The Artisan CEO

On this episode, we’ll be talking about a topic that often sends shivers down the spine of many creatives: numbers. Numbers aren’t your enemy, even when you’re an artist and feel like your work is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the math side of things. The less afraid you are of facing the numbers, the better you’ll be able to predict your income, know when to course correct (and HOW to do that), and make decisions that will have the biggest payoff, instead of clinging to the “hope for the best” strategy that might end up leaving you… well, you know what they say about good intentions.

Resources mentioned:

• Brand Photography Academy
• Season 1, Episode 10: Six SOPs That'll Save Hours of Time
• abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we’ll delve into the world of streamlining your business operations through the power of Standard Operating Procedures. I'll be sharing some personal anecdotes and practical insights to help you implement SOPs in your own entrepreneurial journey.

Resources mentioned:

• Deep Work by Cal Newport*
• Brand Photography Academy
• Honeybook (get 50% off your first year with this link!)*
• Wave Accounting
• abbygrace.co/podcast

*Please note that these are affiliate links and that we do earn a small commission. We wouldn't recommend anything that we don't personally use, so please know that these are items we love!

On this episode, we’ll be talking about what it takes to become "so good they can't ignore you." I’ve invested a LOT in photography & business education over the years-cumulatively, we’re talking tens of thousands of dollars. Why? Because courses and coaching, even books, they’re all ethical forms of shortcuts! This has lead me to refuse to accept “good enough” as good enough, and to become a forever student. 

Resources mentioned:

• Season 1, Episode 7 - If I Were Starting Over...
• Primed To Launch by Ashlyn Carter
• Offer Cure by Funnel Gorgeous
• Brand Photography Academy
• Top Performer course by Cal Newport
• So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport*
• Deep Work by Cal Newport*
• abbygrace.co/podcast

*Please note that these are affiliate links and that we do earn a small commission. We wouldn't recommend anything that we don't personally use, so please know that these are items we love!

On this episode, I chat with Dennah Renee, good friend of mine and on-set assistant for my travel shoots. She’s been a business owner for over 3 years and is in the process of transitioning into brand photography full time joining Brand Photography Academy in March of 2021. Before that, she had experimented with doing some headshots, but she didn’t know how to get the results she knew were possible. We’ll talk about some of Dennah’s challenges and shifts and how BPA helped her business grow. We’ll go into some depth with pricing and how to respond when people ask for discounts and how to start thinking as a CEO rather than an artist.

Resources mentioned:

• Dennah Renee Photography
• Brand Photography Academy
• abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we’ll explore the question: "If I had to start my business from scratch, how would I do it?" This question becomes especially relevant in a world where digital assets, like social media followings, can vanish overnight. I share personal insights and experiences from a dozen years in the business, emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation over fleeting success.

Resources mentioned:

• Brand Photography Academy
• Pre-Shoot Questionnaire
• abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we're diving into a pivotal moment in my career journey – the transition from wedding to brand photography. I'm sharing my accidental foray into brand photography, sparked by a friend's need for cohesive website images. Initially a side offer, it eventually turned into my full-time profession through the strategic use of beta clients to build my portfolio and establish expertise.

Resources mentioned:

• Season 1, Episode 5: Branding 101
• abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we’ll be delving deep into the world of branding. It's a term that's buzzing everywhere nowadays, with more brand strategists, designers, and photographers emerging than ever before. But why this sudden surge? Well, let's explore the factors behind this acceleration together.

Resources mentioned:

• Branding Foundations
• Brand Photography Academy
• abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we’ll be talking about the reason behind why I left the wedding industry. I candidly reflect on the pivotal moments, challenges, and triumphs encountered along the way, offering insights into the transformative process of aligning my career with my values and aspirations.

Resources mentioned:

• Brand Photography Academy
• abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we'll be talking about the struggles of maintaining control in your entrepreneurial journey and how to step back into the driver's seat of your business. I'll discuss the importance of setting boundaries, pacing yourself, and outsourcing tasks to avoid burnout. I'll share practical tips and strategies for regaining control and staying true to your vision as an entrepreneur.

Resources mentioned:

• It's Not About The Nail video
• Photographer's Edit
• Align Album Design
• Social Squares
• Social Curator
• Wisestamp
• Boomerang for Gmail app
• Social Selling Prompts
• abbygrace.co/podcast

On this episode, we’ll be jumping into the tricky world of pricing in the creative industry. As an artist, society isn’t going to be the one to tell you you should charge more in order to turn a profit- it’s going to come down to you knowing what it costs to run your business, what you need to bring in in order to meet your financial needs, what kind of long-term savings goals you have like college funds, retirement, heck- even that Disney trip you’ve been wanting to take with your kids! Healthy businesses grow year over year, and in order to do that, you’ve got to turn a PROFIT.

Resources mentioned:

• Ashlyn Writes
• Real Artists Don't Starve by Jeff Goins*
• abbygrace.co/podcast

*Please note that these are affiliate links and that we do earn a small commission. We wouldn't recommend anything that we don't personally use, so please know that these are items we love!