The Rhea Whitney Podcast Rhea Whitney

Business Finance 101
Every business owner wants to make money and make a difference. Money is a tool that helps us do more, reach more people, and create the lives we want. The more we focus on our finances and our business, the better we get at making a profit. You can start small and improve your money skills over time by setting goals and being more aware of your finances.

When considering financial matters for your business, there are several key points to keep in mind. Firstly, it's crucial to maintain a separate business checking account, distinct from your personal finances. This differentiation is vital, especially during tax season, for write-offs and accessing business-related benefits. Additionally, effective bookkeeping is essential. This involves regularly reconciling your financial records, whether weekly or monthly. By implementing these practices early on, you can streamline financial processes as your business expands. As your income and expenses grow more complex, adopting sound financial practices becomes increasingly beneficial, alleviating potential burdens in the future.

Other business essentials include having a tax escrow account, saving for your business, and having a system for managing your business cash flow. Want to hear more about this? Tune in to Business Finance 101 with Rhea Whitney. 

 

What You Will Learn:

[00:01] Intro and what’s in for you in this episode
[02:16] Essentials of a good business financial health
[02:30] Why you need a business checking account
[03:11] Why a business checking account is a cornerstone of Business 101
[05:10] Bookkeeping
[06:12] A good bookkeeping and accounting solution for small businesses
[06:58] Business taxes and how to best handle them
[10:08] Create a system in your business that helps you manage cashflow the best way
[12:06] A necessary mindset  shift from a 9-5 job for every entrepreneur
[14:39] A quick recap
[16:31] Wrap up and end of the show

 

Standout Quotes:

“The goal of every business owner is to make profits and make an impact.”- Rhea [01:08]
 “Money is a resource and a tool to do more and impact more, reach more, and create our desired lifestyle.”- Rhea [14:20]
“You should never mix your business revenue with your personal finances. It is muddy when it comes to tax time, write-offs, or getting some business benefits. - Rhea [03:11]
“The sooner you start incorporating bookkeeping and good financial practices into your business, the easier it will be down the road. This is because as your business grows, your income and expenses also grow, and things become more complicated or cumbersome.”- Rhea [05:48]

Resources Mentioned

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: https://mikemichalowicz.com/profit-first/

 

Stay Connected

 Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/

Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography

What Are Styled Shoots and Who Are They Good For?
Styled shoots are a curated photography experience. They are suitable for portfolio building,  networking, building confidence behind the camera, creating more dynamic images for your portfolio for you to be able to showcase in your marketing, and creating images that you do not have the opportunity to develop now with the current clients that you book. You can have styled shoots customized to specific genres or niches of photography, such as engagement style shoots, wedding style shoots, personal branding style shoots, and so on. Styled shoots are suitable for new photographers who want to create more dynamic imagery that they can showcase in their marketing. It is also ideal for photographers who are entering into a new niche and need more imagery to showcase what they are capable of.

In this episode of the Rhea Whitney Podcast, Rhea shares her experiences with styled photography and how she used them early in her photography career to build her portfolio. Learn how you can use this to level your photography business.  

 

What You Will Learn:

[00:01] Intro and what’s in for you in this episode
[02:38] What are styled shoots, and why are they good?
[03:51] Rhea’s years of experience with styled shoots
[05:00] Why you may need to consider styled shoots early in your career
[08:54] Examples of styled shots Rhea has done over the years and what’s in store
[13:28] Who are styled shoots good for? 
[16:50] Some of the common types of styled shoots
[19:26] A quick recap
[20:57] Wrap up and end of the show

 

Standout Quotes:

“Styled shoots is good for photographers who want to create more dynamic imagery that they can showcase in their marketing..”- Rhea [13:31]
 “Photographers who are entering into a new niche or genre of photography and they do not have alot of imagery to showcase what they are capable of, may find styled shoots good for them.”- Rhea [13:45]
“Styled shoots is an investment in your marketing and in your ability to showcase more of what you can do .” - Rhea [14:26]
“If you know that you are in a season of uplevelling, and you want to have a high level and sophisticated client, or work on projects that look more sleek and luxurious, styled shoots might be your next thing.”- Rhea [18:29]

