105: Creativity, On-Brand, On-Demand with Johnathan Grzybowski

Is a Creative Subscription Service the Secret to Scaling Without Hiring In-House Designers?

Jonathan Grzybowski built Penji out of necessity—struggling to find reliable design talent, he co-founded a creative subscription service that removes the hassle of hiring in-house. Now, as CMO, he helps businesses access high-quality design work on demand. What began as a personal challenge has evolved into a thriving company serving thousands of clients and securing a spot on the Inc. 5000 list.

In this episode of the Marketing Umbrella Podcast, Jonathan shares the realities of bootstrapping a business, why clear communication matters, and how AI is changing the creative industry. He also shares what he’s learned about leadership, sales, and creating a great customer experience. His advice is real, practical, and comes from years of firsthand experience.

Beyond Penji, Jonathan is also the host of the Dear Dads podcast, where he opens up about his journey as a new father. His approach to business and life is simple: “Help those who help others.”

Penji is making it easier than ever for businesses to get great design work. Whether you’re a marketing agency or a business owner who needs consistent creative support, Penji offers a seamless way to get high-quality design without the headaches of hiring.

Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: 

• Using a creative subscription service like Penji eliminates the hassle of hiring and managing in-house design teams, saving businesses time and costs.
• Providing detailed project briefs leads to faster turnaround times, minimizes revisions, and improves overall efficiency.
• Penji’s structured approach ensures businesses receive high-quality creative work without the inconsistencies of freelance marketplaces.
• AI speeds up creative workflows, but human oversight is essential to maintain brand consistency and originality.
• Prioritizing customer experience through proactive communication and personalized service strengthens client retention and satisfaction.
• A well-structured outsourcing strategy helps businesses manage fluctuating workloads without the risk of overstaffing or underutilization.
• Bootstrapped businesses thrive when solving large-scale problems—passion alone fades, but tackling meaningful challenges sustains motivation long-term.
• Deadlines matter—but flexibility is key in identifying self-motivated team members and ensuring high-quality work.
• Cost-cutting with AI isn’t always cost-effective—businesses may save upfront but lose time refining subpar results.
• Authenticity over hype—lasting success comes from solving real problems, not just marketing an illusion of success.

As a closing thought, "The best type of workers are the ones who don’t need constant deadlines—they get things done because they’re self-motivated”

Listen to the full conversation here:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@frintmedia
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-umbrella-podcast/id1564111428
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoiR10nazd9zVIStLkcjk

 

Connect with Jonathan:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grzybowskij/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji 
• Penji: https://penji.co/ 
• Free Ideas: https://getfreeideas.com/
• Free Ideas YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT_JiCK7DSxLq-5k7KkvF9w
• Grzybowski YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBybUCUG32o2sDfZQv4-cPg

 

 

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To learn more about Umbrella and to connect with CEO Itamar Shafir, go to ⁠https://umbrellaus.com