Introduction
Starting a freelance graphic design business can be challenging, but with the right mindset and systems, scaling to six figures is possible. In this interview, we talk with Brian Benitez, an American entrepreneur living in Japan, who generated $100,000 in just six months by leveraging social media management and design services. Brian shares his journey from a high school dropout to running a successful studio, NVGT.JP, and landing major clients like the New York Times.
Founder Success Story QnA
Hello Brian, could you please give an introduction about yourself?
Sure. My name is Brian. I am an American living in Japan. I run a studio online where we focus on design and now social media management as well. We help companies grow new revenue streams through optimized design and social media.
How did moving to Japan come about and how long ago did you move?
Well, I moved here from San Francisco originally for a company called Bitcoin.com. I moved out here and they are headquartered out here. It was around COVID time. I didn’t like working for somebody else and I wanted to break free of that. I actually found The Real World right around then. It was a crazy pivotal moment in my life because my best friend had died just this past year in May. It hit me that I’m 35 and his life is now over. I asked myself how I am going to spend my life. I found The Real World at the same time and it answered so many of those questions for me.
What was the impact of The Real World on your mindset and life?
I attribute all my success to The Real World. The business and skills I learned there are unparalleled. The whole world is overcomplicating everything. The most powerful thing has been mindset—discipline, being a good person, taking care of yourself, and always striving to win. It gave me clarity on my purpose. One of the biggest things was having a sense of God in my life from The Real World, which powered everything. It gave me purpose, and that is the most valuable thing I’ve got out of this, regardless of the money increase.
Which campuses did you go through and what were the most beneficial lessons?
I jumped right into the social media and client acquisition campus. That changed everything. I love Professor Moneyback, Dylan Madden. It all started with the Moneybag Mindset course. I have a background in design, but I had no structure. I attribute my success to the system, structure, and mindset. One specific exercise was the Alter Ego Theory—imagining an incrementally better version of yourself. It all started with 100 push-ups a day to build discipline. That discipline led to a daily checklist, drinking four liters of water, and sticking to a routine regardless of my location.
Where did the idea for your business come about and how did you reach out to clients?
I have been designing for 15 years and freelancing, but I always hit a ceiling. Once I joined The Real World, it was the first time I started doing outreach and putting together a system. I started implementing the psychology behind outreach and relationship building. I stopped overthinking and started taking action. I built the system piece by piece. Now I have a team of four handling outreach and my personal brand.
How many clients did you land on average after starting the outreach?
Within the first two or three months, it went from around seven a month to 30 or so. It really took off because of the fundamentals of outreach and the system I built.
If you were to give a number for how much The Real World contributed to your income, what would it be?
It has been about six months since I joined, and it has probably contributed around $100,000.
What do you do with time zone issues with your clients in Japan?
It comes down to how bad you want it. I stay up. I get on the call if I want the customer. I work with people on the east coast, west coast, and the UK. Sometimes it involves late nights, like a recurring call at 10:30 p.m., but I am working towards something, not just sitting at a desk.
What are your plans and goals for the short, medium, and long term?
I want people to be able to depend on me. I want to provide for my family and my team. The world is a grind and a rat race for many, and I want to be someone who can say “I got you.” I don’t obsess about money, big houses, or cars. My goal is to provide for the people around me and leave a positive footprint. Changing lives around me is powerful stuff.
How is living in Japan compared to the US?
It is incredible. The West is a crazy, degenerate society, whereas Japan is conservative and polite. I appreciate the value they put on their society and culture. Even though there is subtle racism toward foreigners sometimes, I respect that they protect their culture. The food is delicious and everybody is extremely polite.
What do you say to people who look at The Real World and think they might get scammed for $50?
I was that person. I typed my card in and didn’t hit enter for a day. Eventually, I thought it’s only $50, worst case scenario I check it out. Once I figured out what was inside, the landing page did it no justice. It is 100% legit. Even accounts like ballerbusters that expose scams refuse to expose Andrew Tate because there is zero scam going on. It brings back masculinity and positivity for $50 a month.
How can people find out more about you or contact you?
You can find the studio online at NVGT.JP. I am Brian Benitez on Instagram. If you want to give me a follow, say you found me here and I’ll say what’s up back.
Any final updates on your business?
One of our latest clients is the New York Times, and it is 100% due to The Real World.
Brian Benitez Business Stats
Brian has successfully scaled his freelance graphic design business into a full studio operation. By focusing on discipline and systematic client acquisition, he has achieved impressive financial results in a short period.
- Revenue generated in 6 months: $100,000
- Client growth: From 7/month to 30+/month
- Team size: 4 employees
- Notable Client: New York Times
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Time to $100k | 6 Months |
| Client Rate | 30+ per month |
| Location | Japan (Originally USA) |
| Business Type | Design & Social Media Studio |
Brian Benitez Method
Brian achieved success by shifting his mindset and implementing a rigorous daily routine. His method focuses on discipline, self-improvement, and systematic outreach to build a freelance graphic design business.
- Adopted the Alter Ego: Created a disciplined version of himself to overcome procrastination.
- Daily Discipline: Started with 100 push-ups a day to build willpower.
- Structured Outreach: Implemented a client acquisition system instead of random freelancing.
- Relationship Building: Focused on the psychology of connection in sales.
- Delegation: Built a team to handle outreach and branding.
Brian Benitez Tools
To manage his operations and grow his freelance graphic design business, Brian utilizes a specific set of tools and platforms for learning, management, and health.
- The Real World: Educational platform for mindset and business strategy.
- Daily Checklist: Custom system to track habits like water intake and exercise.
- Instagram: Used for personal branding and client connection.
- NVGT.JP: His studio website for showcasing services.
- Design Software: Tools for creating graphics and managing client projects.
Key Notes
Brian’s story highlights the importance of mindset over technical skills. While he had design experience, it was the structural and psychological changes that enabled his rapid growth.
- Mindset and discipline are the foundation of business success.
- Systems and checklists prevent burnout and ensure consistency.
- Outreach is a skill that can be learned and scaled.
- Having a purpose greater than money drives long-term motivation.
- Cultural environments, like Japan, can influence lifestyle and focus.
Get Started in Just 5 Steps
You can replicate Brian’s success in building a freelance graphic design business by following these actionable steps.
- Find Your Purpose: Identify why you want to succeed beyond just making money.
- Build Discipline: Start a daily physical challenge like push-ups to train your mind.
- Learn Outreach: Study the psychology of client acquisition and send cold messages.
- Create Systems: Develop checklists and processes for your daily work.
- Scale with Team: Hire help for outreach and branding as your client base grows.
Conclusion
Brian Benitez’s journey from a freelancer stuck at a ceiling to running a $100k/6-month studio demonstrates the power of the right environment and mindset. By joining The Real World, adopting the alter ego theory, and relentlessly pursuing client acquisition, anyone can build a profitable freelance graphic design business. His story serves as an inspiration to take action, build systems, and focus on leaving a positive impact on the world.