Scaling Out Loud

Catalina Bloch
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Scaling Out Loud The Photo Booth Business Podcast for 6-Figure Founders Ready to Break the 7-Figure Ceiling If you’re a 6-figure photo booth business owner stuck in the "Chief Everything Officer" role, juggling bookings, managing tech headaches, and feeling crushed under your own success, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Catalina Bloch, founder of MDRN Activations, MDRN Photobooth Co., and creator of Photo Booth Mastery, Scaling Out Loud pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to grow from six to seven figures without burning out in the process. Catalina’s not just talking theory. She’s actively running a 7-figure booth brand while helping hundreds of founders do the same. Each episode is packed with strategy, real-world insights, and unfiltered lessons that speak directly to photo booth entrepreneurs. Inside, you’ll learn how to: • Systemize your business and step out of the weeds • Attract and close high-ticket corporate and wedding clients • Raise your prices confidently and profitably • Build a team you can actually trust • Turn hustle into strategy without losing your edge No recycled advice from other industries. No vague "just work harder" mindset. Just real talk from someone who's built what you’re building and isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said. If you're ready to trade chaos for clarity and bookings for bigger opportunities, hit subscribe and follow Catalina on Instagram @photoboothmastery. Your next level doesn’t start with more work. It starts with listening.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    What If You Could Attend Your Own Funeral

    What if you could attend your own funeral?  Not literally. But metaphorically—watching the version of yourself that built this business be laid to rest while you stand there, mourning and celebrating them at the same time. I know that sounds heavy. Maybe even a little dark. But stay with me, because this might be the most important conversation we have all year. That scrappy hustler who said yes to everything? Who worked until 2am, drove the van, set up the booth, ran the event, and did it all over again the next day? That person willed your business into existence when there was nothing there. That person deserves recognition. Respect. A standing ovation. But that person also needs to die. Because the version of you that got you to six figures is exactly the same version that's keeping you stuck there. And until you're willing to attend that funeral—to actually grieve them and say goodbye—you will never become who you need to be to get to seven figures and beyond. This isn't about working harder. It's not about another system or strategy. This is about evolution. And evolution requires death and rebirth. You have to be present for both. Today we're talking about why personal development isn't some woo luxury—it's the only thing that actually matters. We're diving into the specific ceiling most founders hit (spoiler: it's around $200-250K), why the hustler identity becomes your biggest limitation, and what it actually looks like to stand at your own funeral and let go of the version of yourself that's holding you back. If you're stuck doing everything yourself, wondering when this business will finally give you the freedom you signed up for, this episode is your invitation to the funeral. Your own funeral. And you need to RSVP yes. What You'll Learn: Why the skills that got you to six figures are now the exact thing keeping you stuck The specific revenue ceiling where hustle stops working (and what to do about it) How to recognize when you're the bottleneck—and why that's actually your fault The brutal truth about why your business will never outgrow you without inner work What it actually means to attend your own funeral and watch the hustler die How to grieve the old version of yourself while becoming who your business needs you to be Why self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and self-control are your real competitive advantages The practical steps to evolve from Chief Everything Officer to actual CEO How to give yourself permission to change without feeling like you're losing your edge Resources Mentioned: Personality assessments mentioned: Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, PRINT, DISC, Working Genius, Human Design Your Next Steps: Work with Me: https://bit.ly/POD-Site Join Photo Booth Mastery Hub - https://bit.ly/POD-Hub Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery

    30 min

  2. FEB 5

    Photo Booth Expo Shopping? Ask These 5 Questions First.

