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Business-First Creatives is a podcast for photographers and creative service providers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business without drowning in admin work, client experience chaos, or systems that let you down. This show delivers clear, actionable conversations around marketing, CRM workflows, client communication, Dubsado and Honeybook automation, Airtable systems, and workflow strategies, giving photographers and creative entrepreneurs the systems that scale, operational clarity, and strategic, human-first client experiences they need to build streamlined, referral-worthy business operations that don't require working 24/7. If you're tired of babysitting your inbox, chasing down contracts, or watching your workflows break the moment you look away, this show will help you move beyond "figuring it out as you go" and toward a creative business that brings you joy and a paycheck. This podcast provides answers to questions like: How do I automate my client journey without losing the personal touch? What CRM workflows do photographers and creative businesses need? How can I use Dubsado or Honeybook to streamline my client experience? What systems do photographers need to save time and deliver exceptional client experiences? How do I reduce admin time in my creative service business? Why do my workflows keep letting me down (and how do I fix them)? How can I build a profitable creative business that brings me joy and a paycheck? What's the best way to communicate with clients throughout their journey? How do I create systems that work even when I'm not babysitting them? How can I map my client journey to convert more inquiries into bookings? Hosted by Colie James, a Dubsado Certified Specialist, Honeybook Educator, and Workflow and Automations Guru with 10+ years helping creatives systemize their businesses—this show delivers practical, no-BS guidance for photographers and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to streamline their client journey, automate their operations, and make money from their craft. If you're done dropping balls and ready to build a business-first creative operation with systems that scale, you're in the right place. Find out more about Systems in Session ➡️ https://coliejames.com/systems-in-session

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Check latest episodes from Business-First Creatives podcast

Why Done-With-You Systems are a Game-Changer with Emily Sterne

2026/02/06

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 to walk alongside her. That’s what she found inside Systems in Session with me. Done-with-you gave her the clarity and confidence she was missing without giving up control. 284 Find It Quickly 01:02 - Meet Emily 04:52 - The Myth of Outsourcing 09:20 - Emily’s Systems Before Systems in Session 11:39 - Transition to HoneyBook 13:05 - What Emily Had Already Built (and What Was Missing) 14:10 - Pricing Comes First 18:42 - The True Outcome of Systems In Session 23:32 - 12 Sessions Booked While Moving 27:24 - Trusting Automations 29:35 - Systems Aren’t Set & Forget Mentioned in this Episode Systems in Session: coliejames.com/systems-in-session Episode 241: Systems in Session ft. Erin Belles: coliejames.com/done-with-you-dubsado-setup-case-study

Why Pretty Proposals Close Sales Faster (But Your's Aren't Working)

2026/02/04

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 first place your booking system is breaking down. We’re talking about the difference between design and clarity, why proposals expose gaps in your client experience, and what actually makes a proposal feel premium, intentional, and easy to say yes to. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why “I just need a prettier proposal” is such a common (and understandable) beliefHow proposals act as a gateway — not the fix — in your booking systemThe difference between speeding up decisions and creating real clarityWhat makes a proposal feel like a WOW experience instead of paperworkWhy pretty proposals only work when the system around them works If you want your proposal to stop working so hard — and start shining inside a clear booking process — this episode is for you. ✨ Ready to build a booking system you trust? Learn more about Systems in Session at coliejames.com/systems-in-session

3 Things Making Your Dream Clients Ghost You

2026/02/02

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 see where the breakdown is actually happening. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe three core elements of your inquiry + booking process that directly affect conversionsWhy fixing your systems in isolation creates leaks you can’t seeHow your instant inquiry response can either build momentum or quietly stall itWhy a “pretty” proposal doesn’t automatically lead to bookingsHow follow-up emails help clients finish decisions they already wanted to makeWhen a sales call replacement video can work better than a live call Related Episodes Mentioned:Episode 225: Instant Inquiry Response Red FlagsEpisode 198: How to Create a 5-Minute Booking ProcessEpisode 108: The Magic of Follow-Up EmailsEpisode 280: Stop Overthinking Your Follow-Up Emails If you’re tired of guessing which part of your booking process is broken, this is exactly what we design inside Systems in Session. ➡️ Learn more at coliejames.com/sis

