RelationshipOps of the Week #24.
Digital Design Studio
|
Apr 3, 2026
“One of the biggest projects I’ve worked on came from a completely informal conversation with my best friend.”
“One of the biggest projects I’ve worked on came from a completely informal conversation with my best friend.”
Krishna Solanki.
This week’s spotlight is on Krishna Solanki, Founder and Creative Director of Krishna Solanki Designs… a boutique studio known for bringing warmth, clarity, and intention to digital brand experiences on Squarespace.
Krishna isn’t just a designer…
She’s a trusted partner to founders, teams, and purpose-led brands looking to evolve their visual identity without losing the heart of what they do. With a background in website design and over 20 years of hands-on digital work, she’s carved out a niche as both a Squarespace expert and a collaborator who genuinely listens.
Her studio may be small by design (and mighty), but her client relationships are anything but short-term. Krishna’s approach centers on human connection. And that’s exactly what makes her a fit for this series… one honest conversation with a friend led to a long-term partnership that continues to grow because of the trust and consistency.
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a thriving creative practice without chasing leads or cold outreach, Krishna’s got the blueprint.
Let’s dive in.
No Pitch, Just Trust.
Leonard Chin: What’s an instance when a relationship led to a big win or a really great opportunity for your business?
Krishna Solanki:
“One of the biggest projects I’ve worked on came from a completely informal conversation with my best friend.
We were catching up and chatting about work, and she mentioned a challenge the company she was working for at the time was facing with their visual identity and website. There was no pitch and no agenda – just a genuine conversation. She offered to make an introduction with the Founders' PA because she trusted how I work and how I show up for clients.
That single conversation turned into a significant project. We’re now their design partner of choice, supporting a full visual refresh, a new Squarespace website, and ongoing design and development needs across the business. It’s become a long-term relationship rather than a one-off piece of work.
The real win wasn’t just the size of the project. It was the trust that sat behind it. That trust opened the door, and consistent delivery is what’s kept it open.”
Intentional, Not Transactional.
Leonard Chin: What's your daily/weekly routine for maintaining relationships that help your business?
Krishna Solanki:
“I keep things very human and intentional. I check in with past clients and collaborators – not to sell, but to see how things are going or to share something useful that made me think of them. I also try to show up consistently on social media, so I stay visible and familiar, without forcing it.
I’m organised with follow-ups, but I don’t over-systemise relationships. If it starts to feel transactional, I know I’m doing it wrong.”
Reputations Travel.
Leonard Chin: What tips would you give to your younger self around relationships and how they impact business?
Krishna Solanki:
“I’d remind myself that relationships matter far more than any single win. How you treat people sticks. Reputations travel. And trust, once earned or broken, tends to follow you. So being respectful, even when there’s nothing to gain and being consistent, even when a project feels small, is important. Careers shift, and businesses evolve, but relationships are the constant. If you look after them, they look after you.”
Key Takeaways.
We’re glad to have Krishna Solanki with us on this week’s series, but if anything, here are the few key takeaways:
Real wins start casually. A simple conversation with a friend turned into a major project and long-term design partnership… all rooted in trust.
Show up with care. Krishna checks in without a script, shares value, and avoids turning relationships into “systems.”
Respect compounds. Being consistent and respectful, especially on small projects, is what keeps opportunities flowing over the long haul.
That’s all for this week.
If you're open to sharing your experiences in one of our future articles… or know of someone who is, feel free to drop me an email here.
Author.
Leonard Chin
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Krishna Solanki.
This week’s spotlight is on Krishna Solanki, Founder and Creative Director of Krishna Solanki Designs… a boutique studio known for bringing warmth, clarity, and intention to digital brand experiences on Squarespace.
Krishna isn’t just a designer…
She’s a trusted partner to founders, teams, and purpose-led brands looking to evolve their visual identity without losing the heart of what they do. With a background in website design and over 20 years of hands-on digital work, she’s carved out a niche as both a Squarespace expert and a collaborator who genuinely listens.
Her studio may be small by design (and mighty), but her client relationships are anything but short-term. Krishna’s approach centers on human connection. And that’s exactly what makes her a fit for this series… one honest conversation with a friend led to a long-term partnership that continues to grow because of the trust and consistency.
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a thriving creative practice without chasing leads or cold outreach, Krishna’s got the blueprint.
Let’s dive in.
No Pitch, Just Trust.
Leonard Chin: What’s an instance when a relationship led to a big win or a really great opportunity for your business?
Krishna Solanki:
“One of the biggest projects I’ve worked on came from a completely informal conversation with my best friend.
We were catching up and chatting about work, and she mentioned a challenge the company she was working for at the time was facing with their visual identity and website. There was no pitch and no agenda – just a genuine conversation. She offered to make an introduction with the Founders' PA because she trusted how I work and how I show up for clients.
That single conversation turned into a significant project. We’re now their design partner of choice, supporting a full visual refresh, a new Squarespace website, and ongoing design and development needs across the business. It’s become a long-term relationship rather than a one-off piece of work.
The real win wasn’t just the size of the project. It was the trust that sat behind it. That trust opened the door, and consistent delivery is what’s kept it open.”
Intentional, Not Transactional.
Leonard Chin: What's your daily/weekly routine for maintaining relationships that help your business?
Krishna Solanki:
“I keep things very human and intentional. I check in with past clients and collaborators – not to sell, but to see how things are going or to share something useful that made me think of them. I also try to show up consistently on social media, so I stay visible and familiar, without forcing it.
I’m organised with follow-ups, but I don’t over-systemise relationships. If it starts to feel transactional, I know I’m doing it wrong.”
Reputations Travel.
Leonard Chin: What tips would you give to your younger self around relationships and how they impact business?
Krishna Solanki:
“I’d remind myself that relationships matter far more than any single win. How you treat people sticks. Reputations travel. And trust, once earned or broken, tends to follow you. So being respectful, even when there’s nothing to gain and being consistent, even when a project feels small, is important. Careers shift, and businesses evolve, but relationships are the constant. If you look after them, they look after you.”
Key Takeaways.
We’re glad to have Krishna Solanki with us on this week’s series, but if anything, here are the few key takeaways:
Real wins start casually. A simple conversation with a friend turned into a major project and long-term design partnership… all rooted in trust.
Show up with care. Krishna checks in without a script, shares value, and avoids turning relationships into “systems.”
Respect compounds. Being consistent and respectful, especially on small projects, is what keeps opportunities flowing over the long haul.
That’s all for this week.
If you're open to sharing your experiences in one of our future articles… or know of someone who is, feel free to drop me an email here.
Author.
Leonard Chin
Follow me on LinkedIn.