Almost Creative Podcast

Almost Creative

New Episode every Wednesday! Hey Creatives! Almost Creative is the podcast for creative entrepreneurs who are building a business that revolves around what they love. Hosts Travis & Christian dive deep into the realities of branding, marketing, and running a creative business. If you are a photographer, videographer, or any other creative trying to thrive and not just survive. Each bi-weekly episode features real talk, rants, and conversations with others who've turned passion into profit and can help you do the same. Stay Creative.

  1. The Truth About Running a Creative Business (30 Years of Experience) | Paul Nelhart

    APR 29

    The Truth About Running a Creative Business (30 Years of Experience) | Paul Nelhart

    In this episode, we sit down with Paul Nelhart, a growth consultant with 30+ years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development. But his real focus isn’t tactics—it’s people. We break down why so many creatives struggle to grow, not because of their skill, but because of identity, communication, and the way they approach their work. This conversation challenges how you think about business, self-awareness, and what it really takes to build something sustainable. In this episode, we cover: Why business is really about people, not tacticsThe identity trap creatives fall into“Covert contracts” and hidden expectationsWhy communication is often the biggest bottleneckWork-life balance vs entrepreneurial guiltBuilding a business that aligns with who you areTimestamps:0:00 Intro + Who is Paul Nelhart1:30 Paul’s background (30 years in business)3:30 What consulting actually means5:30 Identity vs work (creative struggle)8:30 Work-life balance vs entrepreneurial guilt11:30 Hobby vs career conflict13:00 The biggest struggle in business13:15 Covert contracts explained15:30 Real-world example (wedding story)21:00 Why communication drives growth27:00 Scaling, leadership, and letting go36:00 Systems, hiring, and delegation42:00 Growth plateaus + self-awareness48:00 Final advice + key takeaways If you want to better understand yourself as a creative, improve how you communicate with clients, and build a business that actually fits your life, this episode is packed with insights you can start applying immediately. Follow Almost Creative:Instagram: @almostcreativepodTravis: @trheberlingChris: @chrisshootsvideoYouTube: Almost Creative

    53 min
  2. Podcasts & Retainers: When Monthly Clients Make Sense "Niches are in the Riches" | EP 21

    JAN 28

    Podcasts & Retainers: When Monthly Clients Make Sense "Niches are in the Riches" | EP 21

    In this episode of The Almost Creative Podcast, we bring back our Riches in the Niches series and dive deep into one of the most talked-about topics in the creative industry: podcast retainers Retainer clients are often pitched online as the ultimate path to stability but are they actually the best move for videographers and creatives? We break down when retainers do make sense, when they don’t, and why podcasts are one of the few niches where recurring work can truly work long-term.💬 Inside this episode:✅ Why retainers aren’t a “golden bullet” for every creative✅ What types of industries actually benefit from monthly content✅ How podcasts naturally lend themselves to retainer relationships✅ How we package and price podcast work (real numbers included)✅ Why consistency, availability, and niche matter more than hype✅ How podcasters can monetize beyond views (affiliates, sponsors, relationships)✅ Gear, setup, and workflow considerations for sustainable podcast productionIf you’re a videographer, filmmaker, or creative thinking about offering retainers — or being pushed by online gurus to chase them — this episode brings real-world clarity from creators actually doing the work 📌 Timestamps00:00 – Intro ( Riches in the Niches)02:52 – Retainers vs One-Off Projects06:12 – When Retainers Don’t Make Sense08:24 – The Reality of Retainer Income13:07 – How We Price Podcast Production22:18 – When It’s Okay to Outgrow Clients24:13 – How Podcasts Actually Make Money30:11 – Our Recommended Podcast Gear Setup35:25 – YoloBox Extreme vs Other Switchers36:41 – Final Takeaways & Recap📲 Follow Us🎙️ Podcast: @almostcreativepod📸 Travis: @trheberling📸 Chris: @chrisshootsvideo📺 YouTube: Almost Creative🎁 Free Tools & Resources📄 FREE Pricing Template → https://bit.ly/wedding-pricing-template🎧 Music (SoundStripe) → https://soundstripe.com?fpr=almostcre...🎬 Wedding Day Kit → https://kit.co/trheberling/wedding-video💡 Lighting Kit → https://kit.co/trheberling/lighting✂️ AI Clipping Tool (Opus) → https://www.opus.pro/?via=almostcreative📋 CRM (17 Hats) → https://referrals.17hats.com/?r=gspzs📌 Subscribe for more conversations on creative business, niches, and building work that lasts. Follow us on Instagram @almostcreativepod for new episodes and behind-the-scenes content.

    38 min

About

New Episode every Wednesday! Hey Creatives! Almost Creative is the podcast for creative entrepreneurs who are building a business that revolves around what they love. Hosts Travis & Christian dive deep into the realities of branding, marketing, and running a creative business. If you are a photographer, videographer, or any other creative trying to thrive and not just survive. Each bi-weekly episode features real talk, rants, and conversations with others who've turned passion into profit and can help you do the same. Stay Creative.