Shoot It Straight

What do you do when your business bestie is building an entirely new business while you're just trying to keep your head above water? You hit record and talk about it, obviously. Colie James and I are back for another quarterly Biz Bestie Chat, and this time we're sharing two completely different Q3 experiences.While Colie spent her summer learning how to vibe code, building an app, and creating an entire CRM from scratch, I was navigating one of the most emotionally challenging transitions of motherhood: sending my daughter off to college. I knew it was going to be hard personally, but I wasn't prepared for how much it would impact my motivation and energy in my business.And you know what? I gave myself permission to slow down. In this episode, we're getting honest about what Q3 actually looked like behind the scenes, what we're celebrating, and what we're rethinking as we head into Q4. I'm sharing how the new format of Root to Rise is going, why I decided not to host a retreat this fall, and what I'm doing differently as I prepare for the 2027 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. Mentioned in this episode:The Experience Edit: coliejames.com/the-experience-editRoot to Rise: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlistFirst Class Lounge: sabrinagebhardt.com/membershipSummer Camp: sabrina-gebhardt.myflodesk.com/summercampOur Quarterly Business Bestie Chats:Q2 2026: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/194-q2-2026-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-james Q1 2026: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/183-q1-2026-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-jamesQ4 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/165-q4-2025-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-jamesQ3 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-jamesQ2 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q2-2025-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-jamesQ1 2025: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/128-q1-2025-business-bestie-chatQ4 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q4-business-bestie-chat-with-colie-jamesQ3 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/q3-business-besties-chat-with-colie-jamesQ2 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/88-q2-business-besties-chat-with-colie-jamesQ1 2024: sabrinagebhardt.com/podcast/75-quarterly-business-chat-with-colie-jamesConnect with Colie:Podcast: coliejames.com/podcastInstagram: instagram.com/coliejamesWebsite: coliejames.comConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Busy season is here, but… you don’t feel busy. And it’s making you nervous. Is your business failing? In today’s episode, I’m here to remind you that nothing is wrong with your business. In fact, it might be that you’ve actually built a business that doesn’t overwhelm you during the busy season. 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:We have been trained to view success wrong (5:11)You’re purposely less busy (8:35)Throwing up discounted minis (10:05) Saying yes to work that you’ve already retired (12:27)Deciding you’re failing based on a feeling (13:04)Rewrite how you are tracking success (17:27)Look at the freedom with gratitude (18:54)You built this intentionally (19:44)Mentioned in this Episode:Root to Rise: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlistConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

Do you know how many sessions you truly need? In today’s episode, we’re doing capacity math and figuring out the sweet spot as far as how many sessions you have. Plus, a reminder that you’re booking based on your capacity, not your availability. 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:Why we keep booking based on availability (2:49)My client who was working far beyond her capacity (5:24)The time behind every session (13:23)Where to start with your capacity (17:40)Mentioned in this Episode:Root to Rise: sabrinagebhardt.com/mastermind-waitlistConnect with Sabrina:Website: sabrinagebhardt.comInstagram: instagram.com/xo.sabrinagebhardtTikTok: tiktok.com/@xo.sabrinagebhardt

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