The Studio Takeover Podcast

Cat Ford-Coates

The Studio Takeover podcast is about and for Portrait Photographers from all walks. Join host Cat Ford-Coates as she shares her journey and interviews other Portrait Photographers to learn how they navigate personal and professional challenges, their businesses, and their lives.

  1. The Power of Connecting Your Photography to Your Heart with Stef Graston

    25 AGO

    The Power of Connecting Your Photography to Your Heart with Stef Graston

    Send us a text Some transformations are born in quiet moments. Others are forged in fire. In this conversation with Stef Graston, we go far beyond the highlight reel of running a photography business. Stef shares her journey from building success in a small Colorado town, to starting over in Charlotte, NC — and facing setbacks that would make most people walk away. From losing her studio to navigating the raw grief of miscarriage, Stef’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and turning pain into profound purpose. You’ll hear: Why moving markets doesn’t guarantee success — and how to rebuild when your safety nets are goneThe hidden cost of “survival mode” and how it impacts creativity and growthThe power of connecting your work to your deepest values and lived experiencesHow The Nova Project is helping women process and honor miscarriage and child loss through art, storytelling, and communityWhy campaigns that are rooted in heart — not just revenue — can create both deep impact and sustainable businessThis episode is about more than photography or business strategy. It’s about reclaiming your story, creating meaning from what was meant to break you, and allowing your work to be an extension of your own healing. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a season of loss into a legacy — or if you’ve felt the pull to create something bigger than yourself — Stef’s journey will remind you that your next chapter can start right here, right now. Support the show

    58 min
  2. You're Already Worthy...Be Valuable with Lisa Zahiya

    21 ABR

    You're Already Worthy...Be Valuable with Lisa Zahiya

    Send us a text The intricate relationship between self-worth and business success is a path every business owner travels. Cat and Lisa explore how confidence in one's value impacts pricing strategies, the importance of building a business that can operate independently of personal emotions, and the necessity of continuous learning and feedback.  The discussion also touches on the evolving role of AI in creative industries, the significance of client education, and the need for accountability in overcoming challenges. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of authenticity and connection in business, advocating for a mindset that prioritizes growth and resilience over ego. Lisa Zahiya is a nationally known business strategist and life coach who helps: Business owners cultivate lives on their own terms; Mission-driven entrepreneurs make more and give more; Small business owners scale quickly through effective digital marketing and products. After receiving a BS and a MBA from the University of Maryland, Lisa served as a director of marketing at Sylvan Learning Centers.  "I had always dreamed of being a professional dancer and left my corporate career to pursue my dreams of dance. I opened the award-winning Studio Zahiya and traveled as a professional belly dance teacher and performer. I found that I enjoyed the community of body positivity, confidence, and success that Studio Zahiya created for my clients. I then furthered my goal of empowering others by training to be a life coach and opened a very successful coaching business. I I have now personally grown several seven-figure businesses reaching revenues of over 5 million dollars. I leverage this experience to help others pursue their dreams and have had six clients grow their businesses to over 1 million dollars in revenue." Lisa is based in New York, NY and El Gouna, Egypt, where she owns Lisa Zahiya Coaching. Support the show

    41 min
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The Studio Takeover podcast is about and for Portrait Photographers from all walks. Join host Cat Ford-Coates as she shares her journey and interviews other Portrait Photographers to learn how they navigate personal and professional challenges, their businesses, and their lives.

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