Shoot It Straight

Are you avoiding the root problem in your business? In this episode, I’m sharing how I often see business owners solving their loudest problems, when honestly… it’s the quieter issues that need your attention the most. Today, I’m diving into some of those deeper issues and how to diagnose what your business actually needs. 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 high-touch mastermind for established female photographers ready to lead their business, not just run it. Over the six-month experience, you’ll gain clarity on your vision and offers, build sustainable systems, and get to know the most supportive community of women. The program also includes lessons with incredible industry experts, weekly calls, and ongoing accountability. Sign up today to join the waitlist. Review the Show Notes:Vision (4:14)Offer (6:08) Profitability (7:35)Capacity (9:03)Operations (12:57)Marketing (14:32)Diagnosing your problem (16:06)Mentioned in this Episode:Root to Rise: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlistConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

The habits that built your business might now be the ones that are hurting it. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 ways your business may have outgrown the way you’re running it. Plus, my own experience running an outdated business and what needs to be changed for yours to finally feel easier. 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 high-touch mastermind for established female photographers ready to lead their business, not just run it. Over the six-month experience, you’ll gain clarity on your vision and offers, build sustainable systems, and get to know the most supportive community of women. The program also includes lessons with incredible industry experts, weekly calls, and ongoing accountability. Sign up today to join the waitlist.Review the Show Notes:You’ve been making it work (1:42)My own experience running an outdated business (3:54)You’re saying yes to everything (7:01)You’re customizing everything (10:34)You’re personally touching every single task (12:24)You’re following every marketing tip (14:11)You’re treating your availability as the same as your capacity (16:08)Mentioned in this Episode:Root to Rise: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlistConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Is it really worth it to spend time on SEO? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with coach Brittany Herzberg about the impact of SEO on lead generation for your business. Plus, how spending just a few hours optimizing your SEO can help you get found without having to live on Instagram. 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:Meet Brittany (1:05)Brittany’s journey into SEO (2:14)Why entrepreneurs focus on social media instead of SEO (7:38)How it feels to have leads coming in without you having to show up (12:56)The three phases of visibility (18:23)One easy step to boost searchability (23:28)What you might be getting wrong about location (26:46)Why you need to be blogging (29:45)Showing up in AI search (31:19)Putting variety into your blog (34:16)When you can take a step back from focusing on SEO (37:47)What actually doesn’t matter for AI search (42:04)How much time it takes to see results (44:12)Connect with Brittany:Website: brittanyherzberg.comThe Basic B Podcast: brittanyherzberg.com/the-basic-b-podcastInstagram: instagram.com/brittany_herzbergThreads: threads.com/@brittany_herzbergConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Are you constantly stressed about making your gallery deadlines? In today’s episode, I’m sharing a few things you may need to hear. Because the truth is, as photographers we are not in a business of emergencies. Your business is better off when you take care of yourself, even if the gallery is late. 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:We are not in an emergency business (0:48)You can change your deadlines (2:18)Closing my laptop at the same time every day (3:52)My sticky note reminder (5:56)Your business will survive (7:05)Mentioned in this Episode:Episode 204: Why You Keep Falling Behind (And It Has Nothing To Do With Discipline) with Amanda McKinney: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/204-why-you-keep-falling-behindConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Are you hesitant to invest in in-person events or retreats? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with creative educator coach Laylee Emadi about how nothing replaces the experience you get from being in the room. We’re sharing what to expect when you’re attending in-person events, how to get the most out of your investment, and the responsibilities of both educator and attendee. 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 Laylee (1:55)Laylee’s early experiences of “getting in the room” (3:26)What’s so great about being in the room (10:03)Witnessing impactful moments in-person (15:19)Why people choose not to participate in events or retreats (20:23)Responsibilities of both attendee and educator (27:23)Advice for the entrepreneur who feels like she doesn’t belong (33:08)What changes first once you get into the room (35:46)The best transformations we’ve seen at events (38:22)Why more growth happens in-person (42:26)To the woman who keeps not signing up (44:43)Mentioned in this Episode:More Money, Less Burnout: sabrinagebhardt.com/business-resetRoot to Rise: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlistConnect with Laylee:Website: layleeemadi.comInstagram: instagram.com/laylee_emadiThe Creative Educator Conference: layleeemadi.com/conferenceThe Laylee Emadi Podcast: layleeemadi.com/category/podcast-episodesConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Are you prepared for the busy season, or are you headed straight for burnout? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with photographer and business coach Emily Woodall Gbadamosi about the 3 systems you can set up now to give yourself an easier fall season. Plus, we share what a difference these systems have made in our businesses.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 Emily (1:20)What fall looks like without systems (3:04)When Emily realized she needed systems (6:27)Create a consistent booking process (11:51)What to tackle first in your booking process (18:41)How long it takes to get your booking process ready to go (22:07)Have an AI editing system (23:55)Automating your communication after the session (34:28)Why photographers avoid boundaries (40:39)Deciding on your capacity and time boundaries (47:16)Where to start now on building your systems (55:45)What busy season looks like when you have systems (57:58)Mentioned in this Episode:More Money, Less Burnout: sabrinagebhardt.com/business-resetSabrina’s Imagen AI affiliate link: imagen-ai.com?ref=sabrinaSabrina’s Dubsado affiliate link - save 20%: dubsado.com/?c=sgplovesdubsadoConnect with Emily:Website: woodallcreative.coInstagram: instagram.com/woodallcreativecoSystems Style Quiz: woodallcreative.co/systems-style-quizEmily’s Honeybook affiliate link: share.honeybook.com/emilywoodallphotoConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Have you ever had someone copy parts of your business? Or worse… have you ever been the one copying? In today’s episode, I’m diving into copying: why I think people do it, my experience being on both sides of it, and how I handle the issue now. Plus, an important reminder that building a successful business requires being authentically yourself. 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: Why people copy (0:51)Most copycats don’t think they’re copycats (3:28)I have copied and been copied (4:10)Do you say something when you’re being copied? (8:45)The deeper impact from being copied (11:06)How copying someone else actually hurts you (13:00)Your brand needs YOU (18:31)Mentioned in this Episode:More Money, Less Burnout: sabrinagebhardt.com/business-resetConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Have you ever felt like you’re ready for something new? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with guest Natasha Sewell about her decision to close her successful photography business after 13 years and start a needlepoint business instead. We talk about when the photography business started to not feel good anymore, plus the challenges and successes she and her business partner (her sister!) have had in their new venture.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:Get to know Natasha (1:20)How Sabrina and Natasha first met and started working together (2:37)How it felt to have success in both photography and education (3:49)When the business started to not feel good anymore (6:00)Where needlepoint came into Natasha and Sabrina’s lives (9:45)How Natasha’s needlepoint business came to be (13:29)How the needlepoint business felt compared to photography (18:26)How it felt to close the photography business (19:36)The day the decision was made to close the business (23:12)The financial side of starting a product-based business (25:39)Navigating a supply shortage (28:56)Preparing larger drops for a growing audience (31:26)When business partners (and sisters) live in different states (33:59)What’s next for Georgie & Lottie (35:50)Finding success with social media marketing (38:58)Advice for the entrepreneur who is considering something new (40:35)Connect with Natasha:Georgie & Lottie Website: georgieandlottie.comGeorgie & Lottie TikTok: tiktok.com/@georgieandlottiecoGeorgie & Lottie Instagram: instagram.com/georgieandlottiecoOh, Stitch Podcast: georgieandlottie.com/oh-stitch-podcastBeginner Needlepoint Playlist Freebie: georgieandlottie.com/playlistConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt