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 tactics
• The identity trap creatives fall into
• “Covert contracts” and hidden expectations
• Why communication is often the biggest bottleneck
• Work-life balance vs entrepreneurial guilt
• Building a business that aligns with who you are

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro + Who is Paul Nelhart
1:30 Paul’s background (30 years in business)
3:30 What consulting actually means
5:30 Identity vs work (creative struggle)
8:30 Work-life balance vs entrepreneurial guilt
11:30 Hobby vs career conflict
13:00 The biggest struggle in business
13:15 Covert contracts explained
15:30 Real-world example (wedding story)
21:00 Why communication drives growth
27:00 Scaling, leadership, and letting go
36:00 Systems, hiring, and delegation
42:00 Growth plateaus + self-awareness
48:00 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: @almostcreativepod
Travis: @trheberling
Chris: @chrisshootsvideo
YouTube: Almost Creative

After a stretch of travel, client work, and a packed schedule, we’re back and getting back to basics.

This episode is a relaxed, FAQ-style conversation built around the questions we get asked all the time. From what camera you should buy to whether AI is actually replacing creatives, we break it all down in a way that makes sense, especially if you’re just getting started.

We also talk about where the industry is heading, why entry-level creatives are feeling the pressure, and how to position yourself so you don’t get left behind.

In this episode:

• What camera you should actually buy (and when)
• The difference between hobbyists, hustlers, and high-end creatives
• Is AI replacing videographers or just changing the game?
• Why taste and direction matter more than gear
• How to approach getting started the right way

Follow us:

Instagram: @almostcreativepod
Travis: @trheberling
Chris: @chrisshootsvideo
YouTube: Almost Creative

In this episode of The Almost Creative Podcast, we sit down with a special guest to talk about the side of creative work most people overlook - people.

We break down how working with clients, teams, and collaborators actually shapes your success, and why communication, expectations, and professionalism matter just as much as your creative skill.

This conversation covers real-world scenarios creatives face every day - from handling difficult situations to building trust, setting boundaries, and creating long-term opportunities through the way you work with others.

If you’re a creative entrepreneur trying to grow your career, get better clients, and operate at a higher level, this episode will challenge how you think about communication and professionalism.

Follow us on Instagram: @almostcreativepod
Watch on YouTube: Almost Creative

In this episode of The Almost Creative Podcast, we sit down with Steve Long, co-founder of Blink Tee's to talk about what it really looks like to run a business with ADHD.

Steve shares his experience navigating focus, dopamine, and motivation, and why ADHD can be a creative advantage when understood properly. We discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, unfinished ideas, and how understanding ADHD can improve communication, relationships, and business outcomes.

This conversation isn’t just for people diagnosed with ADHD. It’s for anyone working with clients, partners, or teammates who think and operate differently.

In this episode:
• What ADHD actually is beyond the stereotypes
• Why ADHD can function like a creative advantage
• Dopamine, focus, and motivation
• Why starting is easy but finishing is hard
• How ADHD impacts leadership, marriage, and teamwork
• Tools and frameworks that actually help

If you're a creative entrepreneur trying to build systems that work with your brain, not against it, this episode will change how you think about focus and productivity.

In this episode of The Almost Creative Podcast, we sit down with John Doherty, founder of The Family Album Company, to talk about why preserving memories isn’t just nostalgic, it’s a creative responsibility.

John shares how he went from institutional archival work to helping families preserve photos, films, and stories before they’re lost forever. We discuss deteriorating media, the emotional power of pairing voice with imagery, and why waiting “until later” is often too late.

This conversation explores legacy, long-term thinking, and the role creatives play in preserving history for future generations.

In this episode:• Why physical media quietly deteriorates over time• How digitization preserves family and cultural history• The emotional power of voice paired with imagery• Why most people wait too long to preserve memories
• What creatives can learn about legacy and long-term value

If you're a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, or storyteller who wants their work to matter long after today, this episode is for you.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @almostcreativepod for new episodes and behind-the-scenes content.

In this episode of The Almost Creative Podcast, we sit down with Chicago wedding photographer Rachael Watson to break down what actually builds a sustainable wedding photography business, and why client experience often matters more than the photos themselves.

Rachael shares how she built a referral-driven wedding photography brand over the past decade, how strong relationships consistently outperform paid ads, and what it really takes to create an unforgettable experience for couples from inquiry to delivery.

We dive into the systems behind a thriving photography business, inquiry calls, timelines, vendor relationships, associate photographers, and scaling without sacrificing quality or consistency.

This conversation isn’t about hacks or shortcuts. It’s about trust, reputation, and building a wedding photography business that lasts.

If you’re a wedding photographer or creative entrepreneur looking to book better clients, generate consistent referrals, and grow a business that supports your life , this episode is packed with practical insight from someone who’s done it for over 10 years.

Follow The Almost Creative Podcast for more real conversations about wedding photography, creative business, and building a sustainable career in the wedding industry.

In this episode of The Almost Creative Podcast, we sit down with a financial advisor to talk about the money conversations most creatives avoid — budgeting, taxes, long-term planning, and financial freedom.

We break down why freelancers and creative business owners often ignore their finances, the hidden cost of constantly reinvesting in gear, and how having a real financial plan can create more stability, freedom, and better creative work.

This isn’t about getting rich quick. It’s about building a sustainable creative career, reducing stress around money, and putting yourself in a position to choose better projects long-term.

If you’re a freelancer or creative entrepreneur who wants clarity, confidence, and control over your finances, this episode is for you.

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.

In this episode of Almost Creative, Christian Diaz sits down with Kayla Kalisz, a third-generation entertainer whose work spans NBA halftime shows, luxury events, and large-scale productions, to break down the world of specialty entertainment and circus arts.

Kayla shares her journey from dance and acrobatics into aerial performance, immersive character work, and professional circus acts — along with the realities of building a sustainable career as a performer. They dive into how specialty entertainment works behind the scenes, how performers actually get booked, and what it takes to stand out in a competitive creative industry.

This episode explores the balance between creativity and business, offering practical insight for dancers, models, and creatives interested in live performance, gig work, and non-traditional creative careers.

In this episode of The Almost Creative Podcast, we reflect on three client projects from this past year that genuinely stuck with us — not because they were perfect, but because of what they taught us about trust, communication, and creative leadership We walk through one project where the client fully trusted the creative process, one where that trust was missing and things unraveled, and a third where lessons learned helped shape a much stronger outcome. Each story comes with real takeaways for creatives working with clients, brands, and teams at different levels.🎯 In This Episode✅ Why clients often don’t know what they actually need — and how to guide them✅ The difference between being a vendor vs a creative partner✅ When (and how) to push back on client requests✅ Why pre-production can make or break a project✅ How trust leads to better storytelling, fewer revisions, and stronger results✅ Lessons learned from commercial, event, and manufacturing projectsIf you’re a creative trying to grow professionally, work with better clients, or build more meaningful projects, this episode offers honest insight into what actually works — and what doesn’t — in real-world creative work 📌 Timestamps00:00 – Intro & New Year01:24 – Why These Projects Matter01:43 – Project #1: Client Trust in Action08:10 – Sponsor Break09:05 – Project #2: When Process Fails16:36 – Project #3: Lessons Applied23:18 – The Core Takeaway26:43 – Closing & Sponsor📌 Subscribe for more conversations about creative work, business growth, and lessons learned the hard way. Follow us on Instagram @almostcreativepod for new episodes and behind-the-scenes content.📲 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