Business Bestie Chat Q1 – 2026 with Sabrina Gebhardt

2026/01/29

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) The shift in Colie’s offers (13:15) Sabrina’s Root To Rise launch (18:02) Playing the long game (24:15) Sabrina and Colie’s ad experiments (30:56) Plans for the rest of Q1 (38:12) Mentioned in this Episode Showit: showit.com Tonic: tonicsiteshop.com Email Like You Mean It: /coliejames.com/email-like-you-mean-it Episode 268: Personalizing the Client Communication Experience with Geneviève Masioni: coliejames.com/personalizing-the-client-communication-experience-with-genevieve-masioni The First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membership Episode 264: How Human Design Is Influencing The Way We Do Business with Sabrina Gebhardt: coliejames.com/how-human-design-is-influencing-the-way-we-do-business-with-sabrina-gebhardt Episode 005: Avoiding Burnout with Sabrina Gebhardt: coliejames.com/005 Business Bestie Chat Q4 – 2025 with Sabrina Gebhardt: coliejames.com/business-bestie-chat-q4-2025-with-sabrina-gebhardt Connect with Sabrina Website: sabrinagebhardt.com Instagram: instagram.com/sabrinagebhardtphotography Podcast: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast

Stop Overthinking Your Follow-Up Emails

2026/01/28

You already know you’re allowed to email your clients. But what happens after you send the proposal… and hear nothing? In this episode, Colie breaks down when to follow up, why follow-up builds trust (not annoyance), and what to say so it doesn’t feel awkward or salesy. She shares how her approach to follow-up has evolved over the years, why “just checking in” emails fall flat, and how using client stories inside follow-ups helps leads actually finish the decision they started. This episode is a continuation of Stop Being Afraid to Email Your Own Clients and connects directly to the Confidence Loop — closing communication gaps so trust doesn’t leak. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy silence after a proposal is unfinished thinking, not rejectionWhen follow-up is appropriate (and expected) — without guessing or spiralingWhy “just checking in” emails feel weird (and what to say instead)How to plan follow-ups in advance so they don’t feel needy or emotionalWhy your follow-up emails should do more than remind someone the offer existsHow Colie uses short client stories inside follow-ups to support real decisionsWhen real urgency should be named — and why fake urgency hurts trust Links & Resources MentionedStop Being Afraid to Email Your Own Clients (Ep 279)Episode 108: The Magic of the Follow-UpEmail Like You Mean It – 5-Day Done-With-You Client Communication SprintKai Davis’ “Magic Email” themagicemail.com Ready to Stop Overthinking Follow-Up?Follow-up isn’t about chasing people down. It’s about closing communication gaps and supporting a decision your client already opened. If you’re tired of second-guessing what to send, when to send it, and whether you’re being “too much,” join Email Like You Mean It. In five days, you’ll map your full client journey and write every email you need — from inquiry to delivery — with clarity and confidence. Learn more at coliejames.com/email Next sprint begins Feb 2nd

Microsystems for ADHD Business Owners with Angela Tan

2026/01/27

What if the secret to managing ADHD wasn’t massive systems or productivity hacks, but tiny, repeatable actions? In this episode, I’m joined by systems strategist Angela Tan, who shares how she uses “microsystems” to run her business and life with more ease, all while navigating ADHD. From missed emails to abandoned leftovers to paralyzing decision fatigue, Angela opens up about her journey to self-awareness and how she built personalized systems that actually work. She walks us through how ADHD shows up in unexpected ways (especially in business) and the small steps she’s taken to stay focused, reduce overwhelm, and create structure without rigidity. Find It Quickly 00:24 - Meet Angela Tan 02:12 - ADHD and Microsystems 05:53 - What are Microsystems? 08:09 - The YAP Method for ADHD 18:08 - Sales Before Hyperfocus 22:44 - Automated Reminders Mentioned in this Episode Scaling Your 1-to-1 Service into a Digital Product with Angela Tan Hero App Connect with Angela Website: thesystemsrx.com Instagram: instagram.com/thesystemsrx

Stop Being Afraid to Email Your Own Clients

2026/01/23

Worried about annoying your clients if you follow up? This episode is your permission slip. In this pep talk + rant, I’m breaking down why emailing your own clients isn’t pushy, why silence doesn’t mean “no,” and how overthinking follow-ups is quietly costing you money — and your sanity. I’m also sharing a real example from my own life where I was the one who needed multiple follow-ups before booking… and why that didn’t make the service provider annoying — it made them professional. If you’ve ever stared at a draft email wondering if you should send it, this episode is for you. And if this episode hits because client emails feel way harder than they should, I share how Email Like You Mean It helps you map your client journey and write emails you can send with confidence — without second-guessing every follow-up. coliejames.com/email

