Business-First Creatives

Every creative deserves to turn their craft into a business that brings them joy and profit. Here you'll find a no-BS approach to what it takes to put the business first, prioritizing the systems and strategies that will actually move the needle and ensure your creative business is profitable rather than an expensive side-hustle. Your host is Colie James, a Disney-loving family photographer, and filmmaker turned Workflow and Automations Guru who helps creative service providers automate their sh*t, reclaim their time and get back to living! 

Recent Episodes
  • Communicate with Clients Like a Pro: 5 Tips for a Better Experience with Christine Dammann
    Apr 24, 2025 – 29:40
  • The 3 Must-Have Elements for Every Client Experience Email
    Apr 22, 2025 – 08:11
  • What I Got Wrong About Workflows (and What I’m Focusing on Now)
    Apr 17, 2025 – 08:40
  • SEO is Everywhere: Optimizing Your Content with Brittany Herzberg
    Apr 16, 2025 – 46:50
  • Your Systems Are Doing Too Much (and Clients Feel It) — Simplify Your Systems
    Apr 10, 2025 – 09:45
  • Don’t Blame Your Prices, Fix Your Systems First
    Apr 4, 2025 – 15:56
  • I Audited My Freebies—Here’s What I Found
    Apr 1, 2025 – 18:02
  • How to Create a 5-Minute Booking Process Inside Your Client Experience [Client Experience Series Pt 4]
    Mar 27, 2025 – 11:56
  • How to Design Workflows That Enhance Your Client Experience [Client Experience Series Pt 3]
    Mar 19, 2025 – 16:56
  • From Touchpoints to Timelines: How to Begin Mapping Your Client Experience [Client Experience Series Pt 2]
    Mar 16, 2025 – 12:35
  • How to Improve Your Client Experience: A Breakdown of My Audit Process [Client Experience Series Pt 1]
    Mar 6, 2025 – 15:10
  • Applying for Grants & Overcoming Adversity with Katrina Cross-Daniels
    Feb 27, 2025 – 31:25
  • Client Experience: The Secret to Building Loyalty with Natasha Sewell
    Feb 20, 2025 – 38:23
  • How to Connect with Your Audience in their Inbox with Hannah Davis
    Feb 13, 2025 – 47:25
  • Transforming Networking into Genuine Connections for Business with Mikki Wilson
    Feb 6, 2025 – 49:41
  • Building Your Content Strategy with the Marketing Jar with Dayna Schaaf
    Jan 28, 2025 – 33:52
  • Building a Better Relationship with Money through Storytelling with Katherine Pomerantz
    Jan 16, 2025 – 45:01
  • Strategic Business Planning for Productivity & Growth with Jade Boyd
    Jan 9, 2025 – 45:16
  • 5 Key Metrics Every Business Owner Should Track with Ally Anderson
    Jan 2, 2025 – 45:36
  • How to Switch CRMs Without Sacrificing Your Sanity
    Dec 31, 2024 – 17:53
  • Alternative Streams of Income for Photographers with Lissa Chandler
    Dec 27, 2024 – 34:25
  • Creating Blog Posts for Your Client Experience with Jessie Andrew of Inkpot Creative
    Dec 21, 2024 – 40:04
  • Crafting a Distinct Brand Voice that Matches You with Samantha Pollack
    Dec 18, 2024 – 49:33
  • Leveraging Audio Podcasts for Entrepreneurs and Creative Educators with Lindsay Padilla of Hello Audio
    Nov 28, 2024 – 57:15
  • SEO vs SSO: Why Your Online Presence Needs BOTH with Erin Ollila
    Nov 21, 2024 – 45:57
  • How to Create Systems for Your Worst Days in Business with Sandra Henderson
    Nov 14, 2024 – 50:56
  • Effective Marketing for Photographers with Sabrina Gebhardt [Marketing with Intention]
    Nov 7, 2024 – 38:32
  • Leveraging AI for Content Creation & Advertising Strategy with Hattie Dunstan [Marketing with Intention]
    Oct 31, 2024 – 37:59
  • Hiring a Unicorn Marketing Assistant without Regret with Emily Reagan [Marketing with Intention]
    Oct 24, 2024 – 54:50
  • How to Repurpose Your Content with Intention with Felly Day [Marketing with Intention]
    Oct 17, 2024 – 38:54
  • The Power of In-Person Marketing with Angie McPherson [Marketing with Intention]
    Oct 10, 2024 – 37:53
  • Generating Revenue in Your Business through Affiliate Marketing with Candice Coppola [Marketing with Intention]
    Oct 3, 2024 – 48:58
  • Market Your Business Weekly with Email with Dama Jue [Marketing with Intention]
