It’s the quarterly business bestie chat! In this episode, Colie James and I are chatting in-person after spending a few days at a conference together. We’re recapping Q1 of 2026 and looking ahead to Q2. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

Review the Show Notes:

Recapping the Creative Educator Conference (1:45)

Sabrina’s brand new retreat (9:02)

Colie choosing to offer only one thing (11:27)

A community space for Sabrina’s memberships (13:10)

Re-evaluating our programs (18:46)

Our ad strategy goals (23:13) 

Sparking new ideas (27:43)

Our plans for Q2 (28:57)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 190 From Skeptical to Obsessed with Jaiden Hamilton: 

sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/190-from-skeptical-to-obsessed-with-jaiden-hamilton/

Root To Rise Summer Camp: sabrina-gebhardt.myflodesk.com/summercamp

Our Quarterly Business Bestie Chats:

Q1 2026: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/183-q1-2026-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Q4 2025 : sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/165-q4-2025-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Q3 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-james

Q2 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q2-2025-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Q1 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/128-q1-2025-business-bestie-chat

Q4 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q4-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james

Q3 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-james

Q2 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/88-q2-business-besties-chat-with-colie-james

Q1 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/75-quarterly-business-chat-with-colie-james

Connect with Colie:

Podcast: coliejames.com/podcast

Instagram: instagram.com/coliejames

Website: coliejames.com

Connect with Sabrina:

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feel like you’re doing everything right, but your offers aren’t selling out like they used to? I’m hearing this a lot from the women I coach, and in today’s episode I’m diving into why this might be happening. Plus, 3 things you can do to fix it before your next launch.

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

Review the Show Notes:

You’re launching to the same list (1:17)

What a stale email list might look like (2:57)

You only send emails when you’re launching (4:12)

Pause and plan for list growth (7:01)

Creating value with your freebie (8:20)

Use your offers to build a waitlist (11:49)

Get creative with collaborations (12:40)

Nurture your audience in-between selling (15:05)

Consider running Meta ADs (16:00)

3 things to do before your next launch (18:19)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

The First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membership  | Use code: 50% off first month "PODCASTDEAL"

Marketing That Attracts: sabrinagebhardt.com/marketing

Episode 191 Meta ADs for Beginners with Brooklyn Grotte: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/191-meta-ads-for-beginners-with-brooklyn-grotte

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does a strong marriage look like for an entrepreneur? In today’s episode, I’m sharing my own experience of what marriage has looked like with the demands of owning a business, raising a family, and so much more. Plus, what it has meant for my husband and I to truly choose each other.

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

Review the Show Notes:

Sharing our lowest point (2:40)

Doubling down and choosing each other (4:51)

Hidden pressures of marriage (6:36)

What we did to make things better (8:50)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

The First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membership

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Curious about Meta Ads? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with ad specialist Brooklyn Grotte and breaking down how simple it can be to get started with ads. We’re talking about the best strategies, how affordable it actually is, plus what to do when your ads aren’t performing. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

This episode is brought to you by More Money, Less Burnout, a 14-day business reset. Each day includes short audios plus one tiny action step to help you create more income, better boundaries, and some breathing room in your business. Grab the free reset today! 

Review the Show Notes:

Meet Brooklyn (1:34)

From photographer to ad specialist (2:52)

The biggest misconception about running ads (7:14)

What to do before you invest in ads (8:15)

Where to start with lead generation ads (12:02)

What makes an ad convert (13:49)

Where to start with ad spend (17:51)

How long to wait before deciding that an ad isn’t working (20:04)

Ad metrics to watch (21:05)

What to do when an ad flops (24:04)

The first three steps to your first ad (26:37)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

More Money, Less Burnout: sabrinagebhardt.com/business-reset

Connect with Brooklyn:

Website: bizwithbrooklyn.com

Instagram: instagram.com/bizwithbrooklyn

Out Of Office Signature Program: bizwithbrooklyn.com/out-of-office

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you still a bit skeptical about TikTok? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with my content strategist, Jaiden Hamilton and diving into my personal experience on the platform. We’re diving into how the algorithm differs from other platforms, how to use TikTok to benefit your business, plus your first steps for getting started. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight.

This episode is brought to you by More Money, Less Burnout, a 14-day business reset. Each day includes short audios plus one tiny action step to help you create more income, better boundaries, and some breathing room in your business. Grab the free reset today! 

