In today’s episode, I’m joined by Minneapolis DJ and event host Benny Nord for a conversation that every wedding pro needs to hear. Benny has become one of the most trusted DJs in our market — couples literally plan their wedding dates around his availability — and it has far less to do with music and far more to do with how he makes people feel.

We’re diving into the soft skills that truly transform the client experience and what it looks like to put people first, even in the busiest seasons of business.

• Why connection matters more than perfection in creative work

• How “looking up more often” completely shifts your presence on a wedding day

• The difference between guest experience and client experience — and why they’re inseparable

• How to know when a client isn’t the right fit (and how to turn them away with kindness)

• Handling unexpected moments with confidence and care

• The simple audits Benny uses to consistently improve his client experience

Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, planner, or any creative in the wedding space, this episode will help you rethink how you show up — not just technically, but relationally.

Instagram: @bennynord

UP Event Group: @upeventgroup

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December can feel loud, overwhelming, and full of pressure—holiday chaos, Black Friday sales, and the lingering burnout from wedding season. In this episode, we talk about why this month is not the time to overhaul your business or make big decisions, especially when you're operating from exhaustion instead of clarity.

If you’re feeling tired, behind, or pulled in too many directions, this episode gives you permission to slow down and reset before heading into January with a clearer mind.

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If you’ve ever wondered when to hire a VA, what to hand off first, or how to stop “delegating” only to redo the work later, this episode will help you build an outsourcing plan that truly supports your business. I’m joined by Ellie Leonard, Founder and CEO of Virtual Bliss Assisting, to talk about sustainable systems, clear communication, and trust-based partnerships that protect your energy and improve your client experience.

We walk through how to recognize the signs you’re ready for help, what a strong onboarding process looks like, and how to set expectations so tasks get done right the first time. Ellie shares a simple roadmap for choosing your first delegations, creating SOPs without overcomplicating them, and measuring the ROI of admin support versus an online business manager. We also cover how to course-correct if you’ve had a less-than-ideal outsourcing experience, and ways to structure weekly rhythms so you stay in your lane while your VA keeps the back end moving.

If you’re tired of juggling everything yourself and want structure that fits your season, this conversation will give you the language, steps, and confidence to delegate well.

STAY CONNECTED:

• Virtual Bliss Assisting website: https://www.virtualblissassisting.com

• Ellie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualblissassisting

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If this episode helped you rethink how you delegate, follow the show and leave a review so more creatives can find it.

What if your time management wasn’t a rigid system to force yourself into—but a flexible framework that works with your energy, your season, and your actual life? In this episode, I’m joined by time management and productivity coach Lauren Glynn to talk about building sustainable structure as a creative, testing your “ideal week” instead of guessing, and making small shifts that unlock real momentum.

We dig into how to recognize misalignment (busy but not effective), why tracking your time honestly is the first step to change, and how to design your calendar around your energy patterns instead of defaulting to what everyone else does. Lauren shares her BREK Framework (Baseline, Record, Evaluate, Keep practicing), along with her “Hell Yes Task Sorter” approach to clarify what you should keep, automate, delegate, or drop. We also talk about experimenting with meeting days, protecting creative focus time, and adjusting your systems by season so you’re not burning out in the busiest months.

If you’ve tried every planner and still feel behind, this conversation will help you build a simple, repeatable rhythm that actually supports your business and your life.

• Hell Yes Task Sorter (Notion template): https://laurenglynn.com/hellyes

• Connect with Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurengconsulting/

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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

• Content Strategy Boot Camp: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/content

Have you ever looked at someone else's business and wondered how they “made it” so quickly?

In this episode of the Take Your Shot Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on what “overnight success” really looks like—and why it’s almost always anything but overnight. I’m sharing real stories (including one from a YouTuber who worked for 10 years before seeing traction) and my own journey building a business that’s sustainable, fulfilling, and built on systems—not hustle.

If you’ve ever felt behind, burnt out, or unsure whether your hard work is ever going to pay off… this episode is for you.

You'll walk away with:

• Why consistency is your most underrated advantage
• How to build a business that can actually last
• Why comparing your journey to someone else’s middle will always backfire
• And what it takes to create momentum that compounds over time

Whether you're in year one or year ten of your business, this episode is your reminder that your work matters—and it’s working even when it doesn’t feel like it yet.