How Human Design Is Influencing the Way We Do Business with Sabrina Gebhardt

2026/01/21

What if the key to breaking through in your business isn’t another tactic, but understanding how you’re wired to show up? In this episode, I sit down with my business bestie, Sabrina Gebhardt, and we dive into how our respective Human Design types and profiles are actively informing how we run our businesses. From offer structure and messaging to launches and audience connection, listen in as we go deep into what our charts say and how that's showing up in real life and our businesses. Find It Quickly 00:23 - Introduction to Human Design with Sabrina 01:48 - Discovering Our Human Designs 03:45 - The Impact of Human Design on Business 04:27 - Human Design Profiles: Generator and Manifester 07:20 - Practical Applications of Human Design 13:48 - Sales Strategies and Human Design 19:52 - Long-Term vs. Short-Term Offers 22:13 - Ideal Client Types and Human Design 23:21 - Discovering the Perfect Client Match 23:49 - The Role Model and Investigator 25:04 - Client Success Stories 26:09 - Human Design Insights 27:00 - Empowering Women Leaders 29:29 - Tailored Systems for Success 35:18 - Brutal Honesty in Business Coaching 38:58 - Future Projects and Human Design Mentioned in this Episode Shoot It Straight Episode 162: Human Design Energetics and Business with Breanna Owen Business-First Creatives: Using Human Design to Transform Your Business Strategy with Breanna Owen Business-First Creatives: What’s the Best Way To Set Up Your CRM? CRM Blueprint vs. Systems in Session with Megan Norman Connect with Sabrina Website: sabrinagebhardt.com Instagram: instagram.com/sabrinagebhardtphotography Podcast: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast

You’re Losing Clients Without a Clear Brand Personality: Here’s How to Fix It with Alethea Tyler

2026/01/19

What if the reason your marketing doesn’t feel "on" isn’t that you need more strategy, but that your brand personality hasn’t been uncovered or defined yet? In this conversation with Alethea Tyler of Copy with Spice, we get real about what brand personality actually is, how it differs (and overlaps) with your personal personality, and why letting your authentic self show up in your business is one of the biggest competitive advantages you have. Find It Quickly 00:24 - Diving into Brand Personality 02:24 - The Importance of Authenticity 03:57 - Embracing Uniqueness in Your Brand 06:42 - Balancing Personal and Brand Personality 10:33 - Steps to Define Your Brand Personality 15:03 - Understanding Competitors and Differentiation 21:20 - Integrating Brand Personality Across All Messaging 21:52 - Brand Personality's Impact Beyond Messaging 24:06 - Tailoring Messaging for Different Platforms 26:06 - Website Copy as the Foundation 27:47 - Unexpected Places for Brand Personality 31:02 - Evolving and Maintaining Brand Personality Connect with Alethea Website: copywithspice.com Instagram: instagram.com/copywithspice Take the Quiz: copywithspice.com/personality-quiz

Why Staying Small Can Be the Smartest Business Decision You Make with Maggie Patterson

2026/01/15

What if success in business didn’t look like 6 figures, a big team, or endless growth? In this episode, I sit down with Maggie Patterson to explore why staying small and strategic can be a powerful, joyful, and profitable choice. We unpack the cultural myth of the “six‑figure business,” how to set realistic salary and revenue goals, when (and whether) to hire help, and how your season of life should shape your business. Find It Quickly 00:24 - Redefining Success in Business02:19 - The Myth of Six-Figure Success08:19 - Setting Realistic Revenue Goals17:39 - Strategic Hiring Decisions27:28 - Leading and Communicating in Business28:12 - The Importance of Detailed SOPs30:03 - Mindset and Comparison in Business32:44 - Realistic Business Growth and Personal Capacity34:35 - Aligning Business with Life Seasons38:56 - Making Informed Business Decisions44:55 - Recognizing When to Pivot Connect with Maggie: Website: bsfreebusiness.comThreads: threads.com/@bsfreebusinessIG: instagram.com/bsfreebusinessStaying Solo Podcast: bsfreebusiness.com/podcastStaying Solo Book: bsfreebusiness.com/bookReal Life Rule Quiz: bsfreebusiness.com/quiz