Review the Show Notes:

Meet Jaiden (2:20)

My initial feelings and journey on TikTok (2:44)

How the TikTok algorithm differs from other platforms (6:19)

The most surprising things about TikTok (11:49)

The community on TikTok (14:46)

There’s room for all types of creators (18:41)

Do you need a niche? (20:39)

Marketing a local-based business on TikTok (27:23)

The difference in content creation across platforms (28:50)

The right age for TikTok (34:23)

You just downloaded TikTok: now what? (35:24)

Advice for beginners (41:59)

Embrace being boring (or decide you’re not) (44:29)

If you’re still intimidated by TikTok (48:37)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

More Money, Less Burnout: sabrinagebhardt.com/business-reset

Connect with Jaiden: 

Website: theravesocial.com

Instagram: instagram.com/theravesocial

Connect with Sabrina:

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

TikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your business feel heavy lately? Maybe it’s starting to feel more draining than fulfilling. In today’s episode, I’m talking about why your business might be feeling that way, plus steps you can take to fix it. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight.

This episode is brought to you by Root To Rise, a mastermind and retreat for female photographers where personal development meets business growth. During the four-month experience, students have weekly calls focused on goals, boundaries, money, and marketing.  The program also includes incredible guest teachers, a private Facebook community, and weekly Voxer hours with individualized guidance and mentorship. Sign up today to join the waitlist.

Review the Show Notes: 

What I mean by your business feeling “heavy” (2:03)

You are carrying too much alone (3:08)

You found success with no structure (6:24)

You are constantly making decisions (9:36)

You are consuming more than implementing (11:58)

Your business outgrew the version of you who built it (14:36)

Connect with Sabrina:

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

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve been asking for it… and it’s officially here! In today’s episode, I’m announcing Root To Rise Summer Camp: the in-person retreat for all types of female entrepreneurs, not just photographers. Listen in for a peek behind the scenes of how the retreat came to be and what you can expect from this brand new experience. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight.

Review the Show Notes:

An idea set in motion at the Root To Rise Retreat (1:00)

Why I needed to talk this idea over with my husband (5:04)

Announcing the Root To Rise Summer Camp (9:47)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

Root To Rise Summer Camp: sabrina-gebhardt.myflodesk.com/summercamp

The First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membership

Connect with Sabrina:

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you in a rush to achieve your goals? In today’s episode, I’m sharing an honest truth: the key to success is often slow, steady momentum. I’m diving into a few stories from my own experiences of coaching women to prove that this can be true. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight. 

Review the Show Notes:

Follow your intuition and do the work (1:41)

Progress is slow (4:25)

Steady momentum is the shortcut (9:13)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

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

Connect with Sabrina:

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you lose the momentum in your business? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the reality of building up your confidence as a business owner again after a slower period. Plus, what I’ve done personally to get my mojo back. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight.

Review the Show Notes:

The mindset struggles with slowing down (3:27)

My own experience with losing momentum (7:39)

How I got my confidence back (11:03)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

More Money, Less Burnout: sabrinagebhardt.com/business-reset

The First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membership

Connect with Sabrina:

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How will you elevate your business in 2026? In today’s episode, I’m introducing the First Class Lounge, my brand new membership created for women who want consistent coaching and community. I dive into the story of how First Class came to be, and how it was created from all I’ve learned through five years of community-driven growth and support. 

The Shoot It Straight Podcast is brought to you by Sabrina Gebhardt, photographer and educator. Join us each week as we discuss what it’s like to be a female creative entrepreneur while balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood. If you’re trying to find balance in this exciting place you’re in, yet willing to talk about the hard stuff too, Shoot It Straight Podcast is here to share practical and tangible takeaways to help you shoot it straight.

Review the Show Notes:

How I knew The Round Table needed to change (1:16)

Gaining clarity through a massive rebrand (5:07)

A space for all female business owners (6:14)

Refining the group’s container (8:18)

Offering support without pressure (11:37)

Who The First Class Lounge is for and who it’s not (12:28)

Mentioned In This Episode: 

The First Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membership

More Money, Less Burnout: sabrinagebhardt.com/business-reset

Connect with Sabrina:

Instagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardt

Website: sabrinagebhardt.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.