Like many creatives, I love spending it – but I’ve often shied away from earning it.
Not because I don’t want to work hard. I’ve worked in fintech, led design in one of South Africa’s biggest banks, and helped stakeholders see the ROI in design. I understand the business side of what we do.
But I’ve never been driven by money.
I have friends who obsess over stocks, crypto, global markets. I have others who love building businesses to make money. I admire them – but it’s not what gets me out of bed in the morning.
What drives me is the work. Great teams. Great problems. The freedom to do things well and do them my way.
Yes, I’ll always negotiate to be paid fairly. I believe every creative should. And just because I say I’m not driven by money doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to be paid my worth.
In fact, one of the things I hate seeing is companies trying to offer designers just enough to stay. Asking for payslips, negotiating a minor increase, or offering a last-minute raise only once someone decides to leave.
When I’ve hired designers, I try to pay them as much as I possibly can within budget. No games. No tests. No “let’s see what we can get away with.”
Because here’s what I believe:
👉 If you take the stress of money away from creatives
👉 If you show them they’re valued from day one
👉 If you give them the space and support to do their best work
…they will thrive. They’ll be loyal. You won’t have to ask them to go above and beyond — they’ll already be doing it, because they care.
Not because of a bonus. But because they feel seen. Respected. Backed.
I don’t need the biggest pay cheque in the room.
I just need the trust, the challenge, and the opportunity to make something great.
And I think I’m not alone in that.