 

Stay Connected

 Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/

Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography

Being a Visionary vs. Becoming a DOER
Creators are naturally visionaries. Everything they do in their creative endeavors starts with a vision, imagining, seeing, having a calling, or a passion for something. Vision is important, as it provides the roadmap to work. Consequently, no action can ever be taken unless the vision precedes. However, imagining the ideas is easy, but taking action is a tall order that requires discipline and self-sacrifice. Most entrepreneurs find themselves stuck between the thinking and action parts, leading to procrastination. 

In this episode of the Rhea Whitney Podcast, Rhea discusses being a visionary vs being a doer/executor. Many creators live in the visionary role, and while it is crucial, doing the work is even more important. Taking action is what moves the needle forward in building your confidence in the vision and being the CEO. This episode is extremely valuable if you are stalling on the visionary role rather than focusing on the doer role. It is packed with tips on focusing on what matters to a business: taking action.

 
What You Will Learn:

[00:01] Intro and what’s in for you in this episode
[02:04] What it looks like to be a doer vs just a visionary person
[03:11] Why vision is essential, but action is supreme
[04:42] Why we fear to take action
[06:33] Where most creatives make mistakes
[07:24] Clearly define what your next step is
[08:48] What executors do that visionaries don’t do
[09:21] A quick recap
[11:15] Wrap up and end of the show

 

Standout Quotes:

“Most of the time, creatives and small business owners get stuck in constantly thinking about the business vision, revamping it and not moving the needle forward.”- Rhea [03:11]
 “Taking action is what moves the needle forward on what you want.”- Rhea [03:31]
“We all fail as business owners. Since that is inevitable, ensure you fail fast and fail forward.” - Rhea [04:25]
“Sometimes we fail to take action because of the fear of the unknown.”- Rhea [04:42]
“With failures come wins. You can't have one without the other.”- Rhea [10:24]

 
Ready to make your dream a reality?
Here's the link to the FHTP program: https://fhtp.rheawhitney.com/ 

 

Stay Connected

 Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/

Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography

Turning Pro
Turning into a pro photographer requires more than just mastering the technical aspects of the craft; it demands intentionality and a deep understanding of style, storytelling, and marketing. To transition from a novice to an expert, you must continuously hone your skills through practice, experimentation, consistency, and education. Beyond technical proficiency, cultivating a unique artistic vision and style is crucial for establishing your brand as an authority in the field. Building a strong portfolio, seeking feedback from peers and mentors, and actively engaging with the photography community is crucial to staying relevant and continuously growing as a pro photographer.

In this episode of the Rhea Whitney Podcast, Rhea discusses the roadmap to turning pro and what it looks like when it comes to being a photographer. It’s time to build your confidence, take more control over your shooting environment, and be the pro, the expert, and the authority. 

 

What You Will Learn:

[00:01] Intro and what’s in for you in this episode
[02:46] About the ‘From Hobbyist to Pro’ course 
[05:16] Creating and recreating your Style of work 
[07:50] Creating your first website and space on the internet
[10:21] Niching down and finding your specialty 
[13:10] Understanding marketing and promotion 
[16:40] Hobbyist to Pro quarter 2 group program enrollment
[19:40] Being part of a community and learning from others
[21:20] Wrap up and end of the show

 

Standout Quotes:

“As a pro photographer, what people pay you for is the consistency in your style of work and your ability to recreate your style time and time again.”- Rhea [05:26]
 “Give yourself space not to be perfect.”- Rhea [09:44]
“We’ve to start small, and small is actually big; even small starts lead to big wins and victories.” - Rhea [10:06]
“Marketing, promotion, and sales are something you have to learn; it’s part of turning pro.”- Rhea [13:41]

 

Ready to make your dream a reality?
Enroll for From Hobbyist to Pro: https://fhtp.rheawhitney.com/

 

Stay Connected

 Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/

Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography

Self-doubt can be a constant companion for business owners. But the key to building confidence lies in taking action and embracing the act of trying things out. By stepping outside your comfort zone and testing your ideas, even in small ways, you gain valuable experience. Each attempt, successful or not, provides lessons and fuels your belief in your ability to navigate challenges and make sound decisions. This momentum builds over time, transforming tentative steps into confident strides as you steer your business forward.