    Sep 26, 2024 – 46:26
  • Building a Steady Stream of Potential Customers through SEO and Pinterest with Kara Duncan [Marketing with Intention Series]
    Sep 19, 2024 – 39:23
  • Crafting an Intentional Marketing Plan with Tayler Cusick-Hollman [Marketing with Intention Series]
    Sep 12, 2024 – 51:17
  • Storytelling Trends You Should Implement Today with Akua Konadu
    Sep 5, 2024 – 35:37
  • New School Year - New Possibilities
    Aug 26, 2024 – 03:39
  • Simplifying Systems for Creatives Using Airtable from Copywriter on Call
    Aug 20, 2024 – 37:55
  • How to Write Emails Your Clients Love Reading from Big Fun Content
    Aug 1, 2024 – 30:04
  • Discover the Magic of Organizing with Airtable | Annemie Tonken
    Jul 29, 2024 – 50:44
  • How to Socially Sell on Instagram: the Magic of ManyChat Automations with Dayna Schaaf
    Jul 25, 2024 – 48:39
  • Making the Switch from Quickbooks to Xero for Small Business Owners with Madison Brown
    Jul 18, 2024 – 39:54
  • Maximize Your Business with AI: Top Tools & Tips with Dawn Richardson
    Jul 11, 2024 – 34:54
  • Crafting Compelling Copy in Your Marketing with Sara Gillis
    Jul 2, 2024 – 36:32
  • Embracing Workflows & Automations in Your CRM: HoneyBook Case Study with Brittany Herzberg
    Jun 27, 2024 – 41:52
  • Scaling Your 1-to-1 Service into a Digital Product with Angela Tan
    Jun 20, 2024 – 28:24
  • Optimizing Your Program Promise for Measurable Results with Ashley Pendergraft
    Jun 13, 2024 – 36:27
  • Celebrating 2 Years of Business-First Creatives with Sabrina Gebhardt and Annemie Tonken
    Jun 6, 2024 – 50:45
  • Creating Customized, Yet Automated Systems for Your Inquiry Responses with Megan Grove
    May 30, 2024 – 26:00
  • CRM Blueprint Case Study with Katharine Calderwood
    May 23, 2024 – 46:23
Recent Reviews
  • Brittany Herzberg
    Business Owners—Listen Up!
    Not only have I enjoyed being a guest on the Business-First Creatives Podcast, I love listening to the show! Colie James does such a wonderful job of bringing spunk, sass,
  • Hayley372
    Colie is a class act!!
    When starting a business, not only are you looking for ways to make it profitable
  • Quianna Marie
    VIBRANT EDUCATIONAL
    Thank you Colie for sharing the Do’s and Don’t about business strategies as if we’re learning from a sister or best friend! The guests are always impressive and share a ton about business strategies, saving time and increasing productivity. If you’re a busy business owner that’s looking for streamlined tools and workflows, but don’t have the time to google and YouTube everything, POP this podcast in your ear weekly to easily learn more on the go! Then take notes and take action! Highly recommend for small business dreamers just getting started to seasoned professionals and everyone in between!
  • Breepair
    Love this ✨
    This is a great podcast to learn tips on streamlining your business and keep it running effectively and smoothly. Colie always brings on really awesome guests and I look forward to who she will have on next.
  • pianoangel
    Business FIRST
    I love that this podcast is all about the BUSINESS side of things. As creatives, it’s easy to get caught up in the creative side of things and forget about the business. But this podcast helps me to think business first! I love that I can learn to run a more efficient and profitable business by listening to this podcast!
  • Joy Aleman
    So many gems 💎
    I love being able to learn more about business while also feeling like it’s a casual conversation between friends over coffee!! This podcast is full of great tips and strategies for running a more efficient business.
  • AkuaK_
    Love this podcast!
    Colie is such a great host and each guest gives such great tips on how to grow a sustainable business!
  • Haylee Gaffin
    No nonsense advice with tangible takeaways!
    Colie is so great at taking transforming conversations into action steps with her guests! I always leave her episodes with more knowledge and action steps to implement into my business.
