Business-First Creatives

Colie James
  • 0.0 (0)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. Everything You’re Overthinking About Systems in Session

    1 DAY AGO

    Everything You’re Overthinking About Systems in Session

    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 for years?Is this a course or true one-to-one support?How much time will this actually take?Can we build more than one offer?What if I’ve worked with you before? This episode answers all of it. You’ll hear exactly what Systems in Session includes, how the 60-day done-with-you Dubsado setup works, and why most of my clients are not beginners — they’re experienced service providers who are tired of babysitting their backend. Because this isn’t about learning more tech. It’s about building high-touch, low-effort systems that make your premium offers easy to book, effortless to deliver, and impossible to forget. If you’ve ever: Checked Dubsado at 2amHesitated to raise your prices because your backend feels fragileAvoided selling because delivery still feels manualFantasized about sending a proposal and getting paid within minutes This episode is for you. What You’ll Learn (AKA The Questions I’m Answering) Is Systems in Session only for Dubsado users?I’ve had Dubsado for years — do I still need this?Is Systems in Session a course, a group program, or true one-to-one support?How much time does this actually take each week?What happens if I don’t “finish” in 60 days?Can we build more than one offer inside this container?I’ve worked with you before — do I still need Systems in Session?How do I prepare before we start? If you’ve ever: Checked Dubsado at 2amHesitated to raise your prices because your backend feels fragileAvoided selling because delivery still feels manualFantasized about sending a proposal and getting paid within minutes This episode will help you decide your next move. Links Mentionedspan class="ql-ui"...

    16 min
  2. Is Systems in Session just for Photographers?

    1 DAY AGO

    Is Systems in Session just for Photographers?

    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 stationery designer, a marketing specialist, and a website designer), and why the five core workflow phases—Inquiry, Booking, Onboarding, Service & Delivery, and Offboarding—apply no matter what you sell. Because while the service may change, the client journey doesn’t. If you’ve been wondering whether Systems in Session would work for you, even if you don’t take photos for a living, this episode is for you. Learn more at coliejames.com/systems

    5 min
  3. Your Offer Isn’t Too Custom for Systems

    1 DAY AGO

    Your Offer Isn’t Too Custom for Systems

    “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 logisticallyThe difference between customization and infrastructure problemsWhy rebuilding proposals and contracts from scratch isn’t “high-touch” — it’s fragileHow to create systems that are 80% structured and 20% personalized (without losing the magic) Your art might be custom. The process around selling and delivering it does not have to be rebuilt every single time. If your backend only works when you remember every step… that’s not premium. It’s risky. And if you’re ready for high-touch, low-effort systems that match your premium offers? Learn more about Systems in Session here: 👉 https://coliejames.com/systems

    7 min

  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    Am I Loving Notion? (Or Do I Miss Airtable?)

    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 becoming the bottleneck. I’m sharing what’s working, what surprised me, and how it actually feels to wake up and not have marketing on my to-do list — while everything still moves forward. If you love behind-the-scenes updates, this one’s for you. Also Mentioned: Systems in Session (Now Booking for Q2) Email Like You Mean It (next live sprint: April 6-10) Ania my Notion Expert Chelsea my Fractional CMO

    10 min
  5. Why Your Client Experience Is Costing You Money with Emily Mathis

    6 DAYS AGO

    Why Your Client Experience Is Costing You Money with Emily Mathis

    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. Emily hasn’t outsourced much in her own business, and that’s exactly what makes her perspective powerful. Instead of defaulting to hiring help, she focuses on tightening the backend, improving delivery, and fixing what most business owners ignore: the messy middle. If you’re always chasing new leads but ignoring the people already inside your container, this conversation might change how you grow your business. Mentioned in this Episode Breanna Owen: owenyourmark.com Episode 256 with Breanna Owen: coliejames.com/using-human-design-to-transform-your-business-strategy-with-breanna-owen Episode 224 with Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober: coliejames.com/how-the-enneagram-can-supercharge-your-self-awareness-with-ashton-whitmoyer-ober Systems in Session: coliejames.com/systems-in-session Connect with Emily Website: emilymathis.co Instagram: instagram.com/emilymathis.co

    55 min
  6. Build It Yourself and Own It Forever: Confidence in Your CRM with David Enloe

    12 FEB

    Build It Yourself and Own It Forever: Confidence in Your CRM with David Enloe

    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 Enloe to chat through his experience inside of Systems in Session, the program that (as he puts it) empowers you to build your own process and be a part of it. We talk through how one conversation turned a vague idea into a structured offer, how David’s HoneyBook setup evolved, and why confidence is what most creatives really need. Find It Quickly 01:05 - The Origin Story of Systems in Session05:19 - Why Now? Timing the Workflow Overhaul06:52 - Confidence Over Automation08:17 - The Power of Strategic Prep Work10:44 - Rebuilding After HoneyBook 2.012:59 - From Beta Build to Assistant Onboarding18:20 - Should You Include Your Virtual Assistant?21:31 - What Changed in David’s Business24:48 - Evolving the Client Journey26:58 - How the Program Has Changed Since32:22 - Final Advice from David34:55 - The 3 R’s: Reviews, Referrals, Repeat Clients Mentioned in this Episode Systems in Session: coliejames.com/systems-in-sessionEpisode 241: Systems in Session ft. Erin Belles: coliejames.com/done-with-you-dubsado-setup-case-study Connect with David Website: theenloecreative.com

    37 min
  7. Why Done-With-You Systems are a Game-Changer with Emily Sterne

    6 FEB

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

    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

    41 min
  8. Why Pretty Proposals Close Sales Faster (But Yours Aren't Working)

    4 FEB

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

    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

    10 min
See All (290)

Trailer

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Colie James
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    290
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Business-First Creatives | Colie James
  • Show Website
    Business-First Creatives

You Might Also Like