Episode 13

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Published on:

1st Apr 2025

Designing Boundaries: Building a Business You Love Without Burning Out with Diane Whiddon

In this episode of Empowered by AI: The SLAI Effect, host Michelle Muncy-Silva sits down with web designer, strategist, and creative boundary-setter Diane Whiddon to talk about what it really takes to run a business that respects your energy and reflects your values. With over 17 years of experience helping creatives and coaches grow businesses they love, Diane brings clarity, candor, and actionable insights.

You’ll hear how she transitioned from burnout to balance, why your website should be your hardest-working team member, and how she's using AI (including Claude!) to scale sustainably without compromising her creativity.


This one’s for anyone who wants to lead with intention, work with ease, and protect their time like the precious resource it is.


⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:

[00:00] Welcome & Introduction


Meet Diane Whiddon, creative entrepreneur, strategist, and web designer with a storyteller’s heart.

[01:00] From Novelist to Designer


Diane shares her journey from writing novels to building a thriving web design business.

[03:00] Messaging Before Design


Why nailing your website copy is more important than picking the prettiest template.

[05:00] Websites That Pull Their Weight


Turning your site into your best employee—complete with systems and automation.

[07:00] Why Squarespace Still Wins


Diane’s favorite platform for ease, adaptability, and long-term control.

[08:30] How Automation Saves Time and Sanity


Creating boundaries using forms, FAQs, and AI to eliminate constant email tag.

[10:30] The $20K Rewrite


A story about how better messaging led to massive client growth—without a redesign.

[12:00] Redefining “Success” After Burnout


Diane opens up about her turning point and why she rebuilt her business from the inside out.

[14:00] No Calls, No Guilt


Rethinking what “good service” really means when you're protecting your bandwidth.

[16:00] Introducing the Designing Boundaries Membership


Helping designers communicate clearly, set expectations, and navigate tricky client conversations.

[19:00] AI as Creative Sidekick


Diane’s go-to tools and how she uses Claude to brainstorm offers and create content fast.

[21:30] Building a Freebie with Claude


How she uses AI to co-develop resources that meet client needs in minutes.

[24:00] The Fifth Grader Teaching the Fourth Grader


Why perfection isn’t required to be impactful—and why it’s okay to lead while still learning.

[28:30] What’s Next: Scaling Authentically


Diane shares her future vision, including how to grow without giving up what matters most.

[32:00] Final Thoughts & Free Resource


This conversation is a reminder that your business should work for you—not the other way around. Diane Whiddon brings honesty, experience, and a whole lot of wisdom for anyone who’s ever felt drained by their own dream. Her approach to boundaries, AI, and redefining hustle will leave you thinking differently about how you show up in your business—and how to protect your joy in the process.

You can connect with Diane on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClVjBFbXIblOIq5T-npyIIA

As well as her website https://swayrisecreative.com/

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and grab free resources once you sign up at https://innovativeaistudio.com/podcast/

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About the Podcast

Empowered by AI
Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Way
Welcome to Empowered by AI, where women entrepreneurs harness the power of AI to transform their businesses, break new ground, and lead confidently. Hosted by Michelle Muncy-Silva, founder of Innovation AI Studios, this podcast is your go-to resource for stories, strategies, and tools that help women combine creativity with cutting-edge technology to build the brands of tomorrow.
In each episode, we sit down with trailblazing women who are not just embracing AI—they’re unapologetically ensuring a place at the table in leveraging AI to redefine their industries, spark innovation, and elevate their businesses. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, Empowered by AI delivers real talk and actionable insights from women who have been where you are, tackled the challenges, and demanded that AI be a tool for women’s progress.
This isn’t just a tech podcast—it’s a platform for women looking for like-minded collaboration and support to build standout brands, gain clarity on how AI serves their strategy, and discover the tools to take their businesses to the next level. We dive deep into topics like AI-enhanced storytelling, using AI to streamline and scale, and the future of creativity in a world where technology is rewriting the rules.
Join us for:
Conversations with women leaders at the forefront of AI and entrepreneurship.
Practical advice on how to integrate AI into your business, even if you’re not a tech expert.
The latest AI tools and resources you can use to build a brand that stands out.
Empowering stories from women who are balancing the demands of running a business with navigating the world of AI.
Each episode is packed with actionable takeaways that you can put into practice right away, whether you’re automating your workflows, enhancing your visual branding, or discovering the next big AI tool that will give your business a competitive edge.
We’ll talk about:
How AI and creativity collide to drive innovation.
The real-life stories of women paving the way in AI, who prove that you don’t need a tech background to master the future.
How AI can help you build a strong, memorable brand.
The AI tools every entrepreneur should have in their toolkit.
The power of mentorship, community, and women supporting women in the AI space.
Our goal? To empower you with the knowledge and tools to embrace AI confidently—no tech degree required—and inspire you with the voices of women who are actively participating in shaping the future of AI - all so we can collaboratively create AI-driven solutions that empower you to transform your business into something that not only thrives but leads the way in your industry.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Tune in, get inspired, and learn how to use AI to amplify your creativity, streamline your processes, and build a brand that’s not just innovative, but unstoppable.
And every episode ends with the same question to our amazing guests: What’s next?
Empowered by AI is more than just a podcast—it’s your community, your resource, and your weekly dose of inspiration to become a leader in the future of entrepreneurship.
Hit subscribe, and let’s transform your business together!

About your host

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Michelle Muncy-Silva