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

Hey y’all, welcome back to the podcast! It’s been a minute since I recorded a solo episode, and instead of pretending I had some perfectly planned return… we’re just diving straight into what’s been happening behind the scenes and how it led to this conversation. After hosting my Out of Office Ready training, one thing became very clear: most of you don’t actually need more availability to book cl...

This quarter's business bestie chat is coming at you live and in-person from Texas! Sabrina and I finally got to record together for our quarterly chat after spending a few days together at the Creative Educator Conference! Listen in as we chat through that experience, recap what happened in Q1, and get honest about where we are in business right now. Find It Quickly Recapping the Creative Educato...

Here's some advice to business owners (new and established): stop waiting until you’re overwhelmed to build your systems. In this episode, I sit down with Anthea Proudfoot to talk about how she built out her entire CRM and client experience instead of Systems in Session before she had a steady stream of clients. It can be complicated to retrofit your processes into your business later, after you'v...

If your marketing feels like a constant cycle of chasing new leads but never quite getting the sales you want, this episode is going to change how you think about everything. Polly Pollockjoins us to dive deep into what actually works in marketing right now—especially if you’re tired of relying on Instagram or social media altogether. Listen in as we talk about why so many business owners feel stu...

What if automation didn’t make your client experience feel colder, but actually made it feel more personal? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Ina Jalil, a pet photographer who specializes in high-touch, full-service photography for dog lovers. When Ina joined my Email Like You Mean It live sprint, it became clear almost immediately that her business was the perfect example of something so man...

Hey y’all… so apparently this is episode 300 😅 This episode snuck up on me so fast I didn't have a chance to plan a milestone moment. My 4th Podcast Anniversary in 2 months away, so maybe I'll do better then! 🎙️ In this episode, I’m sharing: Updates inside Systems in Session (and what that means for availability & pricing) The 3 biggest changes I made to improve client momentum and results in...

What happens when the thing you’ve always sold so well no longer fits the life or business you want to build? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Brittany Herzberg to unpack the real difference between done-for-you and done-with-you services, what it looks like to sit in the messy middle of an offer evolution, and why both of us are rethinking how we help clients get results. Brittany shares ho...

If you’ve ever wrapped up a project, delivered the final files, and then… just waited to see if your client comes back—you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: your next sale shouldn’t start after the project ends. In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at my recent Disney cruise (yes, I already booked another one 👀) and the simple, strategic move they used to get me to spend more m...

In the last episode, I sat down with money coach Emilie Nutley to talk about understanding your numbers, paying yourself, and planning your finances like a real business owner. Because once you actually know your numbers, the possibilities for your business start to open up. But today I want to flip the conversation to something that most people don’t immediately connect to revenue: your systems ....

If you’ve been avoiding your numbers this year—this is your sign to review them. I invited financial expert Emilie Nutley to join me for a powerful, no-fluff conversation about pricing your signature offer, paying yourself consistently, and a financial concept that will completely change the way you think about business finances: overflow . We talk about why you should never price based on competi...

Busy season might not feel close yet—but if you rely on fall bookings, the inquiries that fill your calendar are coming sooner than you think. Instead of waiting until leads start flooding your inbox, this is the time to make sure your client experience systems are ready to support them . Because when your backend is messy, slow, or inconsistent, it becomes a lot harder to book clients confidently...

What if your side hustle wasn't just extra income, but the most creatively fulfilling part of your life? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Christi Dorsey, a nutrition expert, food science consultant, and full-time government professional. We talk about what it really looks like to build a thriving consulting business alongside a 9–5. Christi isn’t new to entrepreneurship. She’s been running h...

If you’re trying to decide between Email Like You Mean It and Systems in Session , this episode will help you make that decision. I get asked all the time where someone should start if they want better systems in their business — and my answer is never “pick a CRM” or “build workflows.” It’s always: design your client experience first. In this episode, I’m breaking down: Why mapping your customer...

