For this episode, we're doing something a little different. I'm sitting at my actual kitchen island with my husband, Nick, who has had a front-row seat to all five years of this business.

One of my biggest takeaways looking back is that none of this happened overnight. I started with zero followers, no real idea what I was doing, and no way of knowing what this business would look like five years later. The relationships, confidence, clients, community, and opportunities were built slowly over time.

And now, five years in, I can finally see just how much bigger the vision has become.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why I really left teaching and what Nick thought about the decision
• What my first year of entrepreneurship actually looked like
• Building a business while preparing to become a mom
• How motherhood changed the way I thought about work, time, and childcare
• The conference that completely changed what I believed was possible for my business
• Why getting into rooms with other entrepreneurs became such an important part of my growth
• The difference between where I started and the confidence I have five years later
• Why you can't compare your year one to someone else's year five
• What I think the next five years could look like

If you're in the early years of your business and wondering why you're not “there” yet, I hope this episode gives you some perspective. Five years is a long time. You're allowed to change your mind, change your offers, become a completely different person, and build something bigger than you could see when you started.

You don't have to know exactly where you're going. Sometimes you just need to start.

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!

At some point in every business, you realize you can't keep doing everything yourself.

Maybe you're answering client emails at your kid's soccer practice. Maybe your sticky notes have taken over your desk. Or maybe you've hired help before, but it still feels like everything depends on you.

In this episode of Kitchen Island HQ, I'm joined by Amber Motes, owner of Serendipio Social, to unpack the difference between a Virtual Assistant and an Online Business Manager (OBM), and how to know which one your business actually needs.

Amber shares her journey from healthcare management to entrepreneurship and explains why stepping into an OBM role completely transformed the way she serves her clients. We also talk about the biggest misconceptions around hiring support, why so many entrepreneurs accidentally become the bottleneck in their own business, and how creating the right operational foundation gives you back your time, energy, and peace of mind.

Whether you're a solo business owner who feels overwhelmed or you're starting to build a team, this conversation will help you understand how to grow your business without carrying every responsibility yourself.

In this episode, we cover:

• The real difference between a Virtual Assistant and an OBM
• The signs you've become the bottleneck in your own business
• Why burnout is often an operational problem, not a motivation problem
• How an OBM helps bring structure to big ideas and keeps projects moving
• Why moms in business need support from people who truly understand this season of life

Connect with Amber

Instagram: @serendipiosocial

Book a Discovery Call with Amber

Join the Made for Mothers Virtual Village for $19 for your first month. 

Loved this episode?

If you enjoyed today's conversation, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another business owner who feels like she's carrying the weight of her entire business on her shoulders.

Remember, growing your business doesn't mean doing more yourself. Sometimes the biggest growth happens when you build the right support around you.

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!

We've all been told that successful business owners have somehow "figured out" work-life balance. But what if balance isn't the goal?

In this episode, I'm joined by business strategist Jessie Shaw to talk about what it really looks like to build a business that supports your life instead of competing with it. As a former photographer turned strategist, Jessie helps creative entrepreneurs create businesses that can withstand real life, from sick kids and school schedules to unexpected life changes.

If you've ever felt like you're failing because you can't keep up with everything, this conversation will remind you that you don't need better balance. You need better systems, realistic expectations, and a business built around your actual life.

In This Episode We Cover:

•  Why work-life balance is the wrong goal 
•  What it means to become a "sturdy business owner" 
•  Building your business around your real capacity instead of unrealistic expectations 
•  Why simple systems outperform complicated ones every time 
•  How to create a business that survives difficult seasons 
•  Why your inquiry workflow is one of the highest ROI systems you can build 
•  Practical ways to reduce your mental load at home and in your business 

Connect with Jessie: 

•  Website: The Focus Collective 
•  Instagram: @thefocus.co 
•  TikTok: @thefocus.co 

If You Loved This Episode

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another mom who's trying to build a business without sacrificing her family or herself.

And if your business feels like it's held together by sticky notes, memory, and late-night emails, download my free Inquiry Workflow below. It's the exact framework I use to help service providers automate their client experience while keeping it personal. Because you deserve a business that supports your life, not one that constantly pulls you away from it.

