Called to Both - Balancing Motherhood and Business for Photographers

If you’re booked, busy, and still not seeing the income you want, It’s time to pause and take a closer look at your business. In today’s episode, we’re taking you on a guided audit to help you identify what’s working, what’s not, and where small shifts could make the biggest difference. We’ll look at the core areas of your business so you can focus your time and energy on what actually moves the needle in this next season.

In this episode: 

• The #1 revenue mistake I see creatives make and how to fix it
• Why leads aren’t converting (and what to audit in your content)
• The invisible systems draining your energy and time

In this Episode:

• 0:00 - Welcome to your 2026 guided business audit!
• 1:27 - You’re doing a lot right, but…
• 3:23 - Your revenue check
• 5:44 - Go to where your leads and client flow point you
• 6:56 - Where and how are you showing up
• 10:26 - Build clarity around your packages 
• 13:43 - Don’t ignore your systems and processes.
• 17:58 - What discoveries have you made in your business? 

Mentioned in this Episode:

• 121: Why Every Photographer Should Have Multiple Income Streams + How to Get Started: joymichelle.co/photographer-multiple-income-streams
• 160: The 3 Revenue Streams Every Creative Should Have in 2026 (Beyond Your Core Offer): joymichelle.co/3-revenue-streams-2026
• 167: The Invisible Sales Leak: Why Your Clients Stop Paying Attention After They Inquire: joymichelle.co/why-your-clients-stop-paying-attention-after-they-inquire
• 53: 10 Tips for Using Instagram Stories to Attract Clients and Grow Your Small Business: https://joymichelle.co/10-tips-for-instagram-stories/
• 131: 7 Content Ideas to Boost Your Visibility & Brand Authority: https://joymichelle.co/7-content-ideas-visibility/
• HoneyBook: joymichelle.co/honeybook
• Notion: joymichelle.co/notion

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

Are you ready for one-on-one support in your business? Let's work together to grow a business that you love, without taking away from the people you love. Let's chat on a free consultation call!

Book now: joymichelle.co/coaching

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!

If you've ever said, “I just need more visibility,” this episode is for you. What if your problem isn’t in your reach, but instead it’s what happens after someone reaches out?

You don’t just need more eyeballs on your brand. You need a process that converts the eyeballs into bookings. In this episode, we're talking about the invisible sales leak that could be quietly costing you thousands in lost revenue and how to fix it today.

Find It Quickly

• 2:53 - The five reasons a sales leak happens
• 3:11 - Reason #1: Response time is too long
• 4:00 - Reason #2: A meh response
• 4:26 - Reason #3: There is no nurture sequence or follow up
• 5:09 - Reason #4: No call to action
• 5:58 - Reason #5: Lack of personalization
• 7:29 - The prompts to seal your sales leak
• 8:19 - The three step fix to keeping your leads warm and booking them
• 10:44 - Here’s how you sharing your pricing
• 11:42 - Always respond to questions

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Knot
• Episode 163: 5 Questions I Would Ask You If I Were Your Business Coach
• @joyymichelle

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

Are you ready for one-on-one support in your business? Let's work together to grow a business that you love, without taking away from the people you love. Let's chat on a free consultation call!

Book now: joymichelle.co/coaching

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!

Feeling stuck under the weight of old content expectations? Let’s reset that. If you’ve been creating content for a while, you’ve likely evolved—personally, professionally, and energetically. Your business may have shifted. Your offers may have changed. Maybe your voice has gotten bolder, wiser, or simply more you. And yet, your content? It still feels stuck in the past.

This tension between who you are now and how you're still showing up online is something I see constantly with my coaching clients. They’ve grown, but their content hasn’t. When we dig a little deeper, it’s rarely about strategy. It’s about mindset.

Let’s talk about why that happens, what it really means, and how to start showing up again in a way that feels fresh, aligned, and deeply authentic.

In this episode: 

• Why your current audience might be the reason you’re hesitating to show up differently.
• A mindset shift to help you reset and experiment with your content confidently.
• Three truths to help you create consistent, creative content without needing permission.

Find It Quickly:

0:00 - The five minute mindset reset episode is here!

0:42 - The mindset pieces showing up in your content

2:38 - Shift your mindset to show up in a new way

4:07 - Final reminders to rethink your content for 2026

5:21 - The last three questions

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

Are you ready for one-on-one support in your business? Let's work together to grow a business that you love, without taking away from the people you love. Let's chat on a free consultation call!

Book now: joymichelle.co/coaching

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!

You’re not burnt out. If anything, you’re probably resentful. There’s an emotion many creative business owners carry into the new year without even realizing it: creative resentment. It comes from the quiet frustration that grows when you’re underpaid, overbooked, and undervalued—and no one is talking about it.

