and learning from each experience. They also discuss the idea that opportunities are not limited to just one big moment, but rather a series of smaller moments that can lead to significant opportunities.

Which came first? The money or the artist? We’ve worked on projects with a wide range of budgets, but it can still be challenging to know when it’s time to get scrappy and when we should really start to push ourselves and our capabilities on a project. In this week’s episode of The CMD-Z Show, Matt and Shelby discuss just how much of an impact finances have on creative projects and creative businesses as a whole. 

Audrey asks Matt asks Dylan about little victories that are the best as a creative business owner.

You can learn more about Audrey at https://www.audreystemen.com/

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

In this conversation, Matt and Shelby discuss what to do when feeling creatively stagnant. They explore the importance of taking breaks, both relaxing and adventurous, to recharge and spark new ideas. They emphasize the need to get away from the usual way of thinking and consuming new experiences. They also discuss the balance between consuming and creating, and how external factors can impact creativity. 

As creatives, we’ve all heard the phrase, “We’re not curing cancer.” We’re told that what we do doesn’t really make a difference in the grand scheme of things. But how can we change that? How can we use our skills to change the world around us?

That’s the question we decided to tackle in this week’s episode of The CMD-Z Show. From finding organizations that speak to you to getting involved in communities you care about, there are plenty of ways to use your skills.

In this conversation, Matt, Shelby, and Drysen Carsten discuss the importance of building a content plan that aligns with a brand's goals and target audience. They emphasize the need for a discovery process to understand the brand, its values, and its target market. By diagnosing the brand's needs and weaknesses, they can develop a customized content plan that addresses specific problems and provides targeted solutions

On this week's episode of The CMD-Z Show, we sat down with CJ Casciotta to discuss his new book, "The Forgotten Art of Being Ordinary: A Human Manifesto in the Age of the Meteverse." We also dig deeper into AI and what it means to slow down during the creative process.

Dylan asks Matt if feelings matter in creative work.

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design

How do you create a stand out portfolio? Is there one trick that will make you rise above the other applicants? How do you make sure you're the one called back for an interview? And how do you get the job? We chat about all of this and more on the latest episode of The CMD-Z Show. And if you have a portfolio you think could use some help, visit makecreateacademy.com where you can ask industry professionals to review and provide suggestions to make your portfolio really stand out!

Finding just the right story to encapsulate a client's brand and mission can be a challenge. From understanding your central themes to knowing the story's purpose to discovering how your voice works within the project, there are a lot of working parts to consider. On this week's episode, Matt and Shelby discuss how you can find those stories and, once found, how to tell them well. 

Every era comes to an end, and we are nearing the final episode of The CMD-Z Show. But we're not going anywhere. We're just moving to a new show! Welcome, Content Alchemy, a show all about the ingredients that can make your content marketing a little more magical. Content Alchemy is available everywhere now and we will be posting new episodes every Monday.

Imposter syndrome looks different for everyone, especially those working within the creative field. From being a perfectionist to doing everything yourself to becoming an “expert” for self-validation, the feeling that you are impersonating the professionals can take many shapes. Matt and Shelby discuss what imposter syndrome means to them and how creatives can overcome it.

This week we're answering what has been our most-asked question as of late... Do studio owners ever work on creative projects? From time management to finding new creative routes, we walk through how studio owners decide when to step into projects, if they prefer to stick to personal work, and how they balance it all. 

Some seasons are slower that others… And sometimes seasons are impacted by recession and plague. Whatever is happening to make business slow down, you have to be prepared. And beyond just being prepared… How can you use it as an opportunity to grow? 

In this episode, Matt and Shelby interview Christopher Adornato, one of the owners of Solari Creative. Chris shares his journey of starting as a 3D artist and working his way up to becoming an equity partner in the company. He emphasizes the importance of staying at one place and climbing the ladder, even in a field known for burnout. Chris also discusses the challenges of dealing with clients and learning not to take feedback personally. 

Matt asks Dylan about where good ideas come from and how to determine if it IS good.

CMD+Z is presented by Made By Things and Menges Design. You can learn more about Made By Things and Matt Vojacek at madebythings.com. You can learn more about Dylan Menges at menges.design