In this episode of Looks Good From Here, Nick interviews Michael Brodzik, a multifaceted designer and educator, who shares his journey of balancing a full-time teaching job with various creative side projects. They discuss the evolution of web design, particularly with Squarespace, and how Michael manages his time and energy to avoid burnout. The conversation also touches on the importance of community, collaboration, and the upcoming Qube Awards, which aim to recognize outstanding Squarespace designs. Michael emphasizes the significance of creativity, passion, and the desire to inspire others in the design community. Watch the video or continue reading below.

We sat down with Michael Brodzik—sixth-grade math teacher, designer, course creator, SquareKicker template creator, and possibly the most organized creative entrepreneur you'll ever meet.

Between his full-time teaching job, his design agency Vative Creative, creating templates for the SquareKicker Template Store, and launching the innovative Qube Awards, Michael has cracked the code on building multiple revenue streams without burning out. Here's what you can learn from his approach to creative entrepreneurship.

From Artist to Web Designer: Finding Your Path

Michael's journey into web design started where many creative stories begin—with a passion project that needed a platform. As a painter wanting to get his artwork into galleries, he discovered that every gallery required a professional website. When quotes came back at $20,000-$30,000, Michael knew he had to find another way.

"I ended up saving for my first Mac and learned iWeb, then Dreamweaver," Michael explains. "When Squarespace came out, their marketing was for me—the artists, the photographers, the creatives. I felt like with a Mac and a Squarespace website, I was the greatest artist in the entire world."

That first website led to his uncle needing a site, then a friend's business, then word-of-mouth referrals that built his entire design business. The lesson? Sometimes the best business opportunities come from solving your own problems first.

The Structure Behind Creative Freedom

Here's what might surprise you about Michael's approach: despite having multiple creative projects, he's incredibly structured. His week looks like this:

Monday-Tuesday: Client website work and maintenance plans
Wednesday: SEO work and strategy
Thursday: Tying up loose ends and business operations
Friday-Sunday: Creative projects, course development, and personal pursuits

"I am very much a go-with-the-flow person," Michael admits. "But I had to learn to structure it because that's the only way I could fit everything in. Otherwise, I would never get to do anything."

This structure isn't about limiting creativity—it's about creating space for it to flourish.

The Secret to Avoiding Burnout

When asked about managing burnout, Michael's answer might surprise you: "I've never felt burnout ever. Not one time." His secret? Using passion projects as rewards for completing necessary work.

"If I have to build a website for a client that I might not love but it's going to pay a bill, I put that into my reward bucket. That means I can go build a template where nobody is telling me what to do and I can be fully creative."

This approach transforms potentially draining work into fuel for creative expression. Every client project becomes an investment in the freedom to pursue passion projects.

Templates as Creative Outlets

As one of SquareKicker's template creators, Michael has found a unique way to combine business strategy with creative exploration. "I get to design the website for me," he explains. "If you look at my templates, they're all different. None of them look like any of the other ones."

Each template becomes an opportunity to learn something new, whether it's mastering motion graphics, experimenting with horizontal scrolling effects, or pushing the boundaries of what's possible with Squarespace design. The result? Templates that stand out in the marketplace while constantly advancing his skills.

Featured

Studio 510

Aperture

Artidote Brewing

Knead

Mind

Nixin

Building Community Through the Qube Awards

Michael's latest project, the Qube Awards, addresses a gap he noticed in the Squarespace community. "There's this weird stigma around Squarespace websites that they're not as good or they look a certain way," he observes. "But Squarespace is so powerful—you can make incredible websites."

The Qube Awards aim to celebrate exceptional Squarespace design while giving designers recognition for their craft. With SquareKicker as the title sponsor and a rotating jury of respected community members, the awards create a platform for showcasing what's truly possible with thoughtful design.

“Squarespace is so powerful—you can make incredible websites.”

Key Takeaways for Creative Entrepreneurs

Michael's approach offers several actionable insights for anyone building a creative business:

Structure enables freedom: Having a clear weekly schedule doesn't limit creativity—it protects time for creative work by ensuring business tasks get handled efficiently.

Passion projects prevent burnout: Balance necessary work with projects that truly excite you. Let one fuel the other rather than seeing them as competing priorities.

Community amplifies success: Whether it's joining design communities, sharing your design work with others, or engaging with other designers’ creative endeavors, participating in your professional community creates opportunities and connections.

Start where you are: Michael began by solving his own website problem. You don't need to have everything figured out before you start—just take the next logical step.

Quality over quantity: Rather than rushing through projects, focus on creating work that challenges you and showcases your growth as a designer.

Michael Brodzik on Building a Career That Fits Your Life