Agency Rocket Show

Ep 52: Learning Web Design: Growth, Feedback, and Letting Go of Perfection with Maren McDaniel

Don’t wait for perfect... submit it bad.
In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Liz Hunt sits down with DayCloud designer Maren McDaniel to talk about her journey from illustrator and graphic designer into the world of website design. They unpack what it really looks like to learn a new skill inside an agency environment, from early fear and perfectionism to feedback, collaboration, and real growth through doing.
Maren shares how she went from avoiding web design altogether to confidently building sites, why minimalist design can be harder than maximalism, and how wireframes, typography, color restraint, and UX thinking reshaped the way she designs. Liz offers insight into mentorship, critique, and why submitting work before it feels “ready” is essential to becoming a better designer.
If you’re a creative who’s afraid to show unfinished work, struggling with perfectionism, or learning something new and uncomfortable, this episode is your reminder that growth doesn’t happen when things are perfect. It happens when you start.

Episode 51: Writing for the Web: Translating Brand Voice into Website Copy with Keaton Haines

In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Host Liz Hunt is flying without Chelsea (who is off doing casual things like HAVING A BABY) and is joined by DayCloud’s own marketing coordinator and resident wordsmith, Keaton Haines. Together they break down what copywriting actually is, how website copy differs from “regular” writing, and why your site shouldn’t read like an HR handbook. They walk through DayCloud’s full website copy process—from discovery and brand voice, to wireframes, UX-minded content strategy, and collaboration between design and copy—and talk honestly about common mistakes businesses make when they DIY their words. You’ll hear how empathy and embodiment drive good copy, how to think about SEO without turning your site into keyword soup, and why “integrity, honesty, professionalism” is not a brand personality. If you’ve ever wondered how agencies actually write websites (or what a ghostwriter does for a brand), this one’s for you.

Ep 50: Website Red Flags: How to Know When It’s Time for a Rebuild

Be honest: when you pull up your website… do you cringe a little?
In this episode, hosts Liz Hunt and Chelsea Poppens dive into the real signs it might be time for a website rebuild, from outdated design and clunky tech to slow load times, poor user experience, and branding that no longer fits who you are.
You’ll learn:
The biggest red flags that scream “rebuild now”
When a refresh is enough (and when it’s not)
Why mobile, accessibility and site speed matter more than ever
How bad UX quietly kills your leads
When NOT to hire an agency (yes, really)
Plus… a pregnancy disclaimer, emotional support dogs, and a few unfiltered opinions on ugly websites. Enjoy!

Ep 49: Wired Differently: The Two-Step That Saves Every Web Project

In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Liz and Chelsea explain the phase where websites finally start taking shape: before the visuals, before the colors, before anyone gets distracted by “Can we make the buttons rounder?”
 
We break down the two-step magic of our process, built from years in the industry:
1. The Interactive Mood Board, where we mine for client taste, gather inspiration across industries, and intentionally include a few designs clients will absolutely hate.
2. The Wireframe Phase, aka the blueprint, skeleton, framework, bones… whatever you want to call it. It’s the non-sexy, extremely important step where content, flow, hierarchy, functionality, and UX all lock into place.
 
No colors, no fonts, no flourishes. Just pure structure, clarity, and strategic thinking.
 
We also discuss why this phase prevents project blowups, how it eliminates surprise edits later, and why clients understand their own website better when they can’t get distracted by the pretty stuff yet.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how the pros design websites that feel intentional, aligned, and on the mark, this is the episode for you.

Ep 48: Before You Design: Kickoff, Sitemaps, and Discovery

Episode 3 of our website series is the “not glamorous, insanely essential” one. Hosts Liz and Chelsea walk through the two meetings that make or break a web project before a single pixel gets designed: the Kickoff + Sitemap meeting and the Discovery session. 
First, the Kickoff & Sitemap: how we set expectations, timelines, roles, and guardrails... then map the site in a humble Google Sheet with pages, subpages, notes, and any special functionality. We share how we prep before the meeting (competitive analysis, industry language, common CTAs, user goals), the questions we bring (legal footers, integrations, hiring goals, etc.), and the rule that saves everyone’s sanity: don’t design until the structure and purpose are clear.
Then, Discovery: when a client’s needs are complex or unclear, we scope paid discovery to co-build high-fidelity wireframes and a true content plan. We cover the difference between basic vs. complex projects, where discovery sits in the contract, and how we keep scope honest (pages promised, templates vs. content volume, and what happens when someone requests “just add a blog” midstream).
Along the way, we hit:
Why showing up prepared establishes you as the leader (and dramatically improves client experience)
How to align business goals with user goals (customer = hero, not you)
The psychology behind navigation, CTAs, and clarity (and why “industry boilerplate” often fails)
Practical artifacts: sitemap doc, questions list, competitor notes, discovery wireframes
Scope control without drama: what’s in, what’s out, and how to price change requests
Key takeaway: Preparation is part of the product. If you nail the kickoff, define the sitemap, and run discovery with intention, then your design phase will (usually) fly. Skip it, and you’ll pay for it in confusion, rework, and scope creep.
If you like a little structure with your chaos, this one’s for you.

