I have a special surprise for you in this week's episode! Over on the Shoot It Straight podcast, I join my dear friend, Sabrina Gebhardt every quarter to debrief our businesses with a business best chat. I decided that it's time to bring that conversation to Business-First Creatives too! I’m giving you full access to the internal workings of my business alongside Sabrina’s: from rebrands and website redesigns to offer launches, capacity shifts, and funnel experiments.

Find It Quickly

How the Business Bestie Chat works (48)

Sabrina’s Q3 review (3:40)

Colie’s Q3 review (10:48)

What’s coming up for Sabrina in Q4 (25:40)

What’s coming up for Colie in Q4 (36:05)

Wrapping up the Q4 Business Bestie Chat (47:49)

Mentioned In This Episode:

Episode 152 Q3 Business Bestie Chat with Colie James: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/152-q3-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Connect with Sabrina:

Instagram: instagram.com/sabrinagebhardtphotography

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Root To Rise Mastermind: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlist

Connect with Colie:

Systems In Session: coliejames.com/systems-in-session

Email Like You Mean It: coliejames.com/email-like-you-mean-it

Most system struggles aren’t tech problems — they’re communication gaps. In this episode, I’m unpacking what I learned from hosting the Client Email Glow-Up Challenge and why clear client communication has to come before you start automating anything.

You’ll hear the biggest wins from participants, the ah-ha moments that changed how I teach Email Like You Mean It, and the one shift that makes every workflow easier to build and actually use.

If your emails still feel stiff, scattered, or inconsistent, this is your reminder: start with the words first. Then build the systems to match.

• Why automation can’t fix unclear or inconsistent communication
• How better emails lead to better workflows (not the other way around)
• The simple exercise from the Glow-Up Challenge that revealed hidden touchpoints
• How rewriting a few key emails can instantly strengthen your client experience
• The real magic behind combining Email Like You Mean It + Systems in Session

• Watch the Client Email Glow-Up Challenge Replays
• Join Email Like You Mean It
• Join the Systems in Session Waitlist

I’m wrapping up week one of my Sales Parade, and Systems in Session 2025 is officially sold out! 🎉

But here’s what I’ve noticed after working with dozens of clients inside the program—there’s a moment when everything changes. I call it the confidence shift.

It’s when your systems stop feeling clunky or chaotic and finally start feeling like you. You understand how everything fits together, you’re no longer afraid to make changes, and your CRM actually supports the way your brain works.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what that shift looks like, why it matters, and how you can experience it for yourself inside Systems in Session 2026 (waitlist now open!).

🎧 Listen in to learn:

The moment every Systems in Session client experiences

Why confidence—not tech skills—is the real game changer

How to build systems that reflect your brain and your brand

What makes Systems in Session different from other setups

How to join the 2026 waitlist and lock in 2025 rates before Nov 1

💻 Join the 2026 waitlist → coliejames.com/sis

Not sure where to start with your systems? In this episode, I’m breaking down three smart places to begin if you’re DIY-ing your setup—your proposal, your contact form, or your delivery phase. I’ll walk you through how each one works, share real client wins, and help you decide which step makes the most sense for your business right now.

Want to work together on your systems? Check out Systems in Session and grab one of the 2 remaining spots for 2025, with 2026 dates opening soon.

Avoidance can make simple tasks feel impossible. In this episode, I’m sharing why systems are the #1 thing entrepreneurs put off, the anxiety that creates, and what you can do to stop avoiding them—especially if systems are the thing weighing heaviest in your business.

Check out Systems in Session ❤️

The Parade is back, y’all—and I’m jumping in for another 14-day sprint of talking about my offers. In this episode, I’m sharing why the Parade isn’t about instant sales, but about building the habit of showing up consistently.

