Welcome to the Blog

Lessons in systems and business strategy for creative entrepreneurs

Podcast

What happens when you’re no longer struggling to get clients, but you still feel like your business has hit a ceiling? If you’ve got inquiries rolling in, your conversion rate is solid, yet you’re still not satisfied, this episode is for you. Emylee Williams of Sold Out Services and I unpack the business moment when […]

How Booked-Out Service Providers Scale with Productization with Emylee Williams

Podcast

If you’ve ever felt like traditional business advice just doesn’t fit you, this episode is your permission slip to stop trying to follow someone else’s blueprint and explore one that works for you. In this episode, Breanna Owen joins me to unpack what it actually means to run your business in alignment with your human […]

Using Human Design to Transform Your Business Strategy with Breanna Owen

Case Study

I can’t wait to talk to you about the luxury photography client systems for Kelly today. It’s hard to believe it’s almost been a year since I recorded a Business Bestie Chat with Sabrina Gebhardt on the Shoot It Straight podcast — the very conversation where the idea for Systems in Session was born. Now, […]

Building Luxury Photography Client Systems (So You Can Spend More Time With Your Kids!) with Kelly Bullock

Podcast

Every time a CRM announces a price increase, the online business world collectively panics. My Threads feed has been full of people asking if they should switch to a different platform—or ditch their CRM altogether. And honestly? I get it. When HoneyBook raised its prices last year, everyone’s question was “should I switch from Honeybook […]

Should You Ditch Your CRM? (Spoiler: Probably Not.)

Podcast

I have a special surprise for you in this week’s episode! Over on the Shoot It Straight podcast, I join my dear friend, Sabrina Gebhardt every quarter to debrief our businesses with a business best chat. I decided that it’s time to bring that conversation to Business-First Creatives too! I’m giving you full access to […]

Business Bestie Chat Q4 – 2025 with Sabrina Gebhardt

Dubsado templates for photographers
Dubsado

You set up a shiny new workflow in Dubsado. You hit “Activate.” You’re ready to sit back and let the automation magic happen. And then… nothing or worse, Dusbado Workflow Errors. Your workflow pauses. A random error message pops up. Your client gets half the emails they were supposed to. If that sounds familiar, you’re […]

Dubsado Workflow Errors: 3 Common Mistakes Breaking Your Automations

client emails
Communication

Client emails can change everything in your business. The right message can move a lead from “I don’t have time” to “Where do I sign?” The wrong one can leave them cold, confused, or gone for good. That’s why I want to tell you about Geneviève. She joined my “Email Like You Mean It” course […]

Can Writing Better Client Emails Make You $15K?

photographer gallery delivery
Client Experience

Photographer gallery delivery is one of the most overlooked parts of the client journey. So many photographers pour their energy into the inquiry, booking, and onboarding phases—but once the event is over, communication tends to fall off. And yet, this final phase is one of the most important touchpoints for delivering a truly elevated client […]

How to Nail Your Photographer Gallery Delivery (and Streamline Your Offboarding Workflow)

client emails vs email marketing
Client Experience

When it comes to running a service-based business, it’s important to understand the difference between client emails vs. email marketing. Email marketing courses often focus on building lists and selling to a broad audience, but client emails are about 1:1 communication that shapes your client experience. In this post, we’ll break down how the two […]

Client Emails vs. Email Marketing: What’s the Difference (and Why It Matters)?

I'm 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!

With 10+ years in the creative space, Colie believes every creative deserves to build a business that is sustainable and profitable, and no one should quit their 9 to 5 only to work 24/7 [in their business].

The truth—automated systems can save us all from being overworked and overwhelmed.

I believe every creative deserves to turn their craft into a business that brings them joy and profit.

Hi, I'm Colie. 

A simple system for writing clear, consistent, trust-building emails.
This free guide shows you how to communicate with confidence, streamline your process, and finally send emails that sound like you — not a template.

Grab Emails that Convert Guide

STOP SECOND-GUESSING YOUR CLIENT EMAILS.

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© 2022 Colie James