Business-First Creatives

How to Automate Client Communication Without Losing a High-Touch Photography Experience with Ina Jalil

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if automation didn’t make your client experience feel colder, but actually made it feel more personal? In this episode, I’m sitting down with...

The “Oops, This Is Episode 300” Update

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hey y’all… so apparently this is episode 300 😅This episode snuck up on me so fast I didn't have a chance to plan a milestone moment. My 4th Po...

Done-for-You vs. Done-with-You: Which Model Fits Your Business? with Brittany Herzberg

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when the thing you’ve always sold so well no longer fits the life or business you want to build? In this episode, I’m sitting down wi...

The Rebooking Strategy You’re Probably Not Using (But Should Be)

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever wrapped up a project, delivered the final files, and then… just waited to see if your client comes back—you’re not alone.But he...

3 Ways Your Systems Can Generate More Revenue in Your Business

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In the last episode, I sat down with money coach Emilie Nutley to talk about understanding your numbers, paying yourself, and planning your finances l...

The Best Financial Strategy for a Sustainable Business is Overflow with Emilie Nutley

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve been avoiding your numbers this year—this is your sign to review them. I invited financial expert Emilie Nutley to join me for a powerfu...

Before the Inquiries Roll In: 3 Systems to Fix Now

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Busy season might not feel close yet—but if you rely on fall bookings, the inquiries that fill your calendar are coming sooner than you think.Instea...

Before the Inquiries Roll In: 3 Systems to Fix Now

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Busy season might not feel close yet—but if you rely on fall bookings, the inquiries that fill your calendar are coming sooner than you think.Instea...

Going From Side Hustle to Structured Business Starts With Better Emails with Christi Dorsey

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if your side hustle wasn't just extra income, but the most creatively fulfilling part of your life? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Chri...

Why We Design First (and How to Decide Between ELYMI and SIS)

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re trying to decide between Email Like You Mean It and Systems in Session, this episode will help you make that decision.I get asked all the ...

What Happened When I Turned Email Like You Mean It Into a Live Sprint

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

I turned Email Like You Mean It into a 5-day done-with-you live sprint… and then immediately invited some of my Systems in Session clients to test i...

Why Every Creative Entrepreneur Needs Systems to Thrive with Megan Smith

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the only thing standing between you and sustainable growth in your business is your system? In today’s episode, we're diving into a Systems ...

Everything You’re Overthinking About Systems in Session

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Planning this episode felt like getting a dose of my own medicine.When I help clients build their five-minute booking process, I always tell them: you...

Is Systems in Session just for Photographers?

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Niching down your messaging can feel like a catch-22. I talk to photographers a lot—which means non-photographers sometimes wonder if Systems in Ses...

Your Offer Isn’t Too Custom for Systems

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

“I can’t automate that — my clients are all different.”If you’ve ever said that (or thought it), this episode is for you.Today kicks off a 3...

Am I Loving Notion? (Or Do I Miss Airtable?)

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder what actually happens after someone makes a big backend decision?In this episode, I’m giving you a real update on two announcements I ma...

Why Your Client Experience Is Costing You Money with Emily Mathis

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If your clients are quietly disappearing, not giving testimonials, or not buying again, there is a deeply rooted problem we need to address. In this e...

Build It Yourself and Own It Forever: Confidence in Your CRM with David Enloe

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When you're empowered to build your own process and be part of it, everything in your systems can change. While there is always the option to outsourc...

Why Done-With-You Systems are a Game-Changer with Emily Sterne

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When I sent out a “why didn’t you buy?” survey after a slow launch, I didn’t expect one of those responses to turn into one of my favorite tra...

Why Pretty Proposals Close Sales Faster (But Your's Aren't Working)

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever thought, “If my proposal just looked better, this would be easier,” you’re not wrong — but that’s only part of the story.In...

3 Things Making Your Dream Clients Ghost You

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ever had a dream client inquire, seem excited… and then disappear?No reply.No booking.Just silence.In this episode, I’m breaking down why ghosting...

Business Bestie Chat Q1 – 2026 with Sabrina Gebhardt

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This quarter’s business bestie chat is juicier than ever. We’re tackling real business wins, real pivots, and real lessons. Listen in as Sabrina a...

Stop Overthinking Your Follow-Up Emails

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You already know you’re allowed to email your clients. But what happens after you send the proposal… and hear nothing?In this episode, Colie break...

Microsystems for ADHD Business Owners with Angela Tan

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the secret to managing ADHD wasn’t massive systems or productivity hacks, but tiny, repeatable actions? In this episode, I’m joined by sys...

Stop Being Afraid to Email Your Own Clients

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Worried about annoying your clients if you follow up?This episode is your permission slip.In this pep talk + rant, I’m breaking down why emailing yo...