    Photo Booth Expo Shopping? Ask These 5 Questions First. Photo Booth Expo is coming up, and if you're anything like me a few years ago, you're already mentally spending money on that shiny new booth in Aisle 3. The demos look incredible. The sales reps are convincing. Everyone around you is talking about what they're going to buy. And that voice in your head starts whispering: "This is the booth that's going to change everything." But here's what I wish someone had told me before I dropped thousands at my first expo: That equipment high you're feeling? It wears off about three months after the purchase, right around the time you realize you've booked the new booth twice and it's sitting in your garage collecting dust next to the OTHER booth you bought at last year's expo. I've been there. I've made the expensive mistakes. I've bought equipment I didn't need, couldn't keep booked, and eventually sold at a massive loss. But I've also learned exactly which questions to ask BEFORE swiping my card—questions that have saved me literally tens of thousands of dollars in equipment I almost bought but didn't. In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact 5-question framework I use before any equipment purchase. These aren't the questions the sales reps want you to ask. They're the ones that separate strategic investments from expensive mistakes. Because here's the truth: more equipment doesn't equal more bookings. It equals more complexity, more training headaches, and way more cash tied up in gear that's not making you money. What You'll Learn: The 5 critical questions to ask yourself before buying ANY photo booth equipment (especially at Photo Booth Expo where the pressure to buy is intense) Why buying multiple booth types actually makes it HARDER to scale your team (and what to do instead) The "15-Booking Test" that instantly reveals whether equipment will make you money or drain your resources How to calculate the TRUE cost of equipment (hint: it's way more than the sticker price) Why training complexity is the hidden killer of photo booth businesses trying to scale What to look for in equipment demos that sales reps won't tell you How to maximize profit from the equipment you already own before buying anything new The exact red flags that signal you're about to make an emotional purchase, not a strategic one What to do if you've already accumulated too much gear (yes, there's a way forward)   Your Next Steps: Work with Me: https://bit.ly/POD-Site Join Photo Booth Mastery Hub: https://bit.ly/POD-Hub Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery

    26 min

  3. JAN 29

    The Wedding Market Hierarchy Nobody Talks About

    If you've ever wondered why your wedding inquiries aren't converting, this episode is your answer. Here's the truth: saying you "do weddings" tells potential clients absolutely nothing. It's like running a restaurant and saying you serve "food." Cool. So does everyone else. The wedding industry isn't one big market. It's a hierarchy of five completely different tiers, each with their own clients, expectations, and rules. A $15,000 backyard wedding and a $250,000 luxury estate wedding aren't the same business. They're not even in the same universe. And yet, most photo booth companies are trying to market to all of them at once. Budget couples think you're too expensive. Luxury couples think you're too cheap. Nobody knows where you actually fit, so nobody books with confidence. In this episode, Catalina breaks down the five-tier wedding market framework and shows you exactly how to identify which tier you're accidentally attracting right now—and more importantly, how to strategically position yourself for the tier you actually want to serve. This is the exact framework she used to build a multiple six-figure wedding division that runs on automation, attracts dream clients, and requires zero convincing or negotiating. What You'll Learn: The 5 tiers of the wedding market and what makes each one fundamentally different Why "affordable" and "best deal" language is killing your ability to attract premium clients The exact positioning shifts that signal to luxury couples you're their vendor How to audit your portfolio, pricing, and partnerships to stop attracting the wrong tier Why trying to serve all tiers keeps you stuck with thin margins and constant negotiation The homework to do this week to start repositioning for your target tier Your Next Steps: Work with Me: https://bit.ly/POD-Site Join Photo Booth Mastery Hub - https://bit.ly/POD-Hub Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery

