Mindful Creative Podcast: How Creative Businesses Thrive Through Authentic Relationships with Emily Cohen & Hunter Vargas (Casa Davka)
Released on May 12, 2025
In this insightful episode of the Mindful Creative Podcast, host Radim Malinic engages in a compelling conversation with Emily Cohen and Hunter Vargas of Casa Davka, a consultancy dedicated to helping creative businesses evolve and scale through authentic relationship-building strategies. Drawing from their extensive experience, Emily and Hunter share invaluable insights on steering creative enterprises towards sustainable growth by prioritizing genuine connections over traditional selling methods.
Introducing Casa Davka
Emily Cohen and Hunter Vargas introduce Casa Davka as business consultants specializing in assisting small to mid-sized creative teams, including advertising and marketing firms. Their expertise lies in refining business strategies, enhancing client and project management, and positioning businesses for long-term success ([03:14] Emily Cohen).
The Journey to Consultancy
Hunter explains his transition into consultancy, highlighting the influence of his entrepreneurial mother, a designer who instilled in him a passion for both creativity and business. This dual affinity led him to pursue business school and roles that bridged the creative and operational aspects of businesses ([04:05] Hunter Vargas).
Meanwhile, Emily shares her inspiration drawn from her father, an entrepreneurial spirit who owned bookstores and nurtured her artistic inclinations. Realizing a passion for managing studios rather than designing, Emily leveraged her industry connections to establish a consultancy that empowers creative professionals to thrive ([07:08] Emily Cohen).
Notable Quote:
“If you want to work with us. If you're not willing to change, it's not worth your money.”
— Hunter Vargas ([00:50])
Prioritizing Relationship Building Over Traditional Selling
A central theme of their discussion revolves around Casa Davka’s emphasis on relationship building as opposed to conventional selling techniques. Emily points out that while referrals are valuable, relying solely on them can inadvertently steer the business based on others' preferences rather than the firm's strategic goals ([14:50] Emily Cohen).
Hunter elaborates that their approach is not about enforcing a rigid formula but about understanding each client's unique motivations and business landscape. This personalized strategy fosters authentic connections that drive sustained growth ([10:12] Hunter Vargas).
Notable Quote:
“We don't need to convince people. They mostly come to us...”
— Emily Cohen ([12:18])
Effective Business Development Strategies
Emily and Hunter outline their consultancy's process, which involves:
- Defining the Niche: Identifying specific industries and vertical markets to target, ensuring the business stands out in a saturated market.
- Refining Services: Tailoring core services to meet the unique needs of their target clients.
- Uncovering Differentiators: Discovering what sets a business apart on a personal and professional level, beyond standard service offerings ([14:50] Emily Cohen).
They advocate for a patient approach to business development, emphasizing that building meaningful relationships typically takes time but results in substantial, long-term benefits.
Notable Quote:
“Business development takes two years from when you meet, when you meet with somebody to when they turn into a client.”
— Emily Cohen ([14:50])
Overcoming Common Challenges in Creative Businesses
The conversation delves into the frequent pitfalls creative businesses encounter, such as the temptation to implement quick fixes like redesigning websites instead of investing in relationship-oriented strategies. Hunter attributes this tendency to human nature's preference for immediate, tangible actions over more gradual but impactful approaches ([16:41] Hunter Vargas).
Handling Resistance to Change and Building Trust
Emily and Hunter discuss their vetting process to ensure clients are ready and willing to embrace change. This foundational alignment fosters a collaborative environment where honest feedback and mutual growth are prioritized. Hunter emphasizes the importance of clients being open to experimentation and ready to adapt, which is crucial for the success of their consultancy partnership ([39:44] Hunter Vargas).
Notable Quote:
“We don't get much pushback on that, to be really honest, because we also combine it with do you put time into it?”
— Emily Cohen ([42:11])
Maintaining Work-Life Balance
The duo shares personal strategies for balancing professional commitments with personal life. Emily highlights the intentional separation of work and personal time, ensuring that their relationship remains healthy despite running a business together. They prioritize non-work interactions to sustain their partnership and prevent business pressures from overwhelming their personal lives ([47:42] Hunter Vargas).
Continuous Learning and Inspiration
Emily and Hunter emphasize the importance of continuous learning and exposure to diverse perspectives. Hunter draws inspiration from his eclectic social circle, while Emily focuses on reading business literature and learning from other industries. Both agree that learning from clients also plays a significant role in their growth and ability to offer relevant advice ([50:43] Emily Cohen).
Resources and Community Building
Emily discusses their book, "Brutally Honest, No Bullshit Business Strategies to Evolve Your Creative Business," designed as a resource for creatives to enhance their business strategies independently. Although currently available only as an ebook, the book serves as a foundational tool in their consultancy’s approach to client engagement and relationship building ([45:04] Emily Cohen).
Notable Quote:
“Our clients see immediate results because now they know that the position statement sounds different.”
— Emily Cohen ([18:44])
Key Takeaways
- Authentic Relationships Foster Long-Term Growth: Prioritizing genuine connections over traditional selling leads to sustainable business success.
- Patience is Crucial in Business Development: Building meaningful relationships takes time but results in substantial returns.
- Embrace and Adapt to Change: Being open to evolving strategies is essential for continuous growth.
- Balance Professional and Personal Life: Deliberate separation and intentional time allocation are key to maintaining healthy work-life dynamics.
- Continuous Learning and Diverse Perspectives: Exposure to varied ideas and continual learning fuel innovation and resilience.
Notable Quote:
“If you have to convince them, that's going to be a much harder sell.”
— Emily Cohen ([11:36])
Conclusion
Emily Cohen and Hunter Vargas of Casa Davka present a refreshing perspective on business development for creative studios. Their emphasis on building authentic relationships, coupled with a patient and personalized approach, offers a robust framework for creative businesses seeking sustainable growth. By focusing on genuine connections and continuous learning, they pave the way for creative enterprises to thrive in a competitive landscape.
This detailed summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting the key discussions and insights shared by Emily Cohen and Hunter Vargas. It is structured with clear sections and includes notable quotes with appropriate timestamps, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.