Called to Both - Balancing Motherhood and Business for Photographers

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to grow your business while being the present mom you want to be, this episode is for you. I’m diving into the five most common mistakes I see over and over again in my coaching work with entrepreneurial moms. These are the traps that keep us spinning our wheels, feeling like we’re failing in both motherhood and business, and I want to help you avoid them.

I'm sharing these five pitfalls not to call you out, but to offer you clarity, peace, and practical steps forward. From failing to adapt your schedule to following the wrong voices online, we’re getting honest about what’s holding you back and how to move forward with more purpose.

In this Episode:

• Why rigid plans are sabotaging your progress—and what to do instead.
• How delegating tasks is a leadership skill, not a weakness.
• The power of going deep instead of wide with your time and energy.

Find It Quickly:

• 00:55 - Common Mistakes in Balancing Business and Motherhood
• 01:13 - Introduction to the Host and Podcast
• 02:05 - Mistake 1: Failing to Adapt
• 06:18 - Mistake 2: Not Delegating Tasks
• 09:49 - Mistake 3: Going Wide Instead of Deep
• 12:59 - Mistake 4: Following the Wrong People
• 16:36 - Mistake 5: Lacking Clear Goals

Free Resources:

• Profit Planning Guide

Called to Both Guest Hosted Episodes:

• 140: KyAnn Molina
• 141: Elizabeth McCravy
• 142: Lydia Fine
• 143: Cait Howard
• 144: Carli LeBlanc
• 145: Tara Whitaker
• 146: Julie Fried
• 147: Sabrina Gebhardt
• 148: Nata Salvatori
• 149: Rachel Lee
• 150: Kim Perez

Other Episodes Mentioned in this Episode:

• 59: How to Create a Start-of-Day Work Routine
• 60: How to Create an End-Of-Day Work Routine
• 148: Let It Go to Grow: The Real ROI of Delegation for Entrepreneurs with Nata Salvatori
• 34: Creating a Visibility Plan For Your Business Marketing

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!

Being an introvert comes with its own challenges, but can you build a business and be successful as an introvert? As a business owner who identifies as an introvert, I'm here to tell you YES! In today's episode, I'm sharing how you can grow a business as an introvert by using it to your advantage, without letting it get in the way of your success.

In this Episode:

• Why “introvert” is a descriptor, not a limitation—and how to shift your mindset.
• The subtle power of perceptiveness and listening in sales and client work.
• Simple substitutions to make uncomfortable business tasks work for your personality.

Find It Quickly

• Introverts Can Be Successful Business Owners (:55)
• Don’t Let Being an Introvert Restrict You (3:08)
• Serving Over Selling (7:55)
• Your Unique Gifts as an Introvert (11:54)
• Flip the Script Against Your Discomfort (12:14)
• Do Difficult Things (16:30)

Mentioned in this Episode

• Traction

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!

When the options for investing in your business feel endless, how do you actually choose the right one? From hiring a team member or coach to buying new software, there are so many places to spend your money.

In this episode, I'm sharing the exact 3 T’s Framework I use to figure out where my next investment should go and how I’ve applied it to my own business. This approach will help you assess what’s out of balance in your business and make strategic, confident investment decisions that drive real growth.

In this Episode:

• How to know if your business is “tipping” out of balance and which of the 3 T’s is causing it
• The difference between investing in your time, your team/talent, and your tools—and when each matters most
• Practical ways to free up resources so you can invest in what truly moves the needle

Find It Quickly

• 00:27 - Listener Question: How to Choose Investments
• 01:05 - Host Background and Podcast Overview
• 02:01 - The Three T's Framework
• 03:46 - First T: Time Management
• 06:14 - Second T: Team and Talent
• 12:13 - Third T: Tools and Technology
• 17:47 - Recap and Final Thoughts

Mentioned in this Episode

• HoneyBook
• Notion
• Kajabi
• Riverside
• ManyChat
• Book a Free 20 Minute 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.

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're thinking about being a guest on more podcasts this year, you're in the right place! In today's episode, I'm sharing how you can become a favorite podcast guest that is remembered and asked back! From creating a wonderful experience for the host, providing unique and valuable education to their listeners, and going above and beyond to stand out, it's time to get visible through podcast guesting this year!

[This episode is a re-run. It originally aired on February 5th, 2024.]

In This Episode You'll:

1. Explore the value of visibility through podcast guesting.
2. Understand the three phases of being a good podcast guest.
3. Learn the importance of collaboration as a podcast guest.

Find it quickly:

1:11 - Podcast Guesting
2:07 - Phase 1 - The Pitch
6:16 - Phase 2 - The Recording
11:22 - Phase 3 - The Promotion

Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode 6: Your Business Needs a "Power Hour"
Shure MV7 Mic (What I use for the podcast currently)
Logitech Blue Yeti Mic (I’ve used this for podcasting and courses)
Logitech Web Cam

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!

I’m back—and this time, I’ve got a new baby in my arms and a whole birth story to share. This episode is a deeply personal one. I’m pulling back the curtain on my third maternity leave, giving you an honest look into my home birth with baby Wesley, and talking about what postpartum has looked and felt like this time around.

It’s my first time experiencing birth while also being a podcast host, so I figured it was finally my turn to share what I’ve listened to so many other women do: tell their birth story. Grab your coffee and come hang out with me in this behind-the-scenes, heart-on-my-sleeve solo catch-up.

