This conversation is part of our Business Series, designed to support creative professionals with the tools and strategies they need to grow.

Do you define business development as “cold calling,” “sales,” or “marketing”? Do you rely on referrals or SEO for most of your new business? Are you allowing existing clients to shape your firm’s direction?

This conversation with consultant Emily Cohen of Casa Davka will focus on strategies for building authentic, one-to-one relationships with prospects that take time, focus, ongoing nurturing, and a shift in tactics. When done well, these strategies can be a fun, challenging, and rewarding aspect of any successful business, leading to better-qualified and longer-term, mutually beneficial relationships. You’ll learn why it’s important to change your thinking about what new business actually is and explore more authentic ways to approach it.

The session will be moderated by Courtney Spencer, Founder and Creative Director of Dear Fellow Creative, and will conclude with a Q&A, giving you the chance to get straightforward feedback on your most pressing business development questions and connect with peers to share challenges, concerns, and opportunities.

Meet the Speaker

Emily Cohen

Emily Cohen, Founder & Partner at Casa Davka, is a no-nonsense business consultant who has partnered with 500+ leading creative firms worldwide. At Casa Davka, Emily works holistically with our clients to envision and plan for their future and business growth but has a particular passion and expertise in positioning, business development, and organizational development strategies. 

Emily is a frequently requested main stage speaker within the creative industry and has spoken at hundreds of international, national, and local conferences and events for organizations such as: Creative Mornings, AIGA, Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), and Creative South. 

In 2018, she self-published her business book for creatives, Brutally Honest: No-bullshit business strategies to evolve your creative business. Brutally Honest has become a go-to business book for creative industry professionals worldwide, and several universities use it as a teaching tool. 

Emily is a designer by degree, an avid reader, a dog-lover, a trend-spotter, a connection-builder, and an industry advocate.

Meet the Moderator

Courtney Spencer

Courtney Spencer is the founder and CEO of Dear Fellow, a design firm that works with brands in fitness, health, and DTC. As a designer, educator, and entrepreneur, she’s passionate about building thoughtful design systems that help businesses connect with their audiences.

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