In this episode, I break down what creative resentment actually is, how it creeps in, and how to release it so you can move into 2026 with clarity and confidence. Listen in as I share the three key reflection questions that every creative entrepreneur should ask themselves before setting goals or pricing for the new year.

In this episode:

1. How creative resentment shows up—and why it’s not your fault.
2. The boundary leaks and unsaid expectations that fuel resentment.
3. Three powerful reflection questions to reset your mindset and business for the new year.

Find It Quickly:

01:26 - Defining Creative Resentment

02:25 - Identifying the Causes of Resentment

03:19 - Reflecting on the Past Year

04:15 - Three Questions to Release Resentment

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

Are you ready for one-on-one support in your business? Let's work together to grow a business that you love, without taking away from the people you love. Let's chat on a free consultation call!

Book now: joymichelle.co/coaching

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!

This year taught me more than I ever expected. There were wins, challenges, business growth, motherhood, maternity leave, and more. In this episode, I’m walking you through my full Year in Review, highlighting what worked, what didn’t, the surprising lessons learned, and what I’m taking into 2026 with renewed clarity and intentional focus.

Listen in as I share insights from a year that included launching a new offer, scaling systems, taking a 12‑week paid maternity leave, and showing up again with more resilience than ever. Whether you’re wrapping up your year or beginning your planning, this episode is your invitation to take meaningful stock of your own business.

In this Episode:

• Big wins in business and strategy that moved the needle in 2025
• Honest lessons from things that fell flat
• Why reviewing your year matters — not just for numbers, but for perspective

Today's episode is brought to you by Forewarn:

If you often meet clients in private homes or unfamiliar places, FOREWARN helps you verify identities and assess risk before meeting in person. Just enter a phone number for instant identity information — visit forewarn.com to learn how you can prepare and stay safe.

Find It Quickly:

00:46 - Reflecting on Business Practices

01:41 - Podcast Introduction and Personal Journey

03:33 - CEO Review and Yearly Reflection

05:17 - Wins and Successes of 2025

12:14 - Challenges and Lessons Learned

18:06 - Highs and Lows of the Year

24:04 - Looking Forward to 2026

Mentioned in this Episode:

Affiliate Boss

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!

What if the clarity you’ve been looking for in your business was just a few powerful questions away? Today I’m bringing you to a coffee shop with big mugs filled to the brim and walking you through the questions that help reveal what’s holding you back and what’s possible next. Join me for 10 minutes to sit, breathe, and reflect as I walk you through each of these questions.

In this Episode:

• Why asking questions is one of the most powerful clarity tools in business
• Five reflection prompts to realign with your goals and eliminate overwhelm
• How to shift from emotional decision-making to data-driven confidence

Today's episode is brought to you by Forewarn:

If you often meet clients in private homes or unfamiliar places, FOREWARN helps you verify identities and assess risk before meeting in person. Just enter a phone number for instant identity information — visit forewarn.com to learn how you can prepare and stay safe.

Find It Quickly: 

0:00 - The power in a good question.

4:40 - What feels the most heavy in your business right now?

5:14 - Kick the bottlenecks to the curb.

5:53 - Where are you making things harder than they need to be?

9:53 - What can future you thank you for?

11:18 - Trusting yourself completely can change your business

Mentioned in this Episode:

www.joymichelle.co/call

joymichelle.co/streamlined-schedule-20-hour-work-week

joymichelle.co/reboot-better-decisions-in-business

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!

What if the thing holding your business back isn’t strategy, but the fact that you’re trying to build it alone? Whether you're bumping up against an income ceiling, drowning in ideas, or craving clarity in your next season, there are real signs that you’re ready for support in your business.

In this episode, we’re diving into the seven signs you might be ready to work with a business coach. I’m breaking down what to look for, how to know if it’s the right time, and the shifts that become possible when you stop trying to piece everything together yourself.

In this Episode:

• Why coaching is less about your revenue and more about your goals.
• The exact signs to look for if you're considering hiring a coach.
• How my clients are hitting five-figure months and sold-out sessions through strategic support.

Find It Quickly: 

0:38 - What it really means to be ready for a business coach

1:22 - Why this conversation matters for creatives and service providers

2:10 - How coaching changed the trajectory of my own business

3:05 - What you’ll learn in this episode

5:00 - Hitting an income or booking ceiling.

5:52 - Tired of piecing together strategies from free content.

