Life & Work with Kenzi Green of Benson, NC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenzi Green

Hi Kenzi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
While my college peers were out partying and living the typical college life, I was in the next room over, building a freelance design business from scratch in my tiny dorm room.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a graphic designer, which led me to attend Living Arts College in Wake Forest, NC. The school has since closed, but during my time there, I had a massive wake-up call—I didn’t want to work for an agency, I wanted to work for myself.

So, I got to work. I built my first website, started showing up at every Raleigh networking event I could find, and spent nearly every waking hour outside of class in my dorm, posting online and trying to book design clients. I offered everything—logos, brochures, business cards—whatever it took to get my foot in the door.

By the time I graduated in 2019, I was fully self-employed. No backup plan. No safety net. I even signed the lease on my first house. (Because, surprise—when you’re self-employed, banks don’t want to give you a loan. Shoutout to my landlord for taking a chance on me.)

But my first year in business wasn’t easy. I was working constantly but not attracting the clients I actually wanted, and I definitely wasn’t charging enough to sustain the lifestyle I envisioned. That’s when I realized something had to change. I completely rebranded, refined my offers, and repositioned myself. Almost overnight, I started attracting my dream clients and raising my rates—and that’s when it hit me: I wanted to specialize in brand and web design strategically, so I could help other business owners do the same.

Now, nearly seven years later, I run Kenzi Green Design, have worked with countless female founders, and have become an advocate for creatives charging more. I host The Unapologetic Designer Podcast and teach designers inside Design Biz Academy at The Brief Collective, helping them book high-ticket clients and build businesses that actually support their lifestyle.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was realizing that my $20,000+ degree taught me nothing about being self-employed. I had no clue how to work with clients, set boundaries, or price my work properly. At first, I dealt with clients who ghosted me on payments, disrespected my time, and expected me to be on call 24/7.

I learned the hard way what it really takes to be a professional—how to set boundaries, command respect, and build healthy client relationships in an industry that’s constantly undervalued.

That experience was a huge reason I co-founded The Brief Collective—to support other creatives navigating a world that doesn’t treat our industry with the same respect other professionals receive.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in playfully premium design—for female founders who create joy, take risks, and have fun.

I’m best known for my bold and out-of-the-box approach to design, as well as my unapologetic honesty when it comes to industry topics. I don’t sugarcoat things, and I definitely don’t do cookie-cutter design. My work is high contrast, high impact, and built for brands with high standards.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my dual role as both a designer and an educator. The skills I’ve gained from building an online design academy give me a unique edge when working with clients. I don’t just design and walk away—I build long-term relationships with founders, guiding them in creating a brand experience that not only stands out but also fuels their growth in revenue and reach. It’s about strategy, impact, and making sure their brand keeps evolving alongside their success.

When clients work with me, they get a true 1:1 VIP experience—just me, no middlemen, no outsourcing. I’m fully invested in their brand’s success, guiding them toward the best decisions and unapologetically pushing back when something doesn’t align with their goals. My job isn’t just to execute it’s to elevate. Also… I have pet chickens, and yes, they make occasional appearances in my brand.

What makes you happy?
Watching others step into their ultimate purpose and impact thousands—sometimes millions—of lives in the process is what drives me.

Brand and web design aren’t just about aesthetics; they’re about equipping my clients with the tools to reach more people, create a lasting impact, and deliver an unforgettable experience. Seeing them turn their skills into something that supports and uplifts others is one of my greatest joys.

That… and a good coffee, fresh flowers, my chickens, and a solid business book.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kenzigreendesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenzigreendesign
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KenziGreenDesign
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwHqV67gkJD8MSfI_OpnXlQ/featured
• Other: https://thebriefcollective.com/