The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with Johnathan Grzybowski
In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Jonathan Grabowski, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Penji, a leading on-demand design platform offering unlimited design services. Jonathan shares how Penji scaled from a small agency to a 500-person organization by centering its approach on customer experience, empathy in business, and a highly streamlined design process.
We explored the critical role human connection plays in delivering standout creative services and how businesses can blend technology, like AI in design, with genuine human interaction to create lasting brand value. Whether you’re trying to build a more strategic brand identity, improve visual branding, or just make smarter hires, Jonathan’s insights are a blueprint for real, human-centric business growth.
Key Takeaways:
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Empathy Drives Loyalty: Great design isn’t just visual—it’s emotional. Businesses that prioritize empathy and connection in their creative workflow deliver more impactful results.
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Systematized Creativity Wins: Scaling graphic design services without sacrificing quality means systematizing processes while maintaining personal client touchpoints.
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Fire Clients to Grow: Jonathan argues that knowing when to part ways with clients is a critical part of healthy marketing strategy and long-term growth.
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AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement: While Penji leverages AI in design to improve speed and efficiency, the company thrives on the human elements—context, strategy, and empathy—that AI can’t replicate.
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Design With a Purpose: Whether it’s developing a brand identity or executing one-off projects, businesses should approach design as a strategic asset, not a reactive task.
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Customer Experience Is a Differentiator: Penji’s edge comes from embedding empathy and personalized communication in every client interaction.
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Hiring Designers Thoughtfully: Instead of focusing only on technical skills, look for team members who understand business goals, communication, and collaboration.
Chapters:
- 00:09 Introducing Johnathan Grzybowski
- 01:53 The Origin of Penji
- 05:46 How to Establish a Brand Identity
- 08:25 The Human Element of Penji
- 09:47 Penji Success Stories
- 14:13 How AI Affects the Design Workflow