    21 min

  4. JAN 22

    The Pricing Mistakes Nobody Taught You to Avoid

    You've been pricing wrong this whole time. And I'm not talking about mindset, I'm talking about actual math. Let's get real. When you started your photo booth business, nobody handed you a pricing playbook. So you did what everyone does, you googled it at 2 AM, copied what other companies were charging, and hoped for the best. You looked at your costs, added a little on top, and crossed your fingers. Your brain was just trying to find the easiest answer. And that makes sense when you're starting out. But here's the brutal truth: that instinct, that "easy answer" your brain defaulted to? It's probably wrong. And it's costing you tens of thousands of dollars every single year. Because pricing a creative service isn't like pricing a product. It's not cost plus markup. It's not your desired income divided by the number of events you want to do. Those formulas work for physical products. They don't work for what we do. And the worst part? Most of us don't realize we're using a broken formula until we hit six figures, we're fully booked, posting wins on Instagram, and wondering why we're still broke. So today, I'm breaking down the five biggest pricing mistakes that six-figure photo booth founders make. These aren't soft mindset issues. These are concrete, tactical mistakes in how you're calculating your price. Mistakes your brain defaults to because you were never taught how to price the right way. What You'll Learn: Why charging based on guest count is leaving thousands on the table (and what to base your price on instead) The hidden costs you're forgetting when you price by the hour (spoiler: it's not just your time at the event) What anchor pricing is and why not having it means you're making up numbers every single day Why your expertise is worth more than you think (and how to actually price for it) How to stop obsessing over what other companies charge and start focusing on your own value The exact framework for calculating your true costs (not just your obvious ones) What to do when clients compare you to companies charging a third of your price This episode will make you rethink everything about how you price your services. And if you recognize yourself in even one of these mistakes, you're about to find out exactly how much money you've been leaving on the table. Resources Mentioned: Join the Monthly Coaching Call - January 26th: https://photoboothmastery.catalinabloch.com/offers/mBozxsWy/checkout  Your Next Steps: Work with Me: https://bit.ly/POD-Site Join Photo Booth Mastery Hub: https://bit.ly/POD-Hub Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery

    25 min

  5. JAN 15

    How to Run Your Business in One Hour a Day

    If you're still manually chasing leads at 11 PM, copying and pasting the same email for the fifteenth time this week, or worse, forgetting to send invoices because you're just too busy, this episode might be worth half a million dollars to you. No exaggeration. Catalina gets brutally honest about the single system that saved her over $500,000 in staffing costs over the past decade. And it's not sexy. It's not a secret pricing hack or a viral marketing strategy. It's a CRM system, used the right way. Back in 2014, Catalina was drowning in her first six-figure year, managing everything from a personal Gmail account and a Google spreadsheet. Leads mixed with spam. Follow-ups lived in her phone reminders. Invoices got forgotten. It was absolute chaos. Then she discovered what a properly set up CRM could actually do, and everything changed. She went from working through lunch breaks and weekends to managing her entire business in one hour a day. But here's what most booth owners get wrong: they either buy the cheapest CRM they can find and wonder why it doesn't work, or they invest in a good one and only use 10% of its features. Both mistakes cost you time, money, and sanity. In this episode, Catalina breaks down exactly what your CRM should be doing for you (spoiler: way more than storing contacts), the five workflows you need to automate right now, and why "I'll set it up later" is costing you thousands every single month you wait. What You'll Learn: Why the "cheap CRM" is actually the most expensive choice you'll make The exact five workflows that save Catalina hours every single week How to make your CRM replace an entire admin employee Why most booth owners only use 10% of their CRM's power (and how to fix it) The real cost of waiting to automate your business What to look for when choosing a CRM that can actually grow with you How automation creates the foundation for a business that doesn't need you 24/7 Your Next Steps: Work with Me: https://bit.ly/POD-Site  Join Photo Booth Mastery Hub - https://bit.ly/POD-Hub Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery

    22 min

  6. JAN 8

    If They Haven't Done It, Stop Listening to Them

    If you've ever felt confused by conflicting business advice, or worse, followed guidance from someone who's never actually done what you're trying to do, this episode is your wake-up call. Catalina gets brutally honest about one of the biggest mistakes photo booth founders make: taking advice from people who haven't earned the right to give it. Whether it's the hobbyist in your local online community, the influencer who's never run a seven-figure business, or even well-meaning friends who don't understand your industry, bad advice is costing you time, money, and momentum. This episode breaks down exactly how to vet the people you're listening to, why proximity matters more than you think, and how to stop letting other people's limiting beliefs become your ceiling. Catalina shares real stories from her own journey, including the moment she realized she was surrounded by the wrong voices, and gives you a clear framework for deciding whose advice actually deserves your attention. If you're tired of spinning your wheels on strategies that don't work, or feeling like everyone has an opinion but no one has results, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on the mentors, peers, and guidance that will actually move your business forward. What You'll Learn: Why taking advice from people who aren't where you want to be is keeping you stuck The power of proximity and why surrounding yourself with the right people changes everything How to filter out opinions from people who don't understand your goals or have your results Why investing in paid mentorship and coaching accelerates your growth How to build your circle based on results, not just relatability Resources Mentioned: Photo Booth Mastery Hub https://bit.ly/POD-Hub Catalina's Instagram: @photoboothmastery Your Next Steps: Work with Me: https://bit.ly/POD-Site Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery

