![Ted Leonhardt](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fill:96:96/1*NStiE4khUwO8UbIdjQrQQQ.jpeg)
I started as an illustrator but my professional career quickly moved into graphic design. With a partner, I built and ultimately sold a brand design agency in Seattle. After the sale, I worked as a creative director for a London based firm and later helped investors acquire creative businesses in the US, UK, and EU.
I've always been interested in helping creatives become more successful negotiators. I skill that I've struggled with myself. My turn to writing began with a series of stories about creatives negotiating salaries, and fees for services. My book, Nail It: Stories for Designers on Negotiating with Confidence is a collection of those early stories.
Today I help creatives deal with management, negotiation, and, personal issues. My wife Robin and our two cats Phinney and Greta moved to Bellingham in August of 2021. Robin and I begin every morning writing and comparing notes on our latest before our workday begins.