Business-First Creatives
Business-First Creatives

Business-First Creatives

Colie James

Overview
Episodes

Details

Business-First Creatives is a podcast for photographers and creative service providers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business without drowning in admin work, client experience chaos, or systems that let you down. This show delivers clear, actionable conversations around marketing, CRM workflows, client communication, Dubsado and Honeybook automation, Airtable systems, and workflow strategies, giving photographers and creative entrepreneurs the systems that scale, operational clarity, and strategic, human-first client experiences they need to build streamlined, referral-worthy business operations that don't require working 24/7. If you're tired of babysitting your inbox, chasing down contracts, or watching your workflows break the moment you look away, this show will help you move beyond "figuring it out as you go" and toward a creative business that brings you joy and a paycheck. This podcast provides answers to questions like: How do I automate my client journey without losing the personal touch? What CRM workflows do photographers and creative businesses need? How can I use Dubsado or Honeybook to streamline my client experience? What systems do photographers need to save time and deliver exceptional client experiences? How do I reduce admin time in my creative service business? Why do my workflows keep letting me down (and how do I fix them)? How can I build a profitable creative business that brings me joy and a paycheck? What's the best way to communicate with clients throughout their journey? How do I create systems that work even when I'm not babysitting them? How can I map my client journey to convert more inquiries into bookings? Hosted by Colie James, a Dubsado Certified Specialist, Honeybook Educator, and Workflow and Automations Guru with 10+ years helping creatives systemize their businesses—this show delivers practical, no-BS guidance for photographers and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to streamline their client journey, automate their operations, and make money from their craft. If you're done dropping balls and ready to build a business-first creative operation with systems that scale, you're in the right place. Find out more about Systems in Session ➡️ https://coliejames.com/systems-in-session

Recent Episodes

Build It Yourself and Own It Forever: Confidence in Your CRM with David Enloe
FEB 12, 2026
Build It Yourself and Own It Forever: Confidence in Your CRM with David Enloe
When you're empowered to build your own process and be part of it, everything in your systems can change. While there is always the option to outsource your brain or hand your systems to someone else, it's even more valuable to learn how your systems actually work, build them with intention, and have the confidence to evolve them as your business grows.In today's episode, I'm joined by David Enloe to chat through his experience inside of Systems in Session, the program that (as he puts it) empowers you to build your own process and be a part of it. We talk through how one conversation turned a vague idea into a structured offer, how David’s HoneyBook setup evolved, and why confidence is what most creatives really need.Find It Quickly01:05 - The Origin Story of Systems in Session05:19 - Why Now? Timing the Workflow Overhaul06:52 - Confidence Over Automation08:17 - The Power of Strategic Prep Work10:44 - Rebuilding After HoneyBook 2.012:59 - From Beta Build to Assistant Onboarding18:20 - Should You Include Your Virtual Assistant?21:31 - What Changed in David’s Business24:48 - Evolving the Client Journey26:58 - How the Program Has Changed Since32:22 - Final Advice from David34:55 - The 3 R’s: Reviews, Referrals, Repeat ClientsMentioned in this EpisodeSystems in Session: coliejames.com/systems-in-sessionEpisode 241: Systems in Session ft. Erin Belles: coliejames.com/done-with-you-dubsado-setup-case-studyConnect with DavidWebsite: theenloecreative.com
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36 MIN
Business Bestie Chat Q1 – 2026 with Sabrina Gebhardt
JAN 29, 2026
Business Bestie Chat Q1 – 2026 with Sabrina Gebhardt
This quarter’s business bestie chat is juicier than ever. We’re tackling real business wins, real pivots, and real lessons. Listen in as Sabrina and I share what we actually did in Q4 2025 and what we’re strategizing for Q1 2026.Find It QuicklyCatching up with Sabrina and Colie (00:24)How the Biz Bestie chats work (02:01)Sabrina’s major rebrand (03:34)The end of Colie’s CRM Blueprint (09:04)The shift in Colie’s offers (13:15)Sabrina’s Root To Rise launch (18:02)Playing the long game (24:15)Sabrina and Colie’s ad experiments (30:56)Plans for the rest of Q1 (38:12)Mentioned in this EpisodeShowit: showit.comTonic: tonicsiteshop.comEmail Like You Mean It: /coliejames.com/email-like-you-mean-itEpisode 268: Personalizing the Client Communication Experience with Geneviève Masioni: coliejames.com/personalizing-the-client-communication-experience-with-genevieve-masioniThe First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membershipEpisode 264: How Human Design Is Influencing The Way We Do Business with Sabrina Gebhardt: coliejames.com/how-human-design-is-influencing-the-way-we-do-business-with-sabrina-gebhardtEpisode 005: Avoiding Burnout with Sabrina Gebhardt: coliejames.com/005Business Bestie Chat Q4 – 2025 with Sabrina Gebhardt: coliejames.com/business-bestie-chat-q4-2025-with-sabrina-gebhardtConnect with SabrinaWebsite: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/sabrinagebhardtphotographyPodcast: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast
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54 MIN