Why You Should Plan Your Customer Journey Like You Plan a Day at Disneyland

2026/01/13

I just booked my first Disneyland trip of the year, and the second I hit confirm, my brain went straight into planning mode — not because I love spreadsheets (okay, maybe a little), but because Disneyland is not a place you wing it. And neither is your client experience. In this episode, I walk you through why planning a Disney day is the exact same skill you need to design a calm, trustworthy client journey — and why most people make email writing way harder than it needs to be by skipping this step. You’ll hear: Why your customer journey doesn’t need to be complicated — it just needs to existHow mapping your touchpoints prevents overwhelm, silence, and confusionThe real reason writing client emails feels exhausting and repetitiveWhy “what happens next?” emails are a process issue, not a client issueHow planning the journey first makes email writing faster, clearer, and easier If you’re tired of making decisions in the moment, rewriting the same emails, or feeling like your client experience only works because you’re babysitting it — this episode will show you where to start. Inside Email Like You Mean It, we map your full customer journey first, then write every email that supports it together in five focused days — so you can finally trust the process you’re walking your clients through. ➡️ The next sprint starts February 2nd Learn more at coliejames.com/email And if a Disney trip has been on your to-do list? Take this as your sign to book it — and actually enjoy it.

The Only Way to Work with Me in 2026, and Why It Feels So Damn Good to Simplify

2026/01/06

Welcome back to another year of the Business-First Creatives podcast. If you listened to last week’s episode with Kylie Kelly, we talked a lot about permission — permission to simplify your visibility and stop forcing strategies that don’t fit your life or business. This episode is my personal follow-through. If you’re craving clarity, support, and a more sustainable way to grow in 2026, this episode is for you. In This Episode, You’ll Hear:The three things you actually need to generate revenue (and what usually gets overcomplicated)Why Systems in Session became my signature offerHow done-with-you support changes implementation and confidenceWhy Email Like You Mean It is now a 5-day done-with-you sprintWhat it looks like to stop borrowing someone else’s visibility planHow I’m approaching visibility, systems, and revenue going into 2026 Ways to Work With MeEmail Like You Mean It — a 5-day, done-with-you client communication sprintSystems in Session — my signature 60-day container to design and implement your full client experience If you’re not sure what you need yet, come find me on Threads — I’m always happy to point you to the right resource or next step. Other Resources Building Authority and Visibility with Kylie Kelly - Last Week's Episode

You Can Build Authority & Visibility Without Shaking It on Social Media with Kylie Kelly

2026/01/01

Does growing your business without showing up on Instagram sound like a dream? In today’s episode, visibility strategist Kylie Kelly joins us to explain how entrepreneurs can build authority, leads, and actual paying clients without having to live on social media. If you’re tired of the “you must be on Instagram to succeed” narrative, this is your permission slip to do business your way. Find It Quickly 00:24 - Meet Kylie 01:47 - Kylie's Journey from Photography to Systems 03:24 - The Power of Email Marketing 06:06 - Experimenting with Marketing Strategies 08:26 - The Importance of Data-Driven Decisions 12:13 - Adapting and Pivoting in Business 16:18 - Taking Action and Building Confidence 18:58 - Personal Stories and Reflections 21:38 - Permission to Take Action 26:41 - Discussing AI Bots and Lead Magnets 28:00 -Breakthrough Audits and Their Impact 32:56 - Human Connection in Business 34:29 - Networking Events and Their Benefits 36:13 - Empire Expansion Events Mentioned in this Episode: Empire Expansion Event: kyliekelly.com/event Colie's Networking Events: coliejames.com/connection Connect with Kylie Website: kyliekelly.com Podcast: kyliekelly.com/category/podcast Empire Expansion Event: kyliekelly.com/event