In this episode of the Rhea Whitney Podcast, Rhea discusses why confidence is a key ingredient for success and how to build it. She highlights courage as the foundation of confidence and the importance of facing your fears, trying new things, and embracing mistakes as learning experiences. Taking action and discovering that something was not as scary as you thought is a powerful confidence booster. 

 
What You Will Learn:

[00:01] Intro and what’s in for you in this episode
[01:00] What it takes to build courage
[01:22] How taking action increases your level of confidence
[04:36] Why business owners procrastinate in taking action
[06:50] How to face negative emotions and imposter syndrome in taking action
[09:20] How Rhea has been building confidence through action-taking
[11:07] A quick recap
[11:46] Wrap up and end of the show

 

Standout Quotes:

“You must have confidence in who you are and what you offer to be a successful business person.”- Rhea [00:30]
 “Your confidence is increased when you take action.”- Rhea [01:22]
“A lot in business is just about testing things and seeing what works out there.” - Rhea [05:35]
“Being scared alone won’t take you to your desired business goal. You have to be scared and courageous .”- Rhea [07:25]
“A big part of selling is being confident in yourself, in what you are selling, and continuing to know how to build your confidence.”- Rhea [12:24] 

 

Ready to make your dream a reality?
Here's the link to the FHTP program: https://fhtp.rheawhitney.com/

Register for the Free 3 day sales training: https://www.photobombacademy.com/building-behind-the-lens

 

Stay Connected

 Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/

Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography

 

Going Through Tough Times As a Business Owner
Running a business is no walk in the park, and tough times are an inevitable part of the journey for most entrepreneurs. Things that entrepreneurs face in their personal lives may trickle down and pour into their professional development and business lives. This could include feelings of anxiety, fear, self-doubt, and even despair. Tough decisions such as laying off staff, cutting costs, or making changes to your product or service that you are not happy about can be agonizing and leave you feeling conflicted. Declining sales, increasing costs, and difficulty securing funding can also create immense pressure and uncertainty. All these tough times are universal and inevitable, and learning how to manage and navigate them is essential for smooth business growth. 

In this episode of the Rhea Whitney Podcast, Rhea discusses three tips on managing tough times as a business owner and seeing the results you want. She encourages us to give ourselves the space and grace we would do to a friend. You must also prioritize yourself by taking some time to be quiet and alone and pour into yourself mentally and emotionally daily, even for a few minutes. This helps you to shift your mind and manage your thoughts and emotions.

 
What You Will Learn:

[00:01] Intro and what’s in for you in this episode
[01:45] How personal life can impact professional and business development
[04:16] Prioritize yourself
[08:33] Give yourself grace
[11:20] Pour into your mental, emotional, and spiritual health daily
[15:12] Going through hard times is inevitable
[16:40] Bonus tip
[18:40] Wrap up and end of the show

 

Standout Quotes:

 “Things that entrepreneurs face in their personal lives trickle down and pour into their professional development and business life.”- Rhea [01:45]
“The better you get at controlling your emotions and thoughts, the better you will become at showing up in your business and getting the results that you want.”- Rhea [02:04]
“Business owners naturally pour from their cups to others. We will do no good to others if our cup is empty.” - Rhea [18:21]
“You are not alone in going through tough times as a business owner. How you come out of the situation depends on how well you take care of yourself.”- Rhea [18:40]
“You don’t have to always appear strong during challenging times. Feel the feelings. There will be some weak moments. Give yourself the grace as you would give to a friend.”- Rhea [20:34]

 
Ready to make your dream a reality?
Here's the link to the FHTP program: https://fhtp.rheawhitney.com/

 

Stay Connected

 Learn more about me here: https://rheawhitney.com/

Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/RheaWhitney/

Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RheaWhitneyPhotography