From burnout to building a $1M/year solo design business—Brett Williams proves that focus, simplicity, and systems can redefine freelancing success.
Brett Williams didn’t set out to build a million-dollar business. Like many freelancers, his story began with a deep love for design and an urge to create.
In his early career, Brett worked as a designer in traditional roles—both full-time and freelance. He spent years juggling projects, honing his craft, and doing what most designers do: grinding to meet deadlines, keep clients happy, and find the next gig.
But it didn’t take long for him to see cracks in the system.
Working as a freelancer, Brett faced familiar struggles:
On paper, he was “successful.” He was busy, getting clients, and making a living. But inside, Brett felt trapped. He was constantly exhausted, overworked, and undervalued.
“I was doing everything right, but it felt wrong. I was working harder, not smarter—and I knew I couldn’t keep going like that forever.”
At his breaking point, Brett asked himself a question that would change his life:
“What if I could simplify this?”
That one thought sparked an idea that would redefine how creative freelancers operate.
Brett’s radical solution to burnout was Designjoy—a productized, subscription-based design service.
Instead of writing proposals for every project, negotiating prices, and dealing with scope creep, Brett created an entirely new model:
For a flat fee, clients could submit as many design tasks as they wanted, and Brett would deliver them one at a time within 24–48 hours.
No contracts. No custom quotes. No hourly billing. Just simplicity.
The model was genius in its clarity. It solved three key pain points:
At first, people doubted it. Would clients really pay $5,000/month for a subscription to design services? Was this sustainable?
But Brett’s belief in the model—and his ability to execute—proved everyone wrong.
When Brett launched Designjoy in 2017, it started slow, like most new businesses. But the simplicity of his model made it an irresistible offer for the right clients.
Startups, SaaS companies, and small businesses began to see the value:
Ran realized he wasn’t selling time—he was selling results. So he switched to value-based pricing.
For businesses like these, Designjoy was a perfect solution.
Within a year, Brett had a steady roster of clients. Within a few years, Designjoy was generating over $1 million annually—all with Brett running the entire operation solo.
Clients crave simplicity. No back-and-forth negotiations. No surprises. Designjoy offered a clear, valuable proposition: pay a fixed monthly fee, get high-quality design work on demand.
Brett’s Tip: “Clients aren’t buying design—they’re buying peace of mind. Make it easy for them to say yes.”
Brett turned his skills into a product:
This model eliminated the chaos of custom freelance projects.
Instead of chasing cheap clients or small gigs, Brett positioned Designjoy for premium customers: startups, SaaS companies, and growing businesses that saw design as an investment.
By charging $5,000+ per month, Brett worked with fewer clients while earning significantly more.
Brett’s subscription model wasn’t just good for him—it delivered results for his clients.
Story 1: Startup Growth through Consistent Branding
One SaaS startup struggling with inconsistent visuals and branding turned to Designjoy. They needed:
Within three months, Designjoy transformed their brand identity. With a cohesive, professional look, the startup saw:
The founder’s feedback?
“Brett gave us the design quality of a top agency without the complexity or cost. It felt like having a full-time designer, but better.”
Story 2: A SaaS Company Saves Time and Money
A growing SaaS company had been working with multiple freelancers, juggling communication and deadlines. This fragmented approach wasted time and hurt their consistency.
Designjoy stepped in as their one-stop design solution. Brett streamlined their workflows, delivering:
The result?
“Designjoy let us focus on our business instead of chasing down freelancers. It’s the smartest decision we’ve made.”
Running a million-dollar business as a solo designer sounds impossible—but Brett’s secret is systems.
Here’s how he streamlined his operations:
Clients submit design requests via a shared Trello board. Tasks are queued, prioritized, and updated in real-time.
Brett built reusable templates for common design needs:
Templates saved time without sacrificing quality.
By working on one task at a time, Brett maintained focus and avoided burnout. Clients understood the system, which reduced scope creep.
Using platforms like Stripe, Brett automated monthly payments. This ensured consistent cash flow without chasing invoices.
Brett’s journey offers a masterclass in scaling a freelance business. Here are the key takeaways:
Brett’s story is a reminder that burnout isn’t inevitable. Freelancers often feel pressure to say yes to everything, work endless hours, and sacrifice their health for clients.
But as Brett discovered:
“Designjoy let us focus on our business instead of chasing down freelancers. It’s the smartest decision we’ve made.”
Brett’s success with Designjoy has inspired thousands of freelancers to rethink their businesses. As subscription models become more popular, Brett is at the forefront of a shift in the design industry:
While Brett remains a solo operator, his story raises a powerful question:
How can freelancers scale without losing their freedom?
The answer lies in focus, systems, and simplicity—exactly what Brett has mastered.
Brett Williams’ journey proves that freelancing doesn’t have to mean chaos, stress, or burnout. With clarity, systems, and a focus on value, you can build a business that works for you—on your terms.
If you’re a freelancer feeling stuck, take inspiration from Brett’s story:
Your freelance business has the potential to grow beyond what you imagine. Take one step today.
Your dream freelance business starts with clarity, simplicity, and action. Build it.
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