Outsmart the Hustle

In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle , we take real look at a tough business decision—choosing to quit something that took hard to build. We talk about canceling the Refresh conference, closing the Booked by Strategy business, and the lessons that came from realizing it just wasn’t the right time. It’s an honest conversation about learning that sometimes the smartest move in business is letting...

Being booked doesn’t always mean being profitable. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, we break down how creatives can understand their margins, price their packages intentionally, and focus on profit—not just revenue. We discuss the importance of structuring your services, accounting for real expenses, and building a sustainable business that actually pays you back. Let's Connect! YouTube Ins...

In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, we talk about imposter syndrome and the fear that comes with starting something bigger than you. I share a behind-the-scenes look at transitioning my video business into a creative marketing agency, the insecurity that came with it, and the mindset shift that helped me keep moving forward. If you’re a creative entrepreneur navigating change or are in a seaso...

Running ads in Q1 can feel unpredictable. In this episode, we walk through the most common issues wedding pros run into this time of year, from attracting the wrong leads to booked calls not showing up or not closing. I’ll break down what’s usually causing the problem and what to tweak in your ads, DMs, pre-call sequences, and sales process so you can fix those bottlenecks and get better results....

Weddings built your business, but they don’t have to carry it forever. This show is for wedding pros who love what they do but know there’s more on the table than trading Saturdays for dollars. We’re talking to photographers, videographers, planners, florists, and creatives who figured out how to make money beyond booking another wedding. Just an honest conversation about leverage, longevity, and...

Building the Business Your Future Self Can Sustain What if making more money doesn’t automatically mean you’re winning? This year, our business hit its highest revenue ever, and we still weren’t profitable. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what that actually means, why it’s not a failure, and how growth seasons often come with a lag before the payoff. We’re talking about the real c...

If you’ve ever felt like systems are suffocating or “too corporate,” this episode is about to flip that belief on its head. I sat down with Wendy Kidd, founder of Boss Level Engaged and The Nonprofit Nook, to talk about how intentional systems can actually become the thing that frees you, supports your team, and strengthens your client experience. Wendy has built her entire career around helping b...

Today’s episode is a little behind-the-scenes moment about the Booked by Strategy Workshop. I’m sharing why the dates shifted, why the styled shoot is no longer part of the experience, and how these changes actually make the event stronger for the creatives attending. If you’ve been eyeing the workshop or you’re already locked in, this convo will help you understand the heart behind the pivot and...

When people you respect tell you to quit your business dreams, what do you do? Short answer: you keep going. But not blindly! Definitely in discernment and discipline . In this episode, I'm breaking down what to do in seasons of pressure, when the path gets foggy, and when even wise voices question your vision. Because sometimes the resistance is a sign to pivot, and sometimes it’s simply proof th...

Ever wondered what it really takes to build a thriving creative business that lasts? On this episode of Outsmart the Hustle , I sit down with Jai Long, creative business coach, award-winning photographer, and host of the Make Your Break podcast, to talk about what we’ve both learned from saying yes in the face of challenges.  This conversation is all about how the moments of risk, uncertainty, and...

Ever thought about making a “Death Folder”? No? Well, maybe you should. On this episode of Outsmart the Hustle , I sit down with Julie Fried, founder of the Death Folder and co-founder of Dallas Girl Friday , to talk about the surprisingly funny, practical, and life-saving world of planning ahead.  Julie shares how a little organization can spare your family stress, help you get your affairs in or...

If you’ve ever felt the weight of burnout as a creative entrepreneur, you are not alone. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, I’m joined by Laylee Emadi — educator, podcaster, and founder of The Creative Educator Conference — to talk about what it really takes to build a business that supports your life, instead of running it.  Laylee shares her personal journey through burnout, how she rebuilt...

What if your next client found you in ChatGPT instead of Google?  In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle , I share the wild story of how a client searched “Dallas videographer” in ChatGPT and booked me the very same day. No Instagram DM chains, no endless referrals—just one search and one instant yes in under two hours.  Here’s what we’ll cover:  Why Google still dominates search with 14 billion d...

