What makes a boutique creative staffing agency different from a big, generic recruiter? In this episode of Marketing by Design, Felicia Wagner from Portfolio Creative explains how deep discovery, storytelling, and domain fluency lead to better matches for creatives and hiring managers. We also get real about career inflection points, freelancing vs. full-time, and how to navigate change without losing who you are.

Episode Overview

• What Portfolio Creative does—and why their quality-over-quantity model wins
  
• How domain fluency (design, marketing, media) helps them vet beyond the resume
  
• The candidate write-up: a recruiter-authored story that travels with your resume
  
• How to decide between freelance/independent vs. full-time/W-2 (with a low-risk way to “dip a toe”)
  
• The traits hiring managers prize now: flexibility, self-awareness, team sense, and future focus
  
• Why authenticity in your voice, network, and expectations attracts the right opportunities
  

Key Takeaways

• Specialization matters. Boutique creative/marketing recruiters speak the language—so your work isn’t lost in translation.
  
• Tell the story, not just the skills. Portfolio Creative sends a custom write-up with your samples to highlight fit and context.
  
• You don’t need to become someone else. Stay authentic; the right role fits you and your growth goals.
  
• Freelance ≠ “just the work.” It’s also taxes, ops, pricing, and pipeline. A W-2 path via a staffing partner can de-risk the jump.
  
• Be flexible and future-facing. Curiosity, adaptability, and team sense show up in top performers—loud or quiet.
  

Episode Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why the show evolved from The Creative Journal → Marketing by Design
  
• 02:18 – Felicia’s path: nonprofit → HR master’s → restaurant leadership → Portfolio Creative
  
• 06:44 – What Portfolio Creative actually does (and who they serve)
  
• 07:38 – Boutique advantage: quality > quantity candidate submissions
  
• 08:50 – Creative/marketing niche expertise vs. broad recruiters
  
• 09:48 – Vetting beyond the resume: trying tools, learning workflows, speaking the craft
  
• 10:44 – The candidate write-up that accompanies your resume & samples
  
• 11:20 – The differentiator: deep conversations at career inflection points
  
• 12:23 – “Ideal candidate” isn’t one persona—fit is context + culture + stage
  
• 13:18 – Traits that travel: flexibility, growth mindset, team awareness
  
• 15:42 – Don’t force the round peg—authenticity attracts the right roles
  
• 16:08 – Networking, imposter syndrome, and showing up as yourself
  
• 19:09 – Freelance or full-time? Questions to ask (and the W-2 bridge)
  
• 21:53 – Pros/cons: stability vs. autonomy—and how to test safely
  
• 22:21 – Sometimes you don’t need answers—just the right questions
  
• 23:15 – How to get in touch with Portfolio Creative
  

Who Should Read/Listen

• Creatives & marketers in Columbus (and beyond) exploring new roles
  
• Hiring managers who need vetted talent that fits their stack and culture
  
• Freelancers considering W-2 engagements to stabilize income without losing flexibility
  
• Career-switchers navigating identity, growth, and the right next step
  

Guest Links

• Portfolio Creative (Website): https://www.portfoliocreative.com/
  
• Felicia Wagner (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicialwagner/