Rocky Rourke proves that you don’t need employees, investors, or a perfect plan to build a successful design studio. Just creativity, guts, and a little weirdness.

In this Live from Creative South Episode of The Angry Designer Podcast, Rocky shares how he turned his imaginary friend into a brand, his freelance hustle into a thriving agency, and his ADHD into a creative superpower.

From losing clients overnight to using ChatGPT as a fake client, Rocky’s story is proof that being different isn’t a disadvantage, it’s your unfair advantage.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
– How to turn freelance chaos into a real business without losing freedom
– Why personal projects often lead to more revenue than client work
– How to use AI tools like ChatGPT to simulate clients and sharpen your design skills
– How designers with ADHD can channel hyperfocus into creativity and success

Rocky is the founder of Blue Cyclops, a fully freelance-run creative studio specializing in branding, web, and illustration. He’s worked with creatives across the globe, building a business model that gives designers flexibility, growth, and control proving that freelancers can win.