I turned Email Like You Mean It into a 5-day done-with-you live sprint… and then immediately invited some of my Systems in Session clients to test it as pre-work. Bold? Yes. A little chaotic? Also yes. Worth it? 100%. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how the first sprint went — what surprised me, what I learned, what I’m keeping, and what I’m changing for the next round. We’re talking: W...

What if the only thing standing between you and sustainable growth in your business is your system? In today’s episode, we're diving into a Systems in Session case study with Megan Smith—a full-time teacher, mom of three, farm wife, and professional home organizer. Listen in as she shares what happened when she finally stopped hiding from her systems and built the structure her business needed. Wh...

Planning this episode felt like getting a dose of my own medicine. When I help clients build their five-minute booking process, I always tell them: your FAQs don’t belong buried on your website. They belong right above where someone is about to pay you. So today, we’re doing that for Systems in Session . If you’ve been wondering: Is this only for Dubsado users? Do I need this if I’ve had my CRM fo...

Niching down your messaging can feel like a catch-22. I talk to photographers a lot—which means non-photographers sometimes wonder if Systems in Session is actually for them. Short answer? Yes. Long answer? Let’s break it down. In this episode, I explain why Systems in Session works for any service-based business—not just photographers. I share who’s currently inside the program (including a stati...

“I can’t automate that — my clients are all different.” If you’ve ever said that (or thought it), this episode is for you. Today kicks off a 3-part Objection Day series, where I’m tackling the most common pushback I hear about building real client experience systems. In this episode, we’re talking about: Why your clients are different creatively — but not logistically The difference between custom...

Ever wonder what actually happens after someone makes a big backend decision? In this episode, I’m giving you a real update on two announcements I made last month: • Hiring a professional Notion strategist to build my marketing team dashboard • Bringing Chelsea on as my fractional CMO for 2026 Spoiler: I am not abandoning Airtable. But I did need a better way to coordinate a growing team without b...

If your clients are quietly disappearing, not giving testimonials, or not buying again, there is a deeply rooted problem we need to address. In this episode, I sit down with Emily Mathis to talk about outsourcing, but not in the way you think. We didn’t talk about hiring editors, VAs, or handing off social media. We talked about the outsourcing you’re probably ignoring: your client experience. Emi...

When you're empowered to build your own process and be part of it, everything in your systems can change. While there is always the option to outsource your brain or hand your systems to someone else, it's even more valuable to learn how your systems actually work, build them with intention, and have the confidence to evolve them as your business grows. In today's episode, I'm joined by David Enlo...

When I sent out a “why didn’t you buy?” survey after a slow launch, I didn’t expect one of those responses to turn into one of my favorite transformation stories. That’s exactly what happened with Emily Sterne, a long-time DIYer who needed guidance, but also didn’t want someone to do it all for her either. What she really needed was a middle ground that offered support, accountability, and someone...

If you’ve ever thought, “If my proposal just looked better, this would be easier,” you’re not wrong — but that’s only part of the story. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down why pretty proposals can close sales faster… and why they stop working when the system around them isn’t doing its job. Your proposal isn’t just an invoice — it’s a WOW moment. And when it doesn’t convert, it’s usually the...

Ever had a dream client inquire, seem excited… and then disappear? No reply. No booking. Just silence. In this episode, I’m breaking down why ghosting usually isn’t about your price or competition — it’s about what happens after someone raises their hand to work with you. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing “all the right things” but still losing leads, this episode will help you zoom out and se...

This quarter’s business bestie chat is juicier than ever. We’re tackling real business wins, real pivots, and real lessons. Listen in as Sabrina and I share what we actually did in Q4 2025 and what we’re strategizing for Q1 2026. Find It Quickly Catching up with Sabrina and Colie (00:24) How the Biz Bestie chats work (02:01) Sabrina’s major rebrand (03:34) The end of Colie’s CRM Blueprint (09:04)...