    26 min

  7. 2025-12-31

    2026 Photo Booth Industry Forecast

    Everyone's losing their minds trying to figure out what's next for 2026. Which booth to buy, which trend to chase, which shiny new thing will make them relevant. And if you're honest, you've probably felt the FOMO creeping in too. Here's the truth: most of what you're seeing hyped up right now is noise. Pure noise. And if you're not careful, you're about to drop serious money chasing trends that don't actually matter while completely missing the shifts that could make or break your business this year. I'm cutting through all of it today. No recycled listicles from 2022. No regurgitated garbage. Just what's actually changing in the photo booth industry, what's just hype, and where the real money is hiding in 2026. We're diving deep into AI booths and why corporate clients are suddenly pulling back. We're talking about the massive comeback of enclosed booths and why they're giving me serious 2018 vibes. We're getting into luxury weddings versus corporate budgets. And yes, we're absolutely talking about Taylor Swift's wedding because whatever photo booth she picks, the entire world is going to want it. This isn't about chasing every trend. It's about knowing the difference between a fad and a fundamental shift so you can invest smart, operate lean, and scale without the chaos. What You'll Learn: Why AI booths are shifting from wild transformations to photorealistic enhancements and what that means for your booking strategy The two big reasons corporate clients are pulling back on AI (privacy and consistency) and how to address their concerns Why enclosed booths are making a massive comeback for both weddings and corporate and where the real money is The controversial truth about wedding-only businesses and why you're leaving six figures on the table if you're not adding corporate My exact 2026 investment strategy and why operational simplicity beats variety every single time How celebrity weddings set trends that trickle down fast and why you need to watch what's happening at the top of the market The difference between a fad and a shift so you can invest in what actually matters Your Next Steps: Work with Me: https://www.photoboothmastery.catalinabloch.com Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery

    17 min

  8. 2025-12-31

    Why Charging More Won't Fix Your Business

    You're undercharging. And no, it's not because you lack confidence or don't "know your worth." That's what everyone tells you, right? Just charge more. Believe in yourself. Fake it till you make it. But here's the truth: undercharging isn't a mindset problem. It's a systems problem. In this episode, I'm breaking down the real reasons photo booth owners leave thousands of dollars on the table—and spoiler alert, it has nothing to do with your self-esteem. It's about unclear offers, fear-based pricing structures, and a complete failure to communicate the actual value you're delivering. I've seen this pattern play out hundreds of times. Business owners who are talented, experienced, and delivering exceptional work... charging basement prices because they don't have the infrastructure to support premium pricing. They're winging it with every quote, guessing at numbers, and hoping clients will say yes. That stops today. You'll learn exactly why you're stuck in the undercharging cycle and—more importantly—how to break out of it. We're talking about the difference between selling "a photo booth" versus selling a branded experience that drives ROI. We're talking about productizing your offers so clients can actually understand what they're buying. And we're talking about why premium clients aren't rejecting you because of price—they're rejecting you because you're not speaking their language. This isn't about charging more just because. It's about understanding what you actually deliver, building offers that reflect that value, and positioning yourself so the right clients understand why you're worth it. What You'll Learn: Why "just charge more" advice is complete garbage and what's actually keeping you stuck at low prices The three real reasons photo booth owners undercharge (hint: none of them are about confidence) How unclear offers are costing you thousands per booking without you even realizing it The difference between selling "a photo booth" and selling client transformation Why premium clients ghost you after seeing your pricing (and it's not because you're too expensive) The exact framework for structuring offers that justify premium pricing How to stop competing on price and start competing on value Why your pricing needs to be backed by systems, not just courage The ROI conversation that makes corporate clients stop caring about your price tag How to move from reactive quoting to strategic pricing that scales your business Resources Mentioned: Photo Booth Mastery Hub - Thrive (for 30K-6 figure founders): https://photoboothmastery.catalinabloch.com/the-photo-booth-mastery-hub Connect with Catalina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery Your Next Steps: Work with Me: https://www.photoboothmastery.catalinabloch.com Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery

    19 min

  9. 2025-12-31

    CEO or Chief Everything Officer? Yeah… We Gotta Talk.