How Human Design Is Influencing the Way We Do Business with Sabrina Gebhardt

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the key to breaking through in your business isn’t another tactic, but understanding how you’re wired to show up?In this episode, I sit do...

You’re Losing Clients Without a Clear Brand Personality: Here’s How to Fix It with Alethea Tyler

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the reason your marketing doesn’t feel "on" isn’t that you need more strategy, but that your brand personality hasn’t been uncovered or ...

Why Staying Small Can Be the Smartest Business Decision You Make with Maggie Patterson

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if success in business didn’t look like 6 figures, a big team, or endless growth? In this episode, I sit down with Maggie Patterson to explore ...

Why You Should Plan Your Customer Journey Like You Plan a Day at Disneyland

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

I just booked my first Disneyland trip of the year, and the second I hit confirm, my brain went straight into planning mode — not because I love spr...

The Only Way to Work with Me in 2026, and Why It Feels So Damn Good to Simplify

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to another year of the Business-First Creatives podcast.If you listened to last week’s episode with Kylie Kelly, we talked a lot about ...

You Can Build Authority & Visibility Without Shaking It on Social Media with Kylie Kelly

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Does growing your business without showing up on Instagram sound like a dream? In today’s episode, visibility strategist Kylie Kelly joins us to exp...

How I Spent Money Inside My Business in 2025

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this end-of-year episode, I’m breaking down how I spent money inside my business in 2025 — and more importantly, how I made those decisions.Thi...

Why Clear Client Communication Is Non-Negotiable for a High-Touch Experience

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is a replay from a conversation that originally aired on the Capture the Chaos podcast with Brittnie Renee—and it perfectly captur...

Stop Fixing Your Client Communication Last

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In 2026, I want you to stop fixing your emails last—because it’s costing you money.The last two case study episodes of this podcast prove it.In th...

Personalizing the Client Communication Experience with Geneviève Masioni [Email Like You Mean It Case Study]

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wouldn't it be nice to automate 80% of your client communication, while still sending personalized emails and booking high-ticket clients? That’s ex...

The CRM Emails That Turn New Leads into Booked Clients Faster (Without the Sales Call) with Kara Duncan

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you still think that a system for booking and onboarding new clients has to be complicated, this is the episode for you. What if you could take a p...

Stop Chasing Vanity Metrics: The 4 Habits That Actually Grow Your Business with Zoë Dew

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you think the key to business growth is chasing website stats, are you considering the fact that those numbers may not tell the full story? In this...

Creating Natural Urgency without Discounts and Timers with Samantha Hoillett

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you dread the word launch, because you think that "doors open/doors close” structure feels icky? We're flipping the script in today's episode wit...

How to Build a Content Ecosystem that Sells for You with Latesha Lynch

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if you could create just one piece of content and let it do the work of fifty? That’s exactly what we’re unpacking in today’s episode. Late...

Your Workflow Isn’t the Exception: Why the CRM Blueprint Works for Every Photographer

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

So many photographers swear their workflow is “the exception” — too many what-ifs, too many touchpoints, too many edge cases to fit inside any k...

What's the Best Way To Set Up Your CRM? CRM Blueprint vs. Systems in Session with Megan Norman

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you been wondering what's the best way to set up your CRM? Today’s session is going to be a mix of a case study and answers to some specific qu...

Dubsado 3.0 First Impressions: The Good, the Bad, and the Missing

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dubsado 3.0 is officially here… and y’all, the internet is having feelings.In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s new, what’s missing, an...

Workflow Overwhelm? Create These 3 Microsystems First

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You’re never going to find time to fix your workflows — you have to make the time. And today, I’m giving you the exact place to start.In this ep...

Stop Babysitting Your CRM: Let's Build Workflows You Can Actually Trust Inside CRM Blueprint

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If your workflows act like needy toddlers—constantly breaking, needing approvals, or demanding supervision—you’re not alone. Over the last few w...

Shifting Your Systems as You Pivot in Your Business with Erin Vestal

16 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

She was homeschooling her kids, charging less than $300 a session, and running her photography business on pure hustle—until she realized that passi...

How You Can Maximize Your Email List for Black Friday ft. Flodesk with Dawn Richardson

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready to seriously level up your email marketing this Black Friday season? I sat down with Dawn Richardson from Flodesk, where we unpack e...

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

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 rol...

Why I’m Focusing on Dubsado for Photographers (and How It’s Simplifying My Business)

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever found yourself juggling too many offers, too many audiences, or just feeling like your message got a little… fuzzy — this one’s...

Using Human Design to Transform Your Business Strategy with Breanna Owen

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

Systems in Session: How We Built a Luxury Client Experience Inside HoneyBook with Kelly Bullock

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kelly Bullock was the very first Systems in Session client — before the offer even had a name. In this episode, we dive into how she turned her high...

Should You Ditch Your CRM?

