Are you ready to leave the 9-5 grind and achieve success on your own terms? I’m so excited because today I’m chatting with Dustin Mushinski, a business and mindset coach who transitioned from having a successful corporate career in tech sales to a seven-figure entrepreneur. During our conversation, Dustin shares the moment she realized just how powerful mindset is and the fact that you can consciously choose your thoughts, whether they are positive or negative.   We also go into the topic of limiting beliefs and the things that hold people back from pursuing their dreams and the importance of taking action, even if you don’t have a plan just yet. Additionally, we talk about failure, and how you can shift from seeing them as bad and look to them as valuable lessons.   In this episode, we chat about: How Dustin left corporate and became a multi-passionate entrepreneur The transition from tech sales to mindset coach Taking a step, even if you don’t have a plan What holds people back from pursuing bigger and better things The struggle with seeing the value of charging your worth Embracing failures and seeing them as lessons ‌ Connect with Dustin: Instagram: @‌dustinmushinski Website: dustinmcoaching.com ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

You know what’s really been bugging me lately? This unwarranted negativity and judgmental attitude towards educators. I’ve personally had negative comments on my ads of people saying things like, “There’s already too many educators,” “Everyone thinks they can be educators” and even, “People who can’t make it as photographers will educate” and none of that is true. ‌ People seem to think that in order to be a good educator, you have to have a ton of followers and be Insta-famous, but that’s not what makes a good educator. What makes a good educator is someone who loves teaching and is passionate about helping others succeed. ‌ Because of the judgment and negativity around this, people are scared to become coaches, and it shouldn’t be that way. I want to share the things that I truly believe make a good educator, the struggles many of us face with imposter syndrome, and why the low-volume coaching programs you create will have so much more impact than high-volume courses. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: The negativity and judgment I have experienced as an educator The value of learning from those who are just one step ahead Imposter syndrome and overcoming the negativity Having a variety of teaching styles in education Low-volume coaching vs. high-volume coaching ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Are you finding yourself struggling with the pressure of timelines in entrepreneurship? It’s common for people to get upset if something doesn’t happen in the time they want it to, whether it’s getting bookings, reaching their financial goals, or launching a program. One thing we have to keep in mind is that not everything happens in the time we want it. We need to embrace the journey of building a business with patience and resilience. ‌ While timelines can be good to have, if we focus too much on them, they can impede our progress and quite honestly, can make building our businesses not as fun. ‌ There are things we can do in order to help us not stress so much about timelines. By removing the pressure of the timelines, asking for help when needed, and continuing to self-reflect, we will be able to have a healthier relationship with our timelines, and ultimately thrive. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: The misconception of overnight success in entrepreneurship Removing the pressure we put on ourselves Embracing the journey - Set realistic expectations and celebrate the small wins Asking for help when going through challenges Taking time to self-reflect Strategies for managing expectations - Setting SMART goals and adopting a growth mindset ‌ ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

No matter what kind of business you own, establishing boundaries and achieving the work/life balance you’ve always desired can be a struggle. While there are seasons in business for hustling, many of us don’t know how to relax, but my guest today has been able to nail that down. ‌ Nina Larsen Reed is a Colorado elopement photographer, who moved from Norway in 2010, and soon-to-be SEO coach. She started her photography business in 2013 as a portrait photographer and eventually pivoted into elopements which gave her more flexibility and better balance. ‌ During our conversation, Nina shares the concept of work/life balance and setting boundaries in business. We chat about the initial hustle that many of us need to do to establish our businesses, as well as the importance of setting boundaries so that we can enjoy our personal lives. ‌ We also dive into Nina’s approach to marketing, highlighting the impact effective SEO can make, along with the importance of creating quality content for long-term business success. ‌ ‌ In this episode, we chat about: Nina’s photography journey - not wanting to be a traveling photographer The power of SEO and quality content The boundaries that Nina has set for herself in her business Stepping into SEO coaching ‌ Connect with Nina: ‌ Website: www.larsenphoto.co Instagram: @‌larsenphotoco ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Get ready for a twist in today’s episode because Todd is going to be interviewing me. We’re diving deep into both serious stuff and the fun side of things. From what I’m most proud of to my dream podcast guests, we are covering all the bases.   Along with that, we’re adding in some fun rapid-fire questions so you can get to know me better on a personal level. You will hear about some of my guilty pleasures, favorite comfort foods, and even a few things I can live without. ‌ Tune in for a refreshing and unfiltered episode as you get a blend of personal reflections, business insights, and light-hearted moments. ‌ Check out the book You Are a Badass at Making Money ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

If you wanted to pursue something, and you found out it was a crowded market, would you continue to pursue it, or would it prevent you from starting? A lot of people I talk to don’t make the jump because they think a crowded market is a bad thing, but that’s just not true.   ‌There are many reasons why joining a crowded market can be good! For one, it means there’s a demand for that service, whether it’s photography, art, coaching, or any other industry. You won’t need to educate your audience on it because they already know it’s there. Additionally, joining an established market means you have the potential to grow faster compared to starting a market from scratch. Also, the presence of competitors in an existing market can validate the viability of your business. ‌ The key to standing out in a crowded market is crafting your unique value proposition or UVP. It’s all about leaning into your personality, background, and skill sets, and sharing your values, beliefs, and experiences with your followers. When you can connect with others on a personal level, that’s what’s going to attract the right clients for you. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: The benefits when you enter a crowded market The importance of understanding your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) Identifying your zone of genius Connecting through personal stories to attract the right clients ‌ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Check out the book, The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Whether you’re a photographer or not, pricing is a struggle that many entrepreneurs face. It’s commonly believed that in order to attract clients, you need to charge lower rates, but that’s far from true. Raising your prices and charging your worth can actually not only help you make more money, but it will also attract those clients who you align with and give you a better work/life balance. ‌ Today, Sydney McRae, a Colorado-based elopement photographer and business coach, shares her mindset journey of justifying her higher prices. She pivoted from big weddings into elopements and hit 6 figures in her first year as an elopement photographer. ‌ During our conversation, Sydney discusses some of the challenges photographers face when setting their prices, as well as strategies to effectively communicate your value to attract the right clients. ‌ ‌ In this episode, we chat about: Why people struggle with raising their prices and charging appropriately The mindset shifts Sydney went through when she decided to charge her worth Competing on prices in the elopement photography industry How to attract the right clients Being able to serve your couples even better when you charge more The myth that you need to overbook yourself Sydney’s advice on how to communicate your value ‌ Connect with Sydney: Business Coaching Instagram: @‌sydney_mcraee Business Coaching Website: The Elopement Photographer Blueprint Photography Instagram: @