• Learn more about the Booking breakthrough
• Free Business Resources & Tools
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle
• Follow on Instagram

If you found this episode helpful, leave a review and share it with a friend who needs to hear this today.

Ever finish a consultation call and wonder if you really connected with the couple? In this episode, I’m sharing three intentional things I do in every single inquiry call that consistently lead to more bookings—without feeling salesy or scripted.

If you want to book more weddings, serve your couples better from the very first conversation, and create an experience that makes you the obvious choice—this one’s for you.

We’re talking about the power of asking better questions, making couples feel known, and guiding them in a way that builds trust right from the start.

You’ll walk away with simple changes you can make on your next call that could lead to your next “yes.”

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Join our free online community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

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Connect on Instagram: @takeyourshotcollective

If you’ve ever looked at another entrepreneur and thought, “How is she doing it all?” — this one’s for you.

This week, I’m joined by systems and automation expert Taylor Hedden of Chanel & Lee. She’s a Dubsado specialist, a mom of two, a photographer, a podcast host, and the owner of a thriving consulting business. And somehow? She’s not drowning in her inbox.

In this episode, Taylor walks us through her journey from burned-out VA to building a business designed around her life — not the other way around. You’ll hear her exact process for building workflows, what to automate first, and how to stop spending your best energy on repetitive tasks. If you’re ready to create more space, serve your clients better, and actually enjoy running your business again… this is the episode for you.

What you’ll learn:

• How Taylor got started with systems and automation — and why it changed everything
• What she recommends automating first (and what’s not worth your time)
• Why your brand voice matters more when automating — not less
• The tool she says is the most underrated feature in Dubsado

Links & Resources:

• Taylor’s Free Client Experience Library: https://chanelandlee.com/the-ex-library

• Connect with Taylor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanelandlee

• Explore her services & shop: https://www.chanelandlee.com

Try Dubsado for free

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If there’s something you want — a dream, a vision, or a next step in your business — but you keep hitting a wall, this episode is for you. Because sometimes the thing standing in your way isn’t strategy… it’s fear.

In this episode of the Take Your Shot Podcast, I’m walking you through three of the most common fears I see over and over again — in my own life, in my students, and in other creatives trying to build something meaningful.

Each one can be sneaky. They show up as procrastination, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and overthinking — and they often disguise themselves as being “realistic.” But when you name them, you can move through them.

We’ll talk about what these fears sound like, how they show up, and practical ways to move forward anyway — because you don’t have to be fearless to take action. You just have to start.

Want support as you grow your business and move past the fear?

→ Apply for coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Resources + Links:

• Business resources & tools: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

• Follow on Instagram: @takeyourshotcollective

If this episode hit home, send it to a friend or share your favorite takeaway on Instagram and tag me — I love hearing from you!

Curious about landing paid travel partnerships or diving into the world of user-generated content (UGC)? In this episode, I sit down with Mallory Green to talk about how she’s built a thriving content creation business centered around UGC and brand partnerships—especially in the travel and lifestyle space.

Mallory shares how she got started, the mindset shifts she had to make, and her top advice for creatives who want to work with brands—without having a massive audience. We talk about pricing your work confidently, negotiating with brands, and what it takes to build long-term brand relationships rooted in trust.

Whether you're new to content creation or looking to add a revenue stream beyond your service-based business, this episode will help you see what's possible.

Connect with Mallory Green

Website: www.reinsmarketing.com

Instagram: @ouitravelpodcast

More From Take Your Shot Collective

We're all about supporting and elevating creative business owners, and so along with our weekly business podcast, we have so much more to share with you! Get plugged in, take what you need, and let me know how I can continue to support you in your business.

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If you enjoyed this episode of the Take Your Shot Podcast, don’t forget to leave a review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m sharing the full story behind the $8,000 wedding I turned down. Not because it wasn’t good money. Not because I didn’t need the booking. But because it wasn’t aligned—and saying yes would’ve compromised the client’s experience, my values, and the kind of business I want to run.

We talk about how to trust your gut, how to navigate uncomfortable client conversations with kindness and professionalism, and what it looks like to serve with integrity—especially when the stakes are high.

If you’ve ever second-guessed a boundary or wondered how to stay client-first without getting walked over, this episode is for you.

Shop contracts from the Legal Paige https://thelegalpaige.com/?aff=804

• Join our free online community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

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• Follow along on Instagram: https://instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

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