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Thinking about ditching your CRM after the latest price increase? Before you rage-cancel Dubsado, HoneyBook, or whatever tool’s testing your patienc...

Business Bestie Chat Q4 - 2025 with Sabrina Gebhardt

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Before You Automate, Communicate - Challenge Recap

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most system struggles aren’t tech problems — they’re communication gaps. In this episode, I’m unpacking what I learned from hosting the Client...

The Confidence Shift: When your systems feel like you

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I’m wrapping up week one of my Sales Parade, and Systems in Session 2025 is officially sold out! 🎉But here’s what I’ve noticed after working ...

Pick a Path - Where to Start When DIY-ing Your Systems

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Not sure where to start with your systems? In this episode, I’m breaking down three smart places to begin if you’re DIY-ing your setup—your prop...

Breaking the Avoidance Cycle in Your Business Systems

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Avoidance can make simple tasks feel impossible. In this episode, I’m sharing why systems are the #1 thing entrepreneurs put off, the anxiety that c...

Why I’m Talking About My Offers 50+ Times in the Next 14 Days

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Parade is back, y’all—and I’m jumping in for another 14-day sprint of talking about my offers. In this episode, I’m sharing why the Parade...

How to Make Clients Repeat Buyers

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you don’t know when your clients should come back, neither will they. Most creatives deliver the final product and send one last email — and th...

Scaling with Less Overwhelm and More Value (Systems in Session Case Study) with Roxanne Engstrom

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're someone who thinks systems just aren't for me—creative chaos is a part of my identity, this episode might change your mind. Roxanne Engstr...

How to Break the Vicious Visibility Cycle in Your Creative Business with Maddie Peschong

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time to break the vicious visibility cycle. You know the one, where you disappear for weeks, then expect everything to fall back into place on ...

Why Raising Your Prices Starts with Your Client Experience

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if raising your prices didn’t mean adding more stress to your plate? In this replay from Maddie Peschong’s Take It Personally podcast, I’m ...

Systems in Session: Mastering Your Client Journey ft. Erin Belles

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when a creative business owner finally finds the systems support she didn’t know she needed? Absolute magic.In this episode, I’m join...

Shaping a Business That Grows and Evolves With You with Meg Mosher

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today I’m sitting down with one of my long-term clients and friends, Meg Mosher, a lifestyle family photographer out of New York who has been in bus...

Do You Really Need Big Systems to Make Six Figures? (The Bare Bones Version)

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You don’t actually need big, complicated systems to make money in your business — and yes, I’m the Systems Professor saying that out loud. Hitti...

Your Hottest Leads Aren’t on Instagram

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Think your most engaged followers are the ones double-tapping your latest Reel? Think again. 👀In this episode, I’m breaking down why your actual ...

Improve Client Trust & Increase Conversions through Asynchronous Video with Carolyn Leasure

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve been shouting from the rooftops about using video in your client experience—and today, I’ve got backup. In this episode, I’m joined by Ca...

The Taylor & Travis Engagement Test for Your Client Experience

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, the internet went wild. But instead of just scrolling through memes, I started thinking...

Creating Accountability in Airtable with Melissa Arlena

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re not tracking it, you’re winging it. That's why it's important to have a system in place to help keep you accountable. In this episode, M...

Growing Your Email List at In-Person Events with Tiffany Crenshaw

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if your next five clients aren’t on Instagram, but actually sitting across from you at an in-person event? Tiffany Crenshaw is a former teacher...

Back to School, Back to Boundaries: Protecting Your Time This Season

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The first day of school hits different when your kid starts high school — and when you realize you don’t have to pack a lunch, drive carpool, or e...

Energetics in Business with Sabrina Gebhardt

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I almost made a catastrophic business move by shutting everything down. Thankfully, a conversation with my business bestie Sabrina helped me take a st...

The Month I Turned 46 and Showed TF Up in My Business

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let me just say it—July was fucking awesome. After a season of mostly behind-the-scenes content creation (and zero solo podcast episodes for all of ...

Beyond DIY ChatGPT: The Human-First AI Blogging Tool for Intentional Creatives

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever opened ChatGPT, typed “write my blog post,” and cringed at the results—you’re not alone. This episode dives into what it real...

How I’m Building My Offer Ecosystem Around the 3 Levers That Drive Client Experience

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You don’t need to fix everything at once — but you do need to fix the thing that’s slowing you down.In this episode, I’m walking you through t...

I'm celebrating TWO milestones today

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I am popping in with a short solo today.If you have a moment, and want to give me a birthday present, leave a review for this podcast on Spotify or Ap...

Accessibility Awareness with Erin Perkins

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Accessibility isn't sexy—but it's essential. Erin Perkins of Mabely Q joins us to talk about something most business owners haven't truly considered...

