Happy April, friends!
If you caught my last post, then you know I recently took on my very first client project — and let me tell you, the nerves were real! I wasn’t sure what to expect heading into the consultation, but I promised myself I’d show up as prepared as possible. And since this blog is all about my behind-the-scenes journey, I thought I’d share exactly how I got ready for it.
Step 1: Do Your Research Early
This project came from someone in my network — a super inspiring entrepreneur who owns a fitness business called FitnessWise. She specifically works with women of color who are transitioning into menopause, which is such a beautiful and unique niche. Full transparency: I’m not her target audience, but I have taken one of her classes before and it was hands-down one of the most fun workouts I’ve ever done!
Because I wanted to be thoughtful with the design, I started by diving into research about fitness journals. I spent some time browsing Pinterest and creating an inspiration board filled with colors, graphics, and layout ideas. My goal was to walk into our meeting with a strong visual starting point — something that would spark conversation and get her excited about the possibilities.
Step 2: Draft the Necessary Documents
This was my first official client project, so I knew I needed to get my business side in order. That meant putting everything in writing. The first document I created was a general service agreement outlining the project scope, pricing, and terms. From there, I put together a quote sheet that broke down the cost, the notebook quantity, and the deposit.
And finally, I created a small design document — just for me — to help keep track of my client’s wishlist for the notebook. This included things like color preferences, themes, and any must-have elements she mentioned in early conversations.
Step 3: Schedule & Host the Consultation
Once everything was prepped, we scheduled our meeting. We both love a good happy hour, so picking a cozy spot with an equal commute was easy! 🥂
During the meeting, I walked her through the inspiration board and all the documents I’d prepared. I really wanted to create space for open dialogue, so we took our time discussing her ideas and picking out the little details that would bring her vision to life. By the end of our meeting, we had the notebook concept locked in, and I reviewed the service agreement and quote sheet with her. I always like to save that part for the end — just in case the project doesn’t feel like the right fit.
Step 4: Send the Follow-Up Email
After our meeting, I finalized the documents and sent them over for e-signature. One thing I’m learning quickly? No project starts without those signed papers! I also made sure to include a deadline for signing everything to keep us both on track.
Before calling it a night, I mapped out my internal timeline and follow-up schedule — including when to send the first draft. Clear communication is key, and I wanted my client to feel confident that things were moving forward.
This project has kept me super busy over the past month, and I’m honestly so grateful. It’s exciting (and a little surreal!) to bring someone else’s vision to life.
I’ll be back at the end of the month with an update on how it’s going and more lessons I’m picking up along the way. Thanks for following along with me — this journey is only just beginning 💛