  • dreacraftie28
    Colie James Appreciation Day
    I may mark the day that i discovered Colie James as a holiday. Her content has not only been refreshing and funny, but just her relatability and genuineness makes me feel inspired in a way that I've been searching for for longer then I care to admit. I'm going through these episodes like water and I look forward to absorbing all the wonderful things she has to offer.
  • Focused Dan
    Such great energy!
    What I love about Colie is her energy! Yes, the topics are great. Yes, she asks great questions. Yes, she brings on wonderful guests, but her energy is the thread that runs through each episode! She’s always fun to listen to and gets my hyped to make changes in my business! Thanks Colie! Congratulations on 100 episodes!
  • Megan Norman Photography
    Want great actionable items for your business?!
    Then this is the podcast for you!! Colie brings in amazing guests and asks the right questions to give you amazing insights into running a successful business. Plus she is funny and entertaining!! 10 out of 10 recommend!!
  • melissaarlena
    Super Fun and Real!!
    I love that Colie and her guests keep it real. Real stories, real actionable advice to grow your business! You definite want to subscribe and listen each week. Color is a wealth of knowledge and feels like that older sister who has been there done that and can guide you to do it better!
  • Erin Ollila
    I listen to every episode
    I’m so mad at myself for not writing a review until now! I’ve binged almost every episode of Business-First Creatives, and I love them all. Colie is a great host and brings on incredible guests. Plus, her solo episodes are spot on too. Keep the episodes coming, Colie! I’m tuned in!
  • Amanda Warfield
    Fun AND Educational
    Business-First Creatives is THE podcast for entrepreneurs who need to infuse better systems into their business. Colie keeps things fun, while also teaching things that many might typically consider boring.
  • Sara McMillian
    Level up your life with Colie James
    Are you wanting a podcast that will teach you systems to save you? Look no further than RIGHT HERE. Colie will teach you how to turn the business you have into what you want. She will teach you how intentionally plan out your systems so you can have freedom from the computer. The guests she brings on are so great. It’s like a coaching call full of what you didn’t know you were missing. Her thoughtful planning. Knowledge of what she brings to you will LEVEL up your life and business. Start at the beginning, you need ALL she has to offer! A must listen for sure for anyone looking to systematize their life!
  • julietteDC
    Run a Streamline photo biz
    One of favorite podcasts to listen to every week and a must listen for every photographer no matter if they are brand new or already seasoned. You’ll get at least one thing out of each episode in marketing, strategy, CRM…. Colie is the queen of streamlined businesses and data guru. Go listen!
  • Carolina Guzik
    Straight to the point advice!
    Colie is a very charismatic host and always asks the right questions! I love how her episodes are packed with information, however, they feel like a casual chat with a friend. Her advice is always practical and very easy to implement :)
  • SabrinaGinTexas
    Straight Talk to Move the Needle
    Colie knows her stuff and tells it straight. Her podcast is literally like hoping on a quick mentoring call and getting solid information to move the needle in business.
  • Ambiance Special Events
    Holy Business Advice Batman!
    Colie James & this podcast speak to me! Choked full of practical advice, steps to implement, reflection & homework…there are zero excuses here not to be building a business that brings you joy.
  • MegapixiePhotography
    Listen to this woman!!!
    If you’ve ever wished you had a friend who had already done all the research and testing and could just tell you exactly what to buy or what to do to get the results you wanted, you should make friends with Colie... or at least listen to this podcast. Colie is a genius when it comes to smart systems, and manages to make talking about them truly fun. This podcast is a gold mine for any creative trying to run a business!
  • AHK Business Management
    Colie tells it like it is
    Colie brings her veteran business experience to the table with fun and flare. She tells it like it is, from the lows and regrets to celebrating the highs and big wins. This podcast brings a refreshing perspective to growing your business, whether you’re new to entrepreneurship or been around the block a few times. Buckle up - Colie’s about to take you on a wildly fun ride!
  • Kayla.Maltese
    So much valuable info!
    I’ve been getting business advice from Colie for yearrrrs and I am STILL learning so much from her. Each new episode has me reaching for my notes, writing down some new epiphany, some new idea for my business. Colie offers so much value for business big and small and presents it all in an extremely accessible, straightforward, and hilarious way.
  • Lemon and the Sea
    Valuable and actionable for all business owners!
    Colie provides so much value for her listeners. I learn something new that I can implement to improve my business processes and mindset every time! Colie doesn’t hold back on calling it like it is and driving you to take action.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.