Three things you’ll take away:

• What actually helped in postpartum recovery (from freezer meals to childcare)
• How I mentally prepped for another unmedicated home birth
• The emotional rollercoaster of newborn feeding issues and finding your spark for work again

Find It Quickly

• 04:36 - Birth Story Begins
• 07:11 - Labor Progresses: Water Breaks
• 08:49 - Preparing for Home Birth: Midwife and Family Support
• 13:39 - Active Labor: Coping Strategies and Mindset
• 22:17 - Midwife Arrives and Pushing Begins
• 24:52 - The Birth of My Baby
• 26:27 - Post-Birth Reflections and Midwifery Care
• 29:16 - Breastfeeding Challenges and Tongue Tie Revision
• 32:57 - Postpartum Recovery and Childcare
• 39:53 - Returning to Work and Finding Balance

Mentioned in this Episode

• Planning for a Maternity Leave as a Self-Employed Business Owner
• Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
• Introducing Affiliate Boss: A Step-byStep Marketing Course for Affiliate Income
• Affiliate Boss
• The Artist’s Way

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!

Feel like you're running on fumes? You’re not alone. As a newly postpartum mom of three, this episode could not have come at a better time—and I know it’ll meet you where you are too. I invited functional nutritionist Kim Perez of Root and Branch Nutrition to walk us through why mom entrepreneurs are especially prone to exhaustion and how to reclaim our energy without adding more to our plate.

We dig into the physiological side of burnout and Kim shares incredibly actionable steps to support your energy, nourish your body, and show up with more focus, presence, and joy.

In this Episode:

• Four overlooked reasons you’re exhausted (hint: it’s not just lack of sleep)
• How to stabilize your blood sugar and eat for energy
• The role of minerals and hydration in your mood and mental clarity

Find It Quickly

• 2:44 - Kim Perez on Energy and Burnout
• 4:05 - Understanding the Impact of Fatigue
• 7:26 - Four Overlooked Energy Drains
• 19:45 - Nourishment Hacks for Busy Moms

Connect With the Guest

• rootandbranchnutrition.com
• instagram.com/rootandbranchnutrition

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 slow season could become your most profitable one? In this episode, guest host Rachel Lee take the mic to share her journey from booked-out creative to strategically building a business that runs beyond her physical presence. We talk about the mindset shift from service provider to systems creator, and how motherhood pushed her to rethink her work and time.

In this Episode:

• How to “buy back” your time with freelancers and SOPs.
• Why packaging what you already use (like templates) can become your first digital product.
• How teaching just one small transformation can lead to impactful educational offers

Mentioned in this Episode

Notion

Affiliate Marketing Jumpstart

Connect With the Guest

narleefilms.com

instagram.com/rachelleefilms

instagram.com/rachellee.mov 

youtube.com/rachellee

payhip.com/RachelLeeCo

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!

There is one skill could change everything—and you might be resisting it. we're handing the mic to Nata Salvatori, a photographer, business coach, and podcast host who is diving into one of the most essential and misunderstood strategies for sustainable business growth: delegation. 

Listen in as she shares her personal journey from working in healthcare with a full support team to building her own business as a solopreneur. Spoiler: trying to do it all nearly burned her out.

I know delegation brings up resistance—frustration, fear, even past trauma from hiring gone wrong. Here's the truth: delegation is a skill, not a personality trait. In this episode, she's showing us how to develop it.

If you’ve ever said, “It’s just faster if I do it myself,” or “I’m not big enough to need help,” this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• The 5 most damaging myths about delegation—and the mindset shifts to overcome them.
• A simple 3-step framework to start delegating effectively today.
• How to separate your self-worth from your workload and step into true leadership.

Mentioned in this Episode

Loom

ClickUp

Trello

Asana

Connect With the Guest

accidentalceo.co

accidentalceo.co/podcast

instagram.com/accidentalceo.co

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!

Ever feel like you're running your business on fumes and calling it success? This week, we're handing the mic to Sabrina Gebhardt, longtime photographer, business coach, and mom of three, who shares her personal story of burnout and the radical shifts that brought her back to life and creativity. 

You'll hear how Sabrina recognized she was in survival mode, the “fixes” that didn’t work, and the deep mindset shifts that finally did. She shares the systems, boundaries, and mindset reframe that helped her move from burnout to sustainable success and how you can start that process too.

Three key takeaways:

• Why doing more won’t fix burnout—and what will.
• How to recognize when you’re stuck in survival mode.
• Practical strategies to reintroduce ease, clarity, and dreaming into your business.

Connect With the Guest Host

sabrinagebhardt.com

instagram.com/sabrinagebhardtphotography

sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast

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!

As an ambitious mom running a business, finding the balance between meeting your goals and managing life’s demands can be downright exhausting. If you’re feeling uninspired yet grappling with deadlines, projects, and ambitions, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing the systems I use when I have to show up for my business despite how I’m feeling. 

In This Episode You'll:

1. Explore avenues of inspiration.
2. Hear systems for productivity.
3. Understand what to do when it's time to work.

Find it quickly:
:02 - Balancing Business and Burnout
1:09 - Host Introduction and Podcast Overview
2:02 - Planning for Uninspired Times
3:51 - Creating a Business Hub
6:26 - Mission Statements and Income Activities
9:32 - Working Uninspired and Avoiding Perfectionism
15:52 - Client Care and Visibility
18:35 - Motivation and Rewards

Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode 105: The Business Reboot Pt. 3 | 3 Ways to Boost Your Visibility
Episode 87: Notion for Business: How I Use Notion to Organize My Business, Content Creation Process, & Team
Episode 53: 10 Tips For Using Instagram Stories to Attract Clients and Grow Your Small Business
Episode 45: Pushing Past Perfectionism in Your Content, Business, and Beyond

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!