8:07 - Accountability and making business decisions with someone else

8:45 - The overwhelm from all of your ideas

9:25 - You want to raise your prices

10:04 - Increase your take home pay

11:48 - Your business can fit your season of life

12:48 - Recap of the seven signs you need a business coach

13:40 - Investing in yourself with consistency

14:11 - Work with me in 2026 

14:29 - Client wins

Mentioned in this Episode:

www.joymichelle.co/call

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!

Feeling stuck in draft mode again? If you're constantly tweaking, editing, and saving your content for “later,” only to never hit publish, you’re not alone. Today we’re diving into the very real cost of perfectionism in your content strategy and what it’s stealing from your business.

I’m sharing tangible strategies, mindset shifts, and personal insights on how to get out of your own way and actually publish. From setting "good enough" benchmarks to leveraging team support and time-blocking hacks, this episode will help you create more, publish more, and grow your visibility.

Today's episode is brought to you by Affiliate Boss:

You’re already recommending tools you love, so why not get paid for it?
Affiliate Boss is my step-by-step course for creatives who want to add passive income through affiliate marketing that actually feels aligned. You don’t need a huge audience—just the right strategy.
Let me show you how.

Enroll Now >>

Find It Quickly: 

00:37 - The Cost of Perfectionism

03:36 - Identifying the Root Causes

06:24 - Strategies to Overcome Perfectionism

11:28 - Affiliate Marketing for Creatives

12:32 - Batch Creating Content

15:00 - Setting Deadlines and Time Constraints

17:02 - Podcast Recommendations and Wrap-Up

Mentioned in this Episode:

Affiliate Boss

Everyday Magic by Mattie James

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!

What if the only way you were making money in your business was about to shift and you didn’t have to say yes to one more client to do it? As a service provider I got comfortable: one offer, bookings flowing, dream clients, but I also knew there was a cap. If I didn’t add something, I was stuck trading time for money forever. 

So I took action. And you can too. In today's episode, I'm sharing 3 revenue streams that every creative should have in their business! Plus, you'll hear a bonus revenue stream that I've included in my own business.

In this Episode:

• How affiliate income can plug into your existing content and audience for a quick and real boost.
• Why digital products are still a win, how to start small, and how they scale without you being in every session.
• Mentorship/consulting: how you bring your expertise forward, test it gently, and build something new without abandoning your core service.

Find It Quickly: 

00:45 - Understanding the Need for Diversification

01:43 - Creating Predictable Income in Seasonal Work

03:17 - Personal Journey and Goals

05:14 - Revenue Stream 1: Affiliate Income

08:20 - Revenue Stream 2: Digital Products

14:48 - Revenue Stream 3: Mentorship and Consulting

17:04 - Bonus Revenue Stream: Paid Partnerships

21:19 - Podcast Recommendation

Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 78: Stepping into the World of Selling Digital Products: Getting Started

Episode 79: Navigating Sponsorships and Brand Deals: Are They Worth It? A Guide to More Successful Brand Collaborations

Episode 133: Affiliate Marketing for Photographers: Where to Start and What to Promote

Episode 134: The Biggest Mistakes Creatives Make with Affiliate Marketing (and Fixes!)

Affiliate Boss - Get 20% Off with code PODCAST

Jereshia Said

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!

What if your wall calendar transformed the way you run your business? I know a wall calendar might not sound thrilling, but hear me out. In this episode, I’m walking you through how I made the big wall calendar in my office become one of the most helpful tools I’ve used all year in my business. As a mom of three navigating maternity leave, shifting seasons, and ambitious business goals, this simple, low-tech solution gave me clarity and traction in a chaotic year.

In this Episode:

• How I tracked business metrics visually to stay grounded during transitions
• Why documenting wins and published content helped me feel more accomplished
• The specific ways I used my wall calendar to stay aligned with my goals

Today's episode is brought to you by Forewarn:

If you often meet clients in private homes or unfamiliar places, FOREWARN helps you verify identities and assess risk before meeting in person. Just enter a phone number for instant identity information — visit forewarn.com to learn how you can prepare and stay safe.

Find It Quickly: 

02:23 - Challenges of Planning as a Business Owner and Mom

05:13 - The New Wall Calendar System for 2025

07:38 - Specific Uses of the Wall Calendar

11:16 - Tracking Metrics and Celebrating Wins

16:49 - Planning Ahead with Notion and Low-Tech Tools

Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 136: Planning For a Maternity Leave as a Self-Employed Business Owner

Episode 99: How to Prepare as a Small Business Owner for Maternity Leave or Time Off

Amazon Wall Calendars

Notion

More ways to connect:
JOY MICHELLE INSTAGRAM
WORK WITH JOY AS YOUR COACH
JOY MICHELLE CO. WEBSITE

Read the full show notes from today’s episode HERE.

If you’re enjoying the content we’re creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!

Join Now >>

CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!