Business-First Creatives

Colie James
  • 5.0 (44)
  • 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. 3 Ways Your Systems Can Generate More Revenue in Your Business

    1D AGO

    3 Ways Your Systems Can Generate More Revenue in Your Business

    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. Most creatives think of systems as organization tools. Something that saves time, reduces stress, or keeps things from slipping through the cracks. And while that’s true… systems can also directly impact how much money your business actually generates. So in this episode, I’m walking you through three ways your systems can help you generate more revenue this year — without simply trying to book more clients. In this episode, we cover:Why raising your prices becomes easier when your client experience actually supports itHow messy onboarding and inconsistent communication can make photographers hesitate to charge moreThe hidden capacity ceiling that happens when you’re manually managing every part of your client processHow structured workflows allow you to serve more clients without increasing your workloadWhy repeat clients are often the fastest path to additional revenueThe simple system touchpoints that turn one booking into referrals, testimonials, and future rebookings Mentioned in This Episode Episode 296 - The Best Financial Strategy for a Sustainable Business is Overflow with Emilie Nutley Systems in Session - coliejames.com/systems

    9 min
  2. The Best Financial Strategy for a Sustainable Business is Overflow with Emilie Nutley

    3D AGO

    The Best Financial Strategy for a Sustainable Business is Overflow with Emilie Nutley

    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 competitors, why revenue is not the same as take-home pay, and how to build a business that brings you both joy and a paycheck. If you’ve ever had inconsistent income months, questioned your pricing, or treated your business like an ATM, this episode is for you. Find It Quickly 01:19 – Meet Emilie Nutley 03:16 – How Much Do You Want to Pay Yourself? 04:37 – Revenue Goal ÷ Capacity = Price 05:41 – Need vs. Want: What Do You Actually Have to Pay Yourself? 06:11 – The Bare Bones Budget Explained 09:05 – The Restrict/Binge Cycle with Money 16:10 – What “Overflow” Is and Why It Matters 18:41 – Profit Isn’t the End: What Happens After Profit 21:40 – Using Overflow to Make Strategic Decisions 24:20 – Overflow & Growth Decisions (Hiring, Investing, Time Off) 25:11 – Revenue-Generating Hires vs. Expense Investments 26:43 – The Simple Overflow Spreadsheet 28:36 – Stop Living Month-to-Month in Your Business 29:42 – The Habit of Paying Yourself Consistently 33:08 – How Much Should You Be Saving? 38:33 – The Freedom of Owning a Business 40:46 – Focus on Your Signature Offer First 44:17 – Thinking Long-Term: Retirement & Future Planning Connect with Emilie Website: emilienutley.co.uk Instagram: instagram.com/emilienutley Youtube: youtube.com/@fundthedamnlife

    47 min
  3. Before the Inquiries Roll In: 3 Systems to Fix Now

    5D AGO

    Before the Inquiries Roll In: 3 Systems to Fix Now

    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… and even harder to justify raising your prices. In this episode, Colie breaks down three essential systems every creative service provider should have in place before busy season begins. These systems help you book clients faster, create a smoother client experience, and build long-term relationships that lead to referrals, reviews, and repeat business. And the best part? When these systems are working well, raising your prices becomes a natural outcome—not a scary decision. In This Episode• Why waiting until slow season to raise your prices often backfires • How a faster inquiry and booking process increases booking confidence for both you and your clients • The role your client communication plays in building trust before, during, and after the service • How better delivery and offboarding leads to reviews, referrals, and repeat clients • Why preparing these systems now makes it easier to raise your prices once you're partially booked Mentioned in This EpisodeEpisode 215: The Confidence Loop Systems in Session- https://coliejames.com/systems

    7 min
  4. Going From Side Hustle to Structured Business Starts With Better Emails with Christi Dorsey

    MAR 5

    Going From Side Hustle to Structured Business Starts With Better Emails with Christi Dorsey

    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 her consulting company, Taste Symmetry, for over a decade. But as her business evolved, her systems and client communication needed to evolve with it. That’s when she joined Email Like You Mean It to overhaul her customer journey and finally build backend systems that matched the elevated experience on her new website. Find It Quickly 00:24 - Meet Christi Dorsey 03:21 - From nutrition degrees to global food safety work 07:20 - The “1099 Queen” 10:18 - Why she decided to expand her business again 11:40 - Why she joined Email Like You Mean It 15:13 - Her Foundation Experience offer explained 23:00 - Rewriting her client emails from scratch 25:47 - The offboarding email and the power of repeat business 29:03 - What she’s working on next in her systems 40:05 - Why “my emails are fine” might be holding you back Mentioned in this Episode Email Like You Mean It Systems in Session Connect with Christi Website: tastesymmetry.com Instagram: @tastesymmetry LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/taste-symmetry Mentioned in this Episode Email Like You Mean It Systems in Session Connect with Christi Website: tastesymmetry.com Instagram: @tastesymmetry LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/taste-symmetry

    44 min
  5. Why We Design First (and How to Decide Between Email Like You Mean It and Systems in Session)

    MAR 3

    Why We Design First (and How to Decide Between Email Like You Mean It and Systems in Session)

    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 journey comes before toolsWhat happens when you skip client experience designHow communication protects your boundaries (and increases revenue)The real difference between Email Like You Mean It and Systems in SessionHow to decide which offer is right for you right now Whether you’re ready to build full systems or you need to start with planning and communication, the order never changes: Client experience design first. Client communication second. Systems and automation last. Resources mentioned: Client Experience Series (episode 195-198)Systems in Session → coliejames.com/systemsEmail Like You Mean It → coliejames.com/email

    13 min
  6. What Happened When I Turned Email Like You Mean It Into a Live Sprint

    MAR 1

    What Happened When I Turned Email Like You Mean It Into a Live Sprint

    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: Why your CRM doesn’t actually matter when mapping your client communicationWhat happened when Systems in Session clients completed ELYMI before kickoffHow daily live feedback changed the pace of implementationWhat I’m adding (and standardizing) for the April sprintWhy I’m keeping this offer intentionally small (and intimate) If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to build in public, test a new delivery model, or evolve an offer quickly — this is the honest behind-the-scenes. And if you want to join me for the next run of Email Like You Mean It, there are 10 spots available (and one is already gone). Details → coliejames.com/email

    13 min
  7. Why Every Creative Entrepreneur Needs Systems to Thrive with Megan Smith

    FEB 26

    Why Every Creative Entrepreneur Needs Systems to Thrive with Megan Smith

    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. While she wasn't focused on getting more clients, she wanted more confidence and excitement around the experience she was delivering. Yet within 48 hours of installing one simple piece of infrastructure, she booked a client and earned back half her investment. Find It Quickly 00:32 – Meet Megan 03:32 – How Her Systems Held Her Back 09:31 – The ROI of Systems 11:57 – Building a Unique Booking System 18:55 – Creating Confidence 19:27 – Raising Prices 24:29 – Automations 27:34 – Expanding Offers by Duplicating Systems 30:06 – Marketing Meets Infrastructure 34:20 – No Quick Fix in Business 46:59 – The 3 R’s: Rave Reviews, Referrals & Repeat Clients Connect with Megan Website: megansmithstressless.com Instagram: instagram.com/megansmithstressless

    48 min
  8. Everything You’re Overthinking About Systems in Session

    FEB 24

    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 MentionedSystems in Session → coliejames.com/systemsEmail Like You Mean It Sprint → coliejames.com/emailEpisode 289: Is Systems in Session Only for Photographers?

    16 min
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Trailer

5
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44 Ratings

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
    297
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Business-First Creatives | Colie James
  • Show Website
    Business-First Creatives

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