The Systems Professor

Colie James

The Systems Professor with Colie James is your go-to class for building a streamlined, profitable business, without sacrificing your sanity, sleep, or Saturday mornings. If you're a creative entrepreneur who’s tired of duct-taping your backend together with 47 to-do lists, this podcast is your permission slip to ditch the chaos and automate like a pro. Each week, Colie (your favorite former professor turned systems strategist) breaks down how to simplify, automate, and actually enjoy the backend of your business. From client workflows that wow to Airtable setups that make you feel like a tech wizard, she’s here to help you save time, book more clients, and build a business that supports your life—not the other way around. Expect tactical advice, honest opinions, and a sprinkle of sarcasm. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just damn good systems strategy. Tune in weekly for solo episodes, free trainings, and the occasional guest expert. You don’t need to burn your business down to build something better. You just need the right systems and a professor who’s got your back.

Episodes

  1. 04/14/2025

    Coach or Contractor? How to Know What Support Your Business Actually Needs

    Welcome to the very first episode of The Systems Professor Podcast! In this kickoff episode, I’m walking you through one of the most common questions I hear from creative entrepreneurs: “Do I need a coach… or do I need someone to just get the dang thing done?” If you’re overwhelmed, stuck in indecision, or not sure what kind of help your business really needs right now—this one’s for you. I’m sharing how to make the right hire based on your current stage of business, the most common mistakes to avoid, and how I personally transitioned from doing it all to fully stepping into my Systems Professor Era. Whether you're in clarity-seeking mode or you need someone to take the reins and execute, this episode will help you decide what kind of support to bring into your business next. 01:17 Coach vs. contractor: what’s the difference? 02:09 Your business stage matters when hiring 02:58 Signs you need strategic support first 03:35 Why I stopped doing implementation 04:13 Signs you need a doer instead 04:56 Behind the scenes of my delegation 05:19 Questions to ask before you hire 06:06 Common hiring mistakes I see often 06:13 Hire intentionally—not from desperation or chaos 06:51 What’s coming next on the podcast Mentioned in this Episode Client Experience Audit The Systems Shop from Colie James 🎧 Related Episodes from Business-First CreativesWant to dive deeper into the hiring and delegation topics mentioned in this episode? Check out these past conversations from my first podcast: Hiring a Team Series Overview Explore the full series on building a team and making strategic hires Knowing What Your Business Needs Based on the Stage You’re In with Jessica Dornieden The Role of Hiring in the Journey to Becoming a CEO with Angelica Pompy Successfully Delegating to Your Team with Selina Johnson

    7 min

About

The Systems Professor with Colie James is your go-to class for building a streamlined, profitable business, without sacrificing your sanity, sleep, or Saturday mornings. If you're a creative entrepreneur who’s tired of duct-taping your backend together with 47 to-do lists, this podcast is your permission slip to ditch the chaos and automate like a pro. Each week, Colie (your favorite former professor turned systems strategist) breaks down how to simplify, automate, and actually enjoy the backend of your business. From client workflows that wow to Airtable setups that make you feel like a tech wizard, she’s here to help you save time, book more clients, and build a business that supports your life—not the other way around. Expect tactical advice, honest opinions, and a sprinkle of sarcasm. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just damn good systems strategy. Tune in weekly for solo episodes, free trainings, and the occasional guest expert. You don’t need to burn your business down to build something better. You just need the right systems and a professor who’s got your back.