Ep 47: Pretty Doesn’t Pay the Bills: Building Websites That Do Their Job

Hold on to your butts! In this episode of The Agency Rocket Show, hosts Liz and Chelsea break down the anatomy of a great website—from the brand strategy that should inform every page, to the technical and UX details that separate a scroll-worthy site from one that makes users bail in three seconds. We'll cover everything from:
Why “pretty” isn’t a strategy (and how to stop designing for yourself instead of your users)
How to define your site’s real job: lead gen, storytelling, donor outreach, or credibility
Balancing SEO and humanity, so your site ranks and doesn't read like AI slop
The tech side nobody tells you about, like image weight, load time, and Google indexing
The unsung heroes: accessibility, site maintenance, and post-launch client support
Between jokes about aging, filters, and filler (literally and figuratively), we'll unpack what makes a web project actually succeed... and why it’s always worth doing it the right way, even when it’s not the easy way.So if you take nothing else from this episode: make it strategic, make it work... and then you can make it pretty. 

Ep 46: Web Series Kickoff: How Branding Translates Online

Liz and Chelsea are back for SEASON 4 of the Agency Rocket Show, and this time? We’re talking websites. In this kickoff episode, we cover the symbiosis between branding and websites, your site’s positioning as your business’s “front door,” and what makes the difference between a site that converts and one that sends people elsewhere. From branding to site maps, interactive mood boards to wireframes, we walk through our process step-by-step, including tips on managing client expectations, avoiding scope creep, and creating sites that are more than just a pretty face; our goal is to craft a beautiful website that is functional, strategic, AND built to last.
Whether you’re a creative, a business owner, or just tired of “hot garbage” websites, this episode gives you an inside look at how DayCloud Studios turns brand strategy into digital impact. 
🎧 Like, share, and follow for more insights on running a creative agency. 
Have a question? Reach out through our website or socials. We’d love to hear from you!

Ep 45: Stop Skipping Strategy: The Secret to Building Brands That Stick

In this episode of The Agency Rocket Show, hosts Liz and Chelsea break down one of the most misunderstood—but most essential—parts of branding: strategy.
Designers are taught how to make things look good. But when it comes to making brands mean something? That’s where strategy comes in.
We cover the core components of a brand strategy—mission, vision, values, audience, positioning, purpose, and even that sometimes-optional competitor analysis. From Discovery Workshops to target audience therapy, we talk about how strategy sets the foundation for every decision you make after—from logos to tone of voice to websites and truck wraps.
You'll hear how strategy helps clients grow and helps agencies charge more, plus real-world examples of when strategy maintained clarity over chaos. What IS the difference between Liquid Death and Fiji water? Spoiler warning: it's not just taste.
Whether you’re a designer trying to level up or a business owner who’s tired of blending in, this episode gives you the blueprint for doing brand strategy right.
🎧 Like, share, follow, and reach out if you want us to audit your brand. Just... maybe don’t say “slide into our DMs.” We’re too old for that now.

Ep 44: Emotional Branding: Why Facts Don’t Sell, But Stories Do

In this episode of The Agency Rocket Show, hosts Liz and Chelsea unpack one of branding’s biggest power moves: storytelling. 

People don’t remember bullet points—they remember how you made them feel. From emotional connection to long-term brand loyalty, we break down why a good story beats a good slogan every time.We talk about how to stop treating your brand story like a family history and start treating it like the lifestyle it is. You’ll hear us dig into examples like Nike, Patagonia, and Dove (yes, we have opinions), and how the best brands make their customer the hero—not themselves. Plus, we discuss common storytelling missteps, the difference between campaigns and brand stories, and why your logo is just the beginning of your ecosystem.If you’ve ever wondered how to build a brand people connect with—or why your “About” page isn’t cutting it—this one’s for you.🎧 Like, share, follow, and send us your favorite brand storytelling examples—we want to hear them!

Ep 43: Rebrand Breakdown: How to Know When it's Time for a Glow-Up

In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Liz Hunt and Chelsea Poppens are asking the question that keeps brand owners up at night: “Do I need a rebrand... or do I just want to cut my bangs and move to another country?” (Spoiler: maybe both.)
This episode is all about the rebranding era—from tiny tweaks and font facelifts to full-blown identity overhauls. We spill on the signs it’s time to evolve your brand (like when your logo gives ‘Microsoft Paint, circa 1997’), dish out cautionary tales (looking at you, Tropicana), and preach the gospel of doing it right the first time. Liz even confesses her own junior high track meet sabotage stories. (You’ll understand.)
Whether you’re craving a fresh vibe or just sick of looking like every other home contractor with a house-shaped logo, this episode is your permission slip to rethink your brand—boldly and strategically.