Editing burnout is real—and it might be the one thing standing between you and the business you actually want. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle , Hannah McGinty chats with Serge Baidin, founder of bridengroom.video, about how outsourcing your video edits can help you scale and get your time back. From mindset shifts to systems that simplify handing off your work, this episode addresses commo...

Entrepreneurship is all about solving problems—but what happens when you’ve built nine businesses, experienced both success and failure, and learned the hard lessons along the way? In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle , we’re bringing back Ray Myers, a seasoned entrepreneur, business coach, and visionary behind multiple successful ventures. Ray dives deep into his journey of scaling businesses,...

Likes don’t pay the bills—and they don’t always mean your content is working. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle , Hannah McGinty breaks down why posts that rack up likes but bring in zero inquiries aren’t moving your business forward. If you’ve been stuck in the engagement trap, this is your sign to shift from vanity metrics to value-driven content . Learn the anatomy of a high-converting pos...

If your content isn’t clicking, it’s probably because you’re writing for everyone . In this direct and powerful episode of Outsmart the Hustle , Hannah McGinty delivers a dose of tough love about why broad, beige messaging won’t attract your dream clients. When you try to appeal to all, you connect with none. The antidote? Write for one person. Hannah shares how narrowing your focus and getting hy...

You don’t need to go viral—you need to be remembered. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle , Hannah McGinty unpacks why chasing numbers won’t build the kind of brand that sticks. She shares her personal shift from trying to go viral to focusing on creating meaningful, memorable content that resonates deeply with the right people. If you've ever felt behind because your content isn’t "blowing up,...

You don’t have to post every day to stay booked—and that’s the truth. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle , Hannah McGinty breaks down the myth that constant visibility is the only path to success. She shares the exact sustainable marketing strategies that help her attract consistent leads without burning out or chasing the algorithm. From evergreen content to word-of-mouth referrals, this epis...

Feeling unseen doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re growing beneath the surface. In this episode, Hannah McGinty shares a refreshing mindset shift for showing up when it feels like no one is watching. She opens up about the early days of building her education brand, what it’s like to pour your heart into content that barely gets noticed, and why visibility is more about consistency than pe...

Feeling invisible in your business? You’re not alone—and it doesn’t mean you're failing. In this short and encouraging episode, Hannah McGinty shares a refreshing mindset shift for showing up when it feels like no one is watching. She opens up about the early days of building her education brand, what it’s like to pour your heart into content that barely gets seen, and why visibility is more about...

Ever feel like you're doing all the marketing and still not getting results? In this episode, Hannah dives into one of the biggest reasons why your marketing might not be working: your message isn’t clear. She shares her own early mistakes, what she’s learned since, and three simple ways to clarify your content so it actually connects. If you’ve ever felt like you're shouting into the void on soci...

Ever wondered what it’s actually like to film a destination wedding? In this episode, Hannah McGinty shares the real behind-the-scenes of shooting her first international wedding in Portugal. From what gear she packed (and what she’d do differently next time) to how the whole experience came together—from client outreach to logistics on the ground—you’ll get an honest look at what it takes to pull...

Are destination weddings the pinnacle of success? In this episode, filmmaker and creative entrepreneur Hannah McGinty pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to land and sustain destination wedding gigs. As she prepares for her first paid international wedding in Portugal, Hannah shares the years of behind-the-scenes work, strategic marketing, and personal sacrifice that made it possible. T...

Grab your spot for the workshop before it's gone: https://bookedbystrategy.thrivecart.com/bbs-workshop-2025/ Follow our speaker lineup! @jailong.co @justinportermedia @laylee_emadi @jac.kalaher @memoir.film @entrepreneurialoperatingsystem Connect With Us: Follow @BookedByStrategy   on Instagram Follow @Outsmart the Hustle   on Instagram Join our free FB Group Outsmart the Hustle helps creative ent...