    If you're running a six or multi-six-figure photo booth business but still doing everything yourself—from packing gear and chasing down staff to answering every client email—this episode is your wake-up call. You're not the CEO. Not yet. You're the Chief Everything Officer. And that title comes with stress, resentment, and a ceiling you can't scale past. I know this one stings a little. But I say it with love because I've been there. I lived there. I thrived there for way too long. I was the one designing overlays at midnight, testing equipment whenever I could find a minute, writing follow-up emails from my desk during lunch breaks at my corporate job, and replying to inquiries while at brunch with my family on Sunday mornings. I was the engine, the wheels, the gas, and the GPS—all fueled by gut feeling. And I kept telling myself, "It's fine. It's just what it takes." Spoiler alert: it's not. What got you here won't get you to the next level. Most of the time, you've built something amazing but trapped yourself inside of it. This episode isn't meant to make you feel like a failure—because you're not. You're probably booked solid. You've got leads. You're making amazing money. But you're also tired, anxious, stretched thin, and maybe a little resentful of the business that was supposed to give you freedom. Deep down, you know this isn't sustainable. Not physically, not financially, not emotionally. In this episode, I'm walking you through the invisible trap so many founders fall into: building a business that only works if you are doing everything. I'll break down why success often feels like punishment at this stage, and how the very hustle that got you here is now the thing keeping you stuck. You'll hear real talk about control, fear, and the sneaky ego boost that comes from being the one who "does it all." But more importantly? You'll learn exactly how to break out of it. Because you don't need another late night. You need leverage. You need systems. You need to start building something that works even when you're not glued to it 24/7. What You'll Learn: Why doing it all yourself is no longer the flex you think it is The paradox of growth: why being fully booked doesn't mean you're scalable How control and ego sneak in and stall your growth without you realizing it What's actually keeping you stuck (hint: it's not your team) The five-step framework to start replacing yourself in the areas that drain you most Why perfectionism isn't about doing it your way—it's about defining the outcome How to shift from "Chief Everything Officer" to real CEO language and mindset Why time freedom isn't just about rest—it's a profit multiplier This episode is your permission slip to stop glorifying overwork and start building like a real CEO. You'll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a step-by-step plan to start getting out of the weeds without breaking the business you've worked so hard to build. Your Next Steps:Get the profit calculator and see if you are profitable: https://photoboothmastery.catalinabloch.com/the-photo-booth-pricing-blueprint-profitability-cheat-sheet Work with Me: https://www.photoboothmastery.catalinabloch.com Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery

    26 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Scaling Out Loud The Photo Booth Business Podcast for 6-Figure Founders Ready to Break the 7-Figure Ceiling If you’re a 6-figure photo booth business owner stuck in the "Chief Everything Officer" role, juggling bookings, managing tech headaches, and feeling crushed under your own success, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Catalina Bloch, founder of MDRN Activations, MDRN Photobooth Co., and creator of Photo Booth Mastery, Scaling Out Loud pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to grow from six to seven figures without burning out in the process. Catalina’s not just talking theory. She’s actively running a 7-figure booth brand while helping hundreds of founders do the same. Each episode is packed with strategy, real-world insights, and unfiltered lessons that speak directly to photo booth entrepreneurs. Inside, you’ll learn how to: • Systemize your business and step out of the weeds • Attract and close high-ticket corporate and wedding clients • Raise your prices confidently and profitably • Build a team you can actually trust • Turn hustle into strategy without losing your edge No recycled advice from other industries. No vague "just work harder" mindset. Just real talk from someone who's built what you’re building and isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said. If you're ready to trade chaos for clarity and bookings for bigger opportunities, hit subscribe and follow Catalina on Instagram @photoboothmastery. Your next level doesn’t start with more work. It starts with listening.

Information

  • Creator
    Catalina Bloch
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 MDRN Creative Group Inc.
  • Show Website
    Scaling Out Loud

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