Ping Pong Offers... I swear I have an actual plan for my business

20 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I thought I’d nailed my warm-up offer.Sales page created in less than 3 hours.Sold a few during my Sales Parade.Two weeks later? I pulled it.In this...

How to Start Running Meta Ads for Just $1 a Day (and Actually Get Results) with Jana Bishop

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ready to finally hit publish on that Facebook ad you've been scared to run? Facebook Ad strategist Jana Bishop joins us to make paid ads feel accessib...

The 3 Red Flags Hiding in Your Inquiry Response Email

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are your inquiry emails turning off your best leads? 😬 In this episode of Business-First Creatives, I’m breaking down the three email red flags I...

How the Enneagram Can Supercharge Your Self-Awareness with Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever wondered why you do what you do, the Enneagram might just hold the answers. In this episode, Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober of Enneagram Ashton ...

3 Bottlenecks That Burn Photographers Out Every Fall (and How to Fix them)

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fall family photography season is almost here, and if you're already bracing for the wave of inquiries, back-to-back sessions, and late-night editing ...

Embracing Creativity as a Neurodivergent Business Owner with Molly McCauley

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if your brain’s unique wiring isn’t a flaw… but your secret advantage? That’s exactly what we explore in my conversation with Molly McCau...

Behind the Scenes: My Mid-Year Offer Reset

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s my birthday month, and I’m celebrating by simplifying my backend and shifting how I sell. In this solo episode, I’m walking you through why...

Ditching the Algorithm: Shifting the Priority from Social Media to Email Marketing with Andréa Jones

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you find yourself dreading content creation and waiting for the algorithm to feature your posts? In this episode, I sat down with Andréa Jones, mi...

Client Experience Essentials: The 5 Layers You Actually Need

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your client experience doesn’t start with a workflow or a fancy journey map. It starts with the words you choose and the tone you set.In this solo e...

Creating AI Content that Sounds Like You with Kinsey  Soderberg

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if I introduced you to the person who completely changed how I use AI in my business? I want you to meet Kenzie  Soderberg, the AI strategist b...

The Secret to More Connection? Strategic Client Videos [2025 Replay]

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I’m bringing back one of the most practical episodes from the Business-First Creatives archive—Episode 123 from my original Video Visibilit...

Energetic Email Strategy for Connection & Conversion with Breanna Owen

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever felt like your emails just aren’t landing? This episode is your permission slip to stop overthinking and start aligning. I sat down with email ...

The Confidence Loop: The Secret Behind Every Workflow That Converts

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part two of Emails Behind the Experience, I’m sharing a lesson straight from inside my course, Email Like You Mean It. It’s called The Confiden...

The 5 Workflows Every Creative Needs in Their CRM (2025 Update)

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode, I’m giving a glow-up to my most downloaded and shared episode from this podcast: the workflows every creative business needs.I...

The 4 Buyer Types and How to Sell to Each One with Courtney Fanning

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if I told you that your sales page might be turning buyers away before they even click? Courtney Fanning joins us to dig into why people buy (or ...

The Truth? I Never Really Niched Down — Until Now [2025 Replay]

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for a replay—but not just any replay. This solo episode from 2023 dives into one of the most persistent questions in creative business: ...

How I Turned My Podcast into a Revenue Generator: Celebrating 3 Years of Business-First Creatives ft. Haylee Gaffin

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered what three years of podcasting can really do for your business? In this special episode, I switch seats with my producer, Haylee Gaffin,...

The Follow-Up Framework That Still Closes Clients [2025 Replay]

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever sent a proposal and heard crickets? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not doomed. In this replay of one of my most downloaded episodes...

Marketing Mondays Will Transform Your Business Strategy with Melissa Arlena and Alison Bell

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you managing your marketing tasks efficiently in your business? In this episode, I sat down with Melissa Arlena and Allison Bell, co-hosts of the ...

Getting Paid for Travel Photography Sessions with Kellie Llewellyn

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to get paid to travel to your sessions, there are so many logistics to consider. While Kellie Llewellyn was coordinating her sessions to f...

Before You Buy Anything… Here’s How to Know Which Offer Is Really Right for You [2025 Replay]

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Okay, y’all—this one’s a little different. I’m resharing a solo episode from May 2023 because it’s just that relevant right now. Whether you...

How to Use AI in Your Business and Create Tools for Your Offers

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if you could create custom AI tools that save you hours, elevate your client experience, and make your business run smoother? (Spoiler: you can.)...

Why ChatGPT Is My New Favorite Team Member (Sorry, Airtable)

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

ChatGPT just beat out Airtable as my most-used tool—and y’all know that’s saying a lot. In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on ...

How to Nail Your Offer Introduction

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You've got the skills. You've got the offer. But if your leads are ghosting after you introduce it—we have a problem. In today’s episode, we're di...