In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the complexities of hiring, onboarding, and managing teams in today’s creative and digital industries. They discuss evolving hiring practices, the impact of technology on skill development, and the legal and interpersonal realities of running a business…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of managing last-minute client requests, rush jobs, and the importance of setting boundaries in creative projects. They share real-world experiences, discuss strategies for transparent communication, and emphasize the value of educating c…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of maintaining quality while growing a business sustainably. They share personal experiences of overextension, discuss strategies for responsible scaling, and explore the importance of pricing, client management, and avoiding burnout. Vid…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the intricate world of creative work, exploring the time, research, and iterations required to produce high-quality content. They discuss the challenges of managing client expectations, the impact of technology on creative processes, and the importance …

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of maintaining creativity and inspiration in professional work. They explore personal strategies for overcoming creative blocks, managing client relationships, and maintaining a productive mindset. Video Version https://youtu.be/yZP6SvmJy…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the concept of creative residue, exploring how unused ideas, footage, and design assets can be repurposed or recycled in creative industries. They discuss the ethical and legal considerations of reusing content, potential business opportunities, and the…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the strategic importance of specializing in a specific industry and service offerings. They explore how niching down can lead to more targeted marketing, better team alignment, and potential business growth. Video Version: https://youtu.be/xIjZeiqRq28 N…

In this episode of Creative Context, Douglas and Eric dive into the complicated question of whether or not to work with a former client again. Whether they left on good terms or ghosted you mid-project, the decision to rekindle a working relationship isn’t always straightforward. They share personal stories, explore red flags and green flags, and c…

This episode unpacks the real reasons marketing videos often fail to convert and outlines how to approach video strategy more effectively. Doug and Eric share insights from years of client work, DIY video experiences, and industry trends to highlight what separates high-performing videos from the rest. Video version: https://youtu.be/xy0aw4wO9NU Ma…

In this episode of Creative Context, we sit down with Eulalio Guevara, founder of Friends of Gardens, to explore the often-overlooked creative world of landscaping. From his roots in El Salvador to founding an eco-friendly landscaping company in Massachusetts, Eulalio shares how soil health, sustainability, and vision all come together to transform…

Get to know the voices behind Creative Context. In this episode, Doug and Eric open up about their childhoods, how they found their way into creative work, and the pivotal life experiences that shaped their perspectives. From high school summers in Kennebunkport to snowboarding in Colorado and building careers in video production and design, it’s a…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the complexities of friends and family discounts in professional services. They explore the potential pitfalls of offering discounts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining value, setting clear pricing boundaries, and respecting professional relation…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of referrals, client interactions, and the potential shift from service-based to product-based business models. They explore how positioning their creative businesses as distinct products can provide more value, clarity, and differentiati…

What separates the pros from the amateurs in creative work? In this episode of Creative Context, Doug and Eric dive into what defines a true professional—from mindset and reliability to emotional detachment and client communication. They share personal stories about early missteps, hard-earned lessons, and what finally made them feel like pros. Whe…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the creative journey of Erik DiMauro, exploring his experiences as a creative director and freelance designer. The conversation spans topics from career development and creative challenges to the emerging role of AI in design and marketing. https://www.…

In this episode of Creative Context, we explore the complex line between personal and professional relationships in creative work and business. As creatives, agency owners, and collaborators, how do you build meaningful connections without crossing boundaries that can backfire later? Douglas Duvall and Eric Wing share real stories about friendships…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the intricate world of creative processes across web development, marketing, and video production. They explore the importance of pre-production, the role of experience, the challenges of AI integration, and personal strategies for maintaining creativit…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the intricacies of working with subcontractors in creative industries. They explore the nuances of managing external talent, discussing communication strategies, payment considerations, and the balance between maintaining professional standards and allo…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the complex world of creative professional billing, payment strategies, and client relationship management. They share personal experiences, insights, and practical advice on handling invoicing, dealing with late payments, and maintaining professional b…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the importance of referrals, word-of-mouth marketing, and strategic partnerships for creative professionals. Referral Process and Initial Interactions (0:00) Experiences with BNI and Referral Groups (0:55) The Role of Referrals in Business (2:27) Buildi…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges and experiences of business travel, particularly for those in the creative industry. Traveling for Work in the Creative Field (0:00) Stress and Logistics of Business Travel (2:42) Challenges and Adaptations in Convention Filming (7:59) Im…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the importance of positioning creative professionals as partners rather than vendors, exploring the benefits of building trust, long-term relationships, and adaptability in client engagements. Positioning Creative Professionals as Partners (0:00) Buildi…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of creative burnout and share their personal experiences navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Creative Burnout and Personal Experiences (0:06) Impact of Burnout on Personal and Professional Life (4:13) Strategies for Preventi…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the nuances of building and maintaining successful client relationships, exploring the parallels between professional partnerships and personal connections. Holistic View of Client Relationships (0:06) Challenges in Client Engagement (2:25) Mirror Analo…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges and nuances of client breakups in the creative services industry, sharing personal experiences and strategies for handling these delicate situations. Breakups in Business: Marketing and Web Development (0:06) Handling Business Breakups wi…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the ever-changing landscape of media and how it affects creative professionals and their clients. 📌 Topics Covered: evolving media landscape, magazine industry, video production, AI and technology, business strategy, content creation, generative technol…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall and Eric Wing dive into the personal and professional journeys that led them to become successful creative entrepreneurs. 📌 Topics Covered: Backgrounds, early influences, career transitions, challenges of entrepreneurship, lessons learned, customer service, conflict resolution, business growth 📢 Key Takeaway…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the delicate balance between creative freedom and client control in marketing services and design projects. 📌 Topics Covered: creative freedom, client control, design projects, marketing services, client feedback, creative process, generational differen…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the nuances of pricing structures, project timelines, and content ownership when working with clients in the marketing, web development, and video production industries. The conversation explores strategies for transparent communication, managing client…

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the importance of establishing clear milestones and managing feedback processes when working on creative projects, emphasizing the benefits of a structured approach for both professionals and clients. 📌 Topics Covered: Defining milestones in marketing, …

In this episode, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive into the challenges of managing scope creep in creative projects. Whether you're a video producer, web developer, or business owner collaborating with creatives, this conversation is packed with practical advice on setting boundaries, maintaining profitabili…

In this episode of Creative Context, co-hosts Douglas Duvall of Motif Media and Eric Wing of Darby Digital dive deep into one of the most crucial, yet often overlooked, aspects of creative projects: the kickoff meeting. They explore how a well-structured kickoff meeting can help creative professionals and their clients get on the same page, avoid m…