Business-First Creatives
Business-First Creatives

Business-First Creatives

Colie James

Overview
Episodes

Details

Every creative deserves to turn their craft into a business that brings them joy and profit. Here you'll find a no-BS approach to what it takes to put the business first, prioritizing the systems and strategies that will actually move the needle and ensure your creative business is profitable rather than an expensive side-hustle. Your host is Colie James, a Disney-loving family photographer, and filmmaker turned Workflow and Automations Guru who helps creative service providers automate their sh*t, reclaim their time and get back to living! 

Recent Episodes

Stop Chasing Vanity Metrics: The 4 Habits That Actually Grow Your Business with Zoë Dew
DEC 11, 2025
Stop Chasing Vanity Metrics: The 4 Habits That Actually Grow Your Business with Zoë Dew
If you think the key to business growth is chasing website stats, are you considering the fact that those numbers may not tell the full story? In this episode, metrics and data specialist Zoë Dew shares how tracking behaviors, not just clicks, can transform your revenue and clarity.Zoë explains how she helps creative entrepreneurs grow by using data already sitting in their business, and not by chasing fleeting “industry-standard” metrics. We dig into the four core behaviors that predict sales and how to start tracking them, even if you hate spreadsheets.Find It Quickly00:42 - Meet Zoe01:18 - The Importance of Data and Metrics02:25 - Behavior-Driven Business Strategies02:57 - Tracking and Analyzing Business Activities04:53 - The Four Key Business Behaviors06:15 - Email Marketing Insights07:44 - Compounding Visibility and Customer Journey09:36 - Effective Email Strategies19:28 - Growing and Managing Your Email List20:57 - Collaborations and Ads for List Growth22:26 - The Creator Network Experience24:34 - Challenges of List Growth and Audience Size25:18 - Importance of Data-Driven Decisions26:20 - Tracking and Analyzing Audience Behavior31:23 - Tools for Tracking Website and Sales Data33:49 - Understanding Customer Behavior and Sales Patterns37:49 - Re-engaging Potential Customers44:16 - The Power of Consistent MessagingMentioned in this EpisodeZero Google Moment of TruthCeels Lockley - Email ParadeGoogle AnalyticsMicrosoft ClarityHotjarHannah Isted - 10 Minute MarketingConnect with ZoëWebsite: zoedew.comInstagram: instagram.com/zoerdew Threads: threads.com/@zoerdewHabit Tracker: zoedew.com/business-first-creatives
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50 MIN
Creating Natural Urgency without Discounts and Timers with Samantha Hoillett
DEC 9, 2025
Creating Natural Urgency without Discounts and Timers with Samantha Hoillett
Do you dread the word launch, because you think that "doors open/doors close” structure feels icky? We're flipping the script in today's episode with Samantha Hoillett! She's showing us how to build urgency into our launches that doesn’t feel pushy, but it does feel aligned.Listen in as we explore what urgency normally means in marketing, why so many of us do it the usual way (limited spots, price‑going‑up soon, and hurry), and then how you can shift into urgency rooted in your client’s real internal motivations, not just your business timetable.Find It Quickly00:24 - The Ickiness of Traditional Launches00:59 - Introducing Samantha and the Concept of Urgency01:08 - Redefining Urgency in Marketing02:03 - The Evolution of Online Courses05:12 - Internal vs. External Urgency09:40 - The Importance of Clear Messaging14:36 - Balancing Pain Points and Results19:35 - Diagnosing Business Problems24:42 - High Converting Proposals: The First Win26:01 - The Importance of Micro Wins27:37 - Documenting Client Journeys29:44 - Value Stacking and Communicating Results33:21 - Email Marketing Strategies40:16 - Personalizing Email CampaignsMentioned in this EpisodeUrgency on Evergreen: samanthahoilett.com/urgency-on-evergreenUrgency Upgrade: samanthahoilett.com/urgency-upgrade-2026Connect with SamanthaWebsite: samanthahoilett.comInstagram: instagram.com/samanthahoilett.writesYoutube: youtube.com/@samanthahoilettTheads: threads.com/@samanthahoilett.writes
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47 MIN
What's the Best Way To Set Up Your CRM? CRM Blueprint vs. Systems in Session with Megan Norman
NOV 20, 2025
What's the Best Way To Set Up Your CRM? CRM Blueprint vs. Systems in Session with Megan Norman
Have you been wondering what's the best way to set up your CRM? Today’s session is going to be a mix of a case study and answers to some specific questions I’ve been getting lately about Systems in Session. I thought Megan Norman would be the perfect person to bring on because she’s been part of my world for a while—first as a Blueprint student, then as a one-on-one client when she hired me for an audit. After that, she joined Systems in Session and gave her entire business a serious glow-up from that perspective. Now, she’s part of my retainer program.Find It Quickly00:25 - Client Relationships and Long-Term Engagements01:24 - Megan's Journey with Systems in Session04:42 - The Blueprint Course Evolution06:37 - Audit and Systems Overhaul09:42 - Customizing Workflows for Maximum Efficiency22:07 - Reintroducing the Baby Plan26:36 - Client Experience Enhancement27:09 - Adapting to Business Changes28:08 - The Value of Revisiting Systems29:20 - Hands-On System Implementation32:29 - Maximizing Efficiency During Peak Times33:41 - Elevating Client Experience Post-Booking36:35 - The Importance of Detailed Workflows44:02 - The Benefits of System AuditsMentioned in this EpisodeSystems in SessionCRM BlueprintSystems in Session: Mastering Your Client Journey ft. Erin Belles (a Done-With-You Dubsado Setup Case Study!)Connect with MeganWebsite: megannorman.comInstagram: instagram.com/megannormanphotographyFacebook: facebook.com/MeganNormanPhotography
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49 MIN