About Design & Grow Collective
Design & Grow Collective is a weekly newsletter where I share my journey exploring the intersection of design and entrepreneurship, with the hope of connecting with fellow designers and creatives building their own path forward.
What to Expect
Unlike my more structured studio newsletter, this is where I get to be more candid, experimental, and personal. Each week, I'll share:
The real challenges and wins of building a design business
Tools, frameworks, and approaches I'm testing in my own practice
Honest reflections on balancing craft and entrepreneurship
Resources that have helped me navigate this path
Questions I'm wrestling with (because I certainly don't have all the answers)
Why I Started This
I created this newsletter because I believe in the power of learning in public and building community around shared journeys. As designers, we often focus on perfecting our craft while the business side remains mysterious and sometimes intimidating.
After transitioning from corporate roles to founding fwd design co, I found myself searching for honest conversations about the entrepreneurial side of design. This newsletter is the space I wish I had when I started—a peek behind the curtain of someone figuring it out in real-time.
About Me
I'm Kristina Olsen (Kristi), an experience designer and strategist with backgrounds in information science (MLIS) and business (MBA). After years in corporate settings analyzing systems and information architecture, I founded fwd design co to help businesses create strategic digital experiences.
My unique perspective comes from blending information management expertise with design thinking and business strategy. I'm passionate about creating systems and approaches that help both businesses and fellow designers thrive.
When I'm not designing or writing, you'll find me coaching high school cross country, running, or with my nose in a book.
Connect
This isn't meant to be one-way communication—I'd love to hear from you! Reply to any newsletter, share your own journey, or connect on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Let's grow together