You’ll also hear about:

• The wrap-up of the Client Email Glow-Up Challenge
• A $100 discount on Email Like You Mean It through October 7th
• Four new openings for Systems in Session in 2025 (get in before I close for the holidays on December 22nd)
• My brand-new YouTube channel—are you subscribed yet? coliejames.com/youtube

If the idea of sharing your offers 50+ times in 14 days sounds both terrifying and intriguing, come parade with us: coliejames.com/parade

Check out my offers Email Like You Mean It or Systems in Session ❤️

If you don’t know when your clients should come back, neither will they. Most creatives deliver the final product and send one last email — and then it’s crickets. But if you want repeat bookings, referrals, and glowing reviews, you’ve got to make rebooking the obvious next step.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The rebooking window every creative needs to define
• How to plant the seed for future sessions at delivery
• Automating client reminders without losing the personal touch
• Fast-track booking strategies for loyal clients
• Why clear communication sparks reviews, referrals, and repeat business

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Systems in Session

Email Like You Mean It

If you're someone who thinks systems just aren't for me—creative chaos is a part of my identity, this episode might change your mind. Roxanne Engstrom joins me to share about her experience inside of Systems in Session. We talk about how getting clarity in her systems not only grew her profit fast but also gave her confidence, reduced her anxiety, and let her show up as the boss she is.

Find It Quickly

00:24 - Meet Roxanne

01:22 - The Importance of Systems in Business

02:16 - Real-Life Business Challenges and Solutions

04:01 - The Value of Personalized Support

04:45 - Achieving Quick Wins in Business

05:43 - Investing in Your Business Growth

06:36 - Overcoming Personal and Business Challenges

07:32 - The Power of Collaboration and Support

11:41 - Automations and Business Efficiency

13:18 - Scaling Your Business with Confidence

14:34 - Continuous Improvement and Client Feedback

16:23 - Setting Boundaries and Providing Value

21:23 - Client Communication and Boundaries

21:58 - Personalized Brand Image Process

23:44 - Importance of Client Experience

24:26 - Efficient Proposal Systems

27:55 - Overcoming Business Anxiety

29:49 - Investing in Business Growth

32:19 - Scaling with Systems

Mentioned in this Episode

Systems in Session

Maddie Peschong's Rebrand

Connect with Roxanne

Website: hawaimages.com

Instagram: instagram.com/hawaimages

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roxanne-engstrom

Youtube: youtube.com/@roxanneengstrom-hawaimages

It’s time to break the vicious visibility cycle. You know the one, where you disappear for weeks, then expect everything to fall back into place on social media. In this episode, Maddie Peschong joins us to dive deep into what visibility really means (and why it matters more than you think).

We talk about what happens when you drop off the map, the lag‑effect of silence, and how even if you’re visible, your strategy might still be sabotaging you. Maddie and I share concrete ways to stay on people’s radars without feeling like you’re running a 24/7 show.

Find It Quickly

01:28 - The Importance of Visibility

02:09 - Social Media Strategies for Photographers

06:01 - The Vicious Visibility Cycle

10:03 - Effective Marketing Practices

15:37 - Email Marketing and Content Repurposing

18:27 - Engaging Your Audience with Personal Stories

19:05 - The Importance of Consistency in Marketing

19:58 - Visibility Beyond Face-to-Camera

22:02 - Overcoming Insecurities on Camera

23:58 - Client Comfort and Trust Building

26:12 - The Vicious Cycle of Visibility

28:23 - Planning for Inconsistency

30:17 - Repurposing Content for Consistency

Mentioned in this Episode

How to Create Systems for Your Worst Days in Business with Sandra Henderson

Connect with Maddie

Website: maddiepeschong.com

Instagram: @maddiepeschong

Rebrand: maddiepeschong.com/rebrand

What if raising your prices didn’t mean adding more stress to your plate? In this replay from Maddie Peschong’s Take It Personally podcast, I’m sharing how proposals, automations, and smart systems can help you deliver a high-touch client experience that actually makes it easier to charge more.

We talk about:

• Why proposals are the secret to booking faster (and with less friction)
• How automations can make your process feel more personal, not robotic
• The biggest booking mistakes photographers make — and how to fix them
• How systems uphold premium pricing without burning you out

Want to go deeper? Grab the original Charge More, Stress Less webinar replay at coliejames.com/charge-more.

Grab your free spot in Maddie's Booked Up and In-Demand Masterclass: September 23 at noon CST - learn the content system that fills your calendar with premium clients

And stay tuned — in the next episode, Maddie joins me here on Business-First Creatives to unpack the vicious cycle of visibility and how we can all create content marketing from a place of ease.