In this episode of Beyond the Interface, Jacalin Ding shares her journey from designer to entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of business acumen for designers. She discusses the challenges of side hustles, the necessity of resilience, and the synergy between design and business. Jacalin also highlights the importance of understanding stakeholders, gaining a seat at the strategic table, and the qualities that make an A-player in design. She provides insights into networking, especially for introverted designers, and encourages broadening one's network.

Links to Jacalin's channels:

https://subscribepage.io/5fnCLH

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacalinding/
Substack: https://substack.com/@jacalinding?utm_source=profile-page
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVUPHxnuMXrkgPobAA5wHKg

Learn from Jacalin:
4 weeks Maven Course: "Strategic Design Career Accelerator" - 3 cohorts per year (Next cohort: FEB 28th)

10% OFF Course Code for Listeners: BeyondPodcast

Self-paced course Launching SOON:

"Strategic Business Acumen for Designers"
Join waitlist now:
https://subscribepage.io/5fnCLH

00:00 Introduction to Jacqueline Ding and Her Journey

02:21 The Entrepreneurial Spark: From Designer to Business Owner

04:57 The Reality of Side Hustles and Entrepreneurship

07:19 Building Resilience Through Life Experiences

11:15 The Intersection of Design and Business Acumen

15:12 Understanding When to Invest in Design

19:13 The Importance of Strategic Thinking for Designers

24:40 Course Overview: Empowering Designers with Business Skills

30:20 Getting a Seat at the Table: Influence and Relationships

38:20 Maintaining Influence and Contribution in Business Strategy

42:13 The Essence of A-Players46:22Networking Beyond Events

54:16 Introverts in Design

59:20 The Future of Design: Strategy and Business Acumen

01:10:06 Making a Difference: Education and Empowerment