Download my free Inquiry Workflow for Dubsado 

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!

What if the secret to building a more profitable business wasn't working harder, but leading your clients better?

In this episode of Kitchen Island HQ, I'm joined by business consultant and former floral designer Jeri Solomon. After spending 30 years running a successful floral design business, Jeri now helps event professionals and other high-touch service providers create businesses that are more sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable to run.

Together, we dive into the mindset shifts that separate overwhelmed business owners from confident CEOs. We talk about why systems actually create a better client experience, how to stop people-pleasing without sacrificing exceptional service, and why "good clients are made, not born."

Whether you're a wedding professional, creative entrepreneur, or service provider looking to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can implement immediately.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Jeri transitioned from a 30-year floral design career into business consulting
• How to confidently lead your clients instead of letting them lead you
• Why clear expectations create happier clients
• The connection between boundaries, pricing, and profitability
• Creating a client experience that feels thoughtful from beginning to end
• Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and building a sustainable business
• Financial lessons every entrepreneur should teach their children

Website: https://jerisolomon.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerisolomon.co

Be sure to sign up for Jeri's newsletter for practical business insights, strategies, and resources for event professionals and high-touch service providers.

Loved this episode?

If you enjoyed this conversation, it would mean so much if you subscribed to Kitchen Island HQ, left a review, and shared this episode with another creative business owner who needs to hear it.

Because building a successful business shouldn't come at the expense of the life you're working so hard to create.

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!

What happens when your private chef business goes viral... but every inquiry lands in your inbox?

In this episode of The Kitchen Island, I'm walking you through exactly how I would set up Dubsado for a private chef, from the very first inquiry all the way through booking, onboarding, event preparation, and post-event follow-up.

Whether you're a private chef or another service-based business owner, this episode will help you create a client experience that feels luxurious while saving hours of administrative work each week.

If your Instagram bio still says "Email me to inquire,"  OR you need help with money mindset, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why "email me to inquire" is costing you clients
• How to create custom proposals without starting from scratch every time
• Setting proposal expiration dates and retainers
• Creating a luxury client experience through thoughtful communication
• Post-event workflows for reviews, referrals, and repeat bookings
• Why automation actually makes your client experience feel more personal

This episode is also packed with practical advice around pricing, creating repeatable systems, and building a business that doesn't rely on you answering emails at all hours of the day.

Resources Mentioned:

Meredith Hayden from The Wishbone Kitchen

We Should All Be Millionaires

Unreasonable Hospitality

If You Enjoyed This Episode...

Please subscribe to The Kitchen Island and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps more service providers discover the show and build businesses that run with less manual work and more intention.

And if there's another industry you'd love me to break down next, send me a DM on Instagram. I'd love to add it to the series.

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!

If you're building a personal brand, chances are you've asked yourself this question at least once: How much of my kids should I share online?

It's a conversation that feels more complicated than ever.

As business owners, we know people buy from people. They want connection. They want to know the person behind the business. But where do you draw the line when your children become part of your everyday life?

In this episode, I'm sharing my honest thoughts on navigating motherhood and visibility online. Not because I think there's one right answer, but because I think it's a conversation every parent in business should have.

I talk about the experiences that completely changed my perspective, the research that made me stop and think, and the personal boundaries my husband and I have chosen for our own family.

This episode is simply an invitation to think more intentionally about what we share, why we share it, and how those decisions may affect our children years from now.

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!

In today's episode, I'm sharing some exciting personal news: I've officially become the Boston Chapter Leader for Made for Mothers.

This wasn't something I planned. It started with a free webinar, turned into joining a community that immediately felt like home, and quickly became an opportunity I simply couldn't pass up. 

In this episode, I'm sharing the story of how it all happened, why I said yes, and why I believe every mom building a business deserves more than traditional networking.

If you've ever felt like you're building your business alone or wished you had people who truly "get it," this episode is for you.

I'd love to meet you in person at one of our future Boston events. 

You can learn more about Made for Mothers. 

