Chris Do

The Futur

I help people realize their value and communicate it to others.

Founder, CEO

VidCon

Keynote Speaker

AAF Orange County

Unbland Yourself
Keynote at the Rivian Theater

SXSW

B2B Creators—The Creator Economy's Dark Horse

Panelist

Fast Company

Creativity Unbound: How Brands and Creators Are Leveling Up With AI

1 Billion Followers Summit

Close More. Sell Less. Keynote
Conversational Selling 1/2 day workshop

Vietcetera Media

Confessions of a Recovering Graphic Designer

Goldzone Leadership Center

Personal Branding 1/2 day workshop
Conversational Selling 2 day workshop
Private Mastermind 1/2 day

Public Speaker

Elevate Conference

Keynote Speaker "Personal Branding Roadmap"

Sharjah FDI Office - Invest in Sharjah

Keynote presentation on main stage: Intelligent Identities: AI in Corporate Branding

Loud Introvert with a big mission: Teach 1B people how to make a living doing what they love. I run Business Bootcamp/Futur Pro Community.

As the Founder and CEO of The Futur, I have over 27 years of experience in brand design, strategy, and consultancy, working with clients such as Microsoft, Sony, Nike, and Starbucks. I am passionate about helping people realize their value and communicate it to others, whether through design, content, education, or coaching.

I am also a sought-after public speaker and mentor, delivering keynote speeches, workshops, and courses at various events, conferences, and organizations around the world. I share my insights and expertise on topics such as branding, business, creativity, and social media marketing, reaching millions of people through my YouTube channel, podcast, and online platform. My mission is to empower the next generation of creative entrepreneurs and leaders to achieve their full potential.

Am I arrogant? (read on)
"We told you our budget was $100k. Why is this $118k?"

The client was pissed.
My producer was sweating.
I remained calm.

Here's what happened:

Big branding client. Mid-project, they need a video for the CEO's keynote.
"We have $100k for this," they said.
"Fine," I said.

When we built the bid, it came in at $118k.

My producer panicked. "Chris, they TOLD us their ceiling. We should come in at $100k."

"Submit it at $118k. I'll handle the blowback."

Twenty minutes later, he's in my office, exasperated, with that "I TOLD you so" look on his face. "They want to hop on a call. They're not happy."

We got on the call.

"We told you our cap. Why is this more?"

I took a breath, not out of desperation, but to slow things down, and ground the room.

In a calm, deliberate tone (Late Night FM DJ Voice) "I understand you might feel frustrated about this budget. Here's why it's higher:

I don't like nickel-and-diming clients.

Inevitably on projects like this, you'll ask for a change here, a tweak there, and I'll be forced to ask for overages. That hurts the flow. Creates friction. Kills momentum.

This budget anticipates those changes, so we don't have to stop mid-project to renegotiate—unless you have major changes.

Now, if you want me to submit it for $100k, I can.
But when those changes start creeping in, I'll hit you up for overages.

Your call. I respect your decision either way."

Silence.

Then a sigh (of relief).

"You're right. Let's move forward at $118k."

They hardly asked for any changes.
They were delighted with what we made.
The project flowed beautifully.

Everyone was happy (including the CEO).

Here's what this taught me:

The budget is never THE budget.
It's an anchor. A starting point. Not a ceiling.

If two parties want to work together, money is rarely the real problem.
They find a way. Always.

Premium clients want premium experiences.
Paying more for zero friction? Easy yes.

Your pricing signals your experience.
When you price to avoid problems, you're saying "this isn't my first rodeo."
That's worth $18k.

Most creatives would have caved at $100k.
In fact, they would often submit below, never wanting to create friction.
Then spent the project bleeding money on changes and the "we should've asked for more" regret.
Resenting the client.
Hating the work.

Instead, we made an extra $18k.
The client got a better experience.
Everyone won.

Your price isn't just a number.
It's a promise about how the project will feel.

In 30 years of running two 7 figure businesses, money has never been the barrier. it's a matter of will. Do you want to work together or not? 

Your price tells a story.
Price accordingly.

What's a time you held firm on pricing, or asked for more, when everyone told you to cave? How did it turn out? What did you learn?

#pricingstrategy #clientmanagement #businessgrowth

I’ll teach you to charge so much it makes your mom nervous. Hard truths gently told. Content Lab launching Sep.

The client meeting isn't your therapy session.

Yesterday someone asked me how to recognize when to stop pitching after the client says yes.

Hard truth. Gently said—
You keep talking because you're trying to prove your worth.
(Not to them. To yourself.)

The conference room becomes your confessional.
The pitch deck becomes your validation.
The client becomes your therapist.

Stop it.

You arrive. You are enough. You have nothing to prove.

When you walk into that room, you're not auditioning for worthiness.
You're not seeking approval from strangers in suits.
You're not filling the silence because silence scares you.

You're there to solve a problem.
Period.

The moment they say yes, your job is done.
Not your self-worth journey.
Not your imposter syndrome workout.
Not your "look how smart I am" showcase.

Your job. Done.

Here's what I've learned after 20+ years and hundreds of pitches:
The need to keep talking after "yes" isn't about them.
It's about that scared kid inside you who still thinks they need permission to be in the room.

That kid needs therapy.
Not more PowerPoint slides.

Next client meeting, try this:
Walk in knowing you belong there. (You were invited after all)
Present with conviction, not desperation. (You're the expert)
When they say yes, say "Great. Let's discuss next steps."

Then shut up.

The sale is closed.
Your worth was never in question.

You were enough before you walked in.
You'll be enough when you walk out.
With or without them.

Who else needs to hear this today?
What would need to happen for you to feel like you're enough?

#smallbusinessmentor #salescoach #clientmanagement

You're the bottleneck in your own business.

Yesterday someone asked me how I stopped being everywhere at once in my company.

Hard truth. Gently said—
You're not irreplaceable.
You just haven't taught anyone to replace you.

Here's how to "Buy back your time". (hat tip to Dan Martell)

Step 1: Time Audit
Track every task for a week.
Not what you think you do.
What you actually do.

That Instagram scroll? Write it down.
That "quick" email that took 47 minutes? Document it.
That client revision you should've delegated? Note it.

Step 2: Create Your Escape Plan (SOPs)
Record yourself doing the task.
Loom. iPhone. Whatever.
Just hit record and narrate your thinking.

"I'm choosing this font because..."
"I always check this metric first because..."
"When clients say X, I respond with Y because..."

Your brain on video.
Your process in pixels.
As Dan says, Camcorder yourself.

Step 3: The Three-Phase Handoff

Phase 1: "Watch me"
They observe. Take notes. Ask questions.
You're still doing. They're learning.

Phase 2: "Let's do it together"
They drive. You navigate.
Supervised practice with immediate feedback.

Phase 3: "You've got this"
They own it. Random quality checks.
Only escalate when stuck.

This isn't delegation.
This is how you clone yourself.

The result?
They get agency.
You get freedom.
The business gets systems.

Most founders think they're protecting quality by doing everything themselves.

You're not.
You're protecting your ego.

Your business shouldn't need you to function.
It should need you to grow.

Big difference.

What task are you doing this week that someone else should be doing next month?

Name it. Own it. Then delegate it.

Small Business Builders



#smallbusinessmentor #businessgrowth #delegation #buybackyourtime

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