I’m Tom Prior, a UK-based designer who's made a living from it for 20 years, with eight of those as a freelancer.

I’ve made mistakes. Chased the wrong things. Undercharged. Overbooked. But I’ve also come to enjoy the business side. Found a rhythm. Built a practice that’s sustainable, profitable — and actually suits my life.

That didn’t come from a course or some magic formula. It came from time. Conversations. Quiet nudges in the right direction.

But those kinds of spaces? They can be hard to find. Especially here.

Because freelancing in the UK is its own thing. The tax quirks. The tone. The humour. The business culture. The awkwardness around self-promotion.

It’s not better or worse, just culturally specific. Often, what bubbles up online doesn’t feel made for us. It leans loud. High-growth. Big-hustle. And while I respect that energy, it’s just… not where I’m at anymore. And I know I’m not the only one.

This is for UK freelance designers who want to build something steady. Not slower, but more intentional. With fewer fireworks. And more focus.

I’ve found the confidence to build this after years of running other communities. I’m a coach and the community lead at the d.MBA Academy, where I host live calls and help designers across the world think more clearly about business, purpose, and progress. Before that, I co-ran UX Camp Brighton: a grassroots, affordable design event that's grown into something genuinely loved.

I’ve learned how to create spaces that feel warm, useful, and human. Now I'm building the one I wish I’d had all along.

If that sounds like your kind of thing, join the newsletter. You’ll be the first to hear when we quietly open the doors.