Business-First Creatives: Client Experience & Systems for Service Providers

Being a business owner comes with a lot of responsibilities and strategy for success—one thing we often overlook is finding a balance of creativity. In today's episode, Tenley Clark joins us to share why it's important to nurture your creativity and find the time to keep creating for yourself! Review the show notes and transcript at coliejames.com/episode-072/ Today's episode is brought to you by...

I love a good road trip!  As a child, my family and I would drive an RV from Dallas, TX to Hampton Beach, NH every summer to enjoy the water, sand, and fried dough (IYKYK). So when Annemie mentioned her idea of a virtual business road trip, where you get an awesome business tip from several amazing photography podcast hosts, I JUMPED at the chance. Each host has given you an easily digestible...

Send us a Text Message. Opening a photography studio had been on LaJune's vision board for years before she ever opened BLK STRY Studio. She knew it was part of her journey to living out her purpose. In today's episode, LaJune King joins us to share how she found her perfect studio, what she invested to make it her dream, and why it was important to create a space for people of color to...

Send us a Text Message. I want to invite you to hop on over to Episode 43 of the Shoot it Straight podcast with Sabrina Gebhardt, where we chatted all about the looming recession and how we can position our businesses for success. Listen on Apple or Spotify The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each week as she discusses how to bui...

Motherhood can change the way you do business—we're talking about the good ways it does in today's episode! Amy Sanusi joins us to share how a move, motherhood, and a shift in business model changed the way she did business. Listen in as Amy shares how implementing a revenue on repeat membership service allowed her to better navigate motherhood and business! If you've tried setting up your Dubsado...

Everywhere you turn now you see chatter about new AI apps and features added to software you are already using. Have you tried any out for your business?  I would LOVE to hear about it 😍 The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each week as she discusses how to build a business that brings you joy and a paycheck! From business a...

Have you grown and scaled your business by hiring contractors or employees? In today's episode, Angelica Pompy joins us to share how she claims the role of CEO in her business, what her journey of hiring has looked like, and how she's growing her brand. The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each week as she discusses how to build a...

Real talk: what is the goal for growing your audience? It's bigger than saying "I have 10k followers on Instagram". In today's episode I am talking about my current efforts to grow my audience and 4 questions you should ask yourself before you focus on growing yours! The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each week as she discusses...

Marketing doesn't come natural to many of us, especially when we have to consider strategies that will convert. In today's episode, Fiona Margo joins us to share how thoughtful marketing strategies that will create connection and trust with your audience, while allowing you to market with confidence! Listen in as she share's her hot take on ideal customers, how early you should start marketing for...

It's been ONE WHOLE YEAR of the Business-First Creatives podcast.  This anniversary episode is not all fluff, I still give you an actionable takeaway! The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each week as she discusses how to build a business that brings you joy and a paycheck! From business advice with fellow entrepreneurs to sh...

Not every business looks the same, because we all have different personalities, roles, services, and overall goals—that's why it's important to build a business that's right for you. In today's episode, Miranda Eorio joins us to share what the early days of her business looked like, how she's grown and pivoted over time, and why personalization is so important in your client experience! Review the...

Automations can play a vital role is eliminating the overwhelm inside your business and frankly your personal life.  I don't know what I would do without automatic bill payments and the little *ding* on my calendar to remind me when to pick up my kid from school. For this episode, let's focus on what automatic communications and workflows can do for you inside your business. The Business-Firs...

Have you looked into how the Enneagram has effected your business? From the way you run your business to the people you work with, Enneagram types play a role in how your professional relationships are built. In today's episode, Katelyn Dekle and I have a casual conversation exploring Enneagram types in business owners! The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expe...

As a society we have absolutely no attention span at the moment.  So instead of crafting the perfect 30-second elevator pitch, I want you to drill it down to a single sentence. What do you do? The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each week as she discuss how to build a business that brings you joy and a paycheck! From busines...

Is strategy something you're thinking about when it comes to the speaking events you're pitching or securing? Jordan Gill joins us to share how you can leverage your speaking engagements based on your business needs—and they don't always have to be the same. Listen in as she explains the value of building connections, having a referral network, and tracking important data! The Business-First Creat...

When a business offers you multiple ways to work with them, how do you choose the best option for you? In this solo episode, Colie discusses whether or not finances should be the basis for that purchasing decision. The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each week as she discuss how to build a business that brings you joy and a paych...

The community you're surrounding yourself with is one of the most valuable assets you can build as a business owner. In today's episode, Natasha Sewell shares how investing in education and community is ultimately what allowed her to build a business that serves her while simultaneously moving her business to a new location! Listen in as she shares how she prepped her business for the move and why...

In this solo episode, Colie discusses what niching down does for your business, particularly marketing and messaging. The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each week as she discuss how to build a business that brings you joy and a paycheck! From business advice with fellow entrepreneurs to sharing automation tips and tricks, Colie...

Your email list isn't just a way to sell your products or services, you can actually use it to educate and connect with your audience! In today's episode, Shannon Vondy joins us to share how you can get started with email marketing and build a powerful marketing platform for your business. The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each...

In this solo episode, Colie discusses the slow seasons of business and how to approach increasing your bookings from your current client roster. The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each week as she discuss how to build a business that brings you joy and a paycheck! From business advice with fellow entrepreneurs to sharing automat...

Running our numbers likely isn't your favorite part of the job, but understanding the financial health of your business can sometimes be what helps your business succeed. In this conversation, Val Duvick joins us to share about managing your numbers, spending healthy money in your business, and financially preparing for the future. Plus, she even dives into how you can determine the best approach...

When does it typically come together for a creative entrepreneur? The dream scenario is when you begin to get a continuous cycle of referrals, returning clients, and you organic marketing producing the number of leads you need to sustain the business, but when does this typically happen? The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Colie each w...

Are you showing up on Instagram and taking your audience along on a journey? In today's episode, Angie McPherson joins us to discuss the power of personal branding in your instagram marketing strategy! Listen in as she walks us through how she approaches content, how she converts clients from Instagram, and how you can reframe your mindset around Instagram by sharing your personality. The Business...

Pricing is a complex and very personal part of running a business.  The key to running a successful photography isn't usually about the actual prices you are charging, as long as they are profitable and sustainable, but whether or not you have the confidence to sell that offer at that price. The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to you by CRM and Dubsado expert Colie James. Join Col...

Outsourcing isn't out of your reach, like so many entrepreneurs may think. You know I'm a huge proponent of outsourcing, which is why I'm sharing this episode I did with my business bestie, Sabrina Gebhardt on her podcast, Shoot It Straight ! Listen in as we explore your options for outsourcing, when and why you need it, and expectations on costs! The Business-First Creatives Podcast is brought to...