How I Spent Money Inside My Business in 2025

2025/12/30

In this end-of-year episode, I’m breaking down how I spent money inside my business in 2025 — and more importantly, how I made those decisions. This isn’t a profit report or an expense spreadsheet walkthrough. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at what I chose to invest in, what I outsourced, why the podcast is my biggest marketing expense, and how warm-up offers completely changed the way I decide who to work with and where to put my money. I’m also sharing how this buying behavior pushed me to rethink my own warm-up offers, what I’m carrying into 2026, and why my word for the year is simplify. If you’re thinking more intentionally about your spending, your offers, or how you want to work next year — this one’s for you. In this episode, we cover: How I evaluate purchases and investments in my businessWhat I outsource and why retainers matter to meWhy the podcast is my biggest and best marketing investmentHow I use warm-up offers to test fit before committing long-termWhy “no” can still be a powerful return on investmentWhat’s changing (and staying) in 2026 Links Mentioned Systems in Session Email Like You Mean It Client Experience Audit 1:1 60-Min Strategy & Implementation Calls Ping Pong Offers Episode on Business-First Creatives My Tech Stack My Resources Offers I Invested In (aff links) Sold Out Services with Emylee Williams Dama on Demand with Dama Jue Missed the Memo with Hollie of Latitude Lane Sales Parade with Ceels Lockley Cashflow Confident (now Six Figure Safety) with Emilie Nutley Launch Your Own Way with Kelsey McCormick of Coming Up Roses Say Less Sales Messaging Sprint with Chelsea Quint Email Growth Club with Kylie Kelly

Why Clear Client Communication Is Non-Negotiable for a High-Touch Experience

2025/12/26

Today’s episode is a replay from a conversation that originally aired on the Capture the Chaos podcast with Brittnie Renee—and it perfectly captures this client communication shift I’ve been talking about more and more lately. We’re diving into why clear client communication should be non-negotiable if you want to deliver a truly high-touch experience. Not luxury for the sake of luxury—but an experience that feels intentional, professional, and confidence-building at every step. If your systems technically work but still require too much babysitting, this episode will help you understand why communication—not more automation—is usually the missing piece. In This Episode, We Talk About:Why fixing broken workflows alone doesn’t fix a poor client experienceHow email communication builds trust and connection throughout the processWhy clients need guidance even when your automation is workingThe difference between moving tasks forward and guiding people forwardHow clear communication supports a high-touch experience without adding more manual work Mentioned Links & ResourcesEmail Like You Mean It (Live 5-Day Client Communication Sprint - starts Feb 2nd): coliejames.com/emailListen to Capture the Chaos podcast: brittnierenee.com/capture-the-chaos-podcast

Podcast reviews

Read Business-First Creatives podcast reviews

5 out of 5

44 reviews

★★★★★

Eschebesta 2025/06/27

Actionable, smart advice for creatives trying to figure out their business game!

As a systems nerd myself, I love how Colie channels her inner systems and automation genius to bring us all clear, actionable advice about how to impr...

★★★★★

Brittany Herzberg 2024/06/30

Business Owners—Listen Up!

Not only have I enjoyed being a guest on the Business-First Creatives Podcast, I love listening to the show! Colie James does such a wonderful job of ...

★★★★★

Hayley372 2024/06/26

Colie is a class act!!

When starting a business, not only are you looking for ways to make it profitable

★★★★★

Quianna Marie 2024/06/24

VIBRANT EDUCATIONAL

Thank you Colie for sharing the Do’s and Don’t about business strategies as if we’re learning from a sister or best friend! The guests are always impr...

★★★★★

Breepair 2024/06/24

Love this ✨

This is a great podcast to learn tips on streamlining your business and keep it running effectively and smoothly. Colie always brings on really awesom...

★★★★★

ChristiJohnson17 2024/06/24

Business FIRST

I love that this podcast is all about the BUSINESS side of things. As creatives, it’s easy to get caught up in the creative side of things and forget ...

★★★★★

Joy Aleman 2024/03/25

So many gems 💎

I love being able to learn more about business while also feeling like it’s a casual conversation between friends over coffee!! This podcast is full o...

★★★★★

AkuaK_ 2024/03/25

Love this podcast!

Colie is such a great host and each guest gives such great tips on how to grow a sustainable business!

★★★★★

Haylee Gaffin 2024/03/25

No nonsense advice with tangible takeaways!

Colie is so great at taking transforming conversations into action steps with her guests! I always leave her episodes with more knowledge and action s...

★★★★★

dreacraftie28 2023/10/25

Colie James Appreciation Day

I may mark the day that i discovered Colie James as a holiday. Her content has not only been refreshing and funny, but just her relatability and genui...

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