You can join us in the Virtual Village for just $19 for your first month with my affiliate link. 

Local to Boston? Join the waitlist to hear about venue announcements and ticket releases first. https://kellymccracken.myflodesk.com/madeformothers

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!

In this solo episode, Kelly McCracken shares a comprehensive guide on how to set up a seamless and personalized client experience for brand photographers using Dubsado. 

She covers inquiry workflows, client communication, proposal automation, and tips for building a sustainable business.

Key Topics:

• Inquiry workflow setup in Dubsado
• Automating client communication and scheduling
• Personalized proposals and contracts
• Client questionnaires and shot list management
• Follow-up and review processes

Takeaways:

• Use automation to streamline inquiry and booking processes.
• Personalize client interactions to build trust and loyalty.
• Set clear deadlines and boundaries to avoid confusion.
• Leverage Dubsado features like proposals and client portals.
• Regularly review and improve your client experience.

Dubsado, client experience, brand photography, automation, workflow, business tips, client onboarding, proposal setup, photography business, Kelly McCracken

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!

What makes someone choose you when there are dozens of talented business owners offering something similar?

According to brand and website designer Jordan Chan, it has very little to do with having the prettiest logo or the trendiest website.

In this episode, Jordan shares how branding, client experience, and authenticity work together to help you attract better clients, stand out in a crowded market, and create a business that feels aligned with who you are.

Jordan is the founder of J. Ashley Innovations, where she creates color-drenched brands and websites for wedding professionals and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to stop blending in and start building a business that feels unmistakably theirs.

We dive into:

• What client experience really means (and why it's much more than workflows and automation)
• How branding impacts every stage of the customer journey
• Why luxury doesn't have to mean formal, stuffy, or impersonal
• The biggest mistakes business owners make when trying to attract high-end clients
• How to use your personality as a competitive advantage
• The role color psychology plays in branding and buying decisions
• Why following industry leaders too closely can actually hold you back
• How Jordan gathers strategy and client insights before ever designing a website
• Burnout, creativity, and what helps her stay inspired after eight years in business
• Small client experience touches that leave a lasting impression

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is that your clients may forget what you created for them, but they'll never forget how you made them feel.

Whether you're a wedding professional, creative entrepreneur, or service provider looking to elevate your client experience, this episode will challenge the way you think about branding, luxury, and showing up authentically in your business.

Connect with Jordan

Instagram: @j.ashleyinnovations

Website: jashleyinnovations.com

Take Jordan's "Friends Character CEO" Quiz to discover which Friends character is secretly running your business and what it reveals about your strengths, blind spots, and growth opportunities.

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!

In this episode, I sit down with website copywriter and messaging strategist Amy Hanneke of Hello & Co Creative to talk about the reality of building a business while raising young kids.

Amy shares her journey from dietitian to copywriter, how simplifying her services transformed her business, and why "Complicated Is Cancelled" has become her guiding philosophy in both business and motherhood.

We also dive into planning around the seasons of life, working with limited childcare hours, setting boundaries, raising prices with confidence, and how data can help you make smarter business decisions without burnout.

In this episode, we cover:

•  Why raising your prices isn't just about making more money 
•  Planning your business around summer, holidays, and family life 
•  Working from home with kids and setting realistic expectations 
•  The importance of saying no during busy seasons
•  Why "Complicated Is Cancelled" might be the best business advice you'll hear all year 

Connect with Amy:

•  Website: hellococreativeco.com 
•  Instagram: @hellococreative 
•  Threads: @hellococreative 

If you've ever felt pulled between growing your business and being present with your family, this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged, understood, and reminded that you don't have to do everything at once

Check out Amy's Free Messaging Workshop & Free Guide to Getting Better Reviews.

Connect with Kelly

Website: kellymccracken.co

Instagram: @kellymccracken.co

This episode is sponsored by Dubsado! Try it free for 21 days. No credit card required. When you're ready to upgrade, use code kellymccrackenva for 30% OFF your first paid month or year. 

Heads up: this is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up, but I truly use and love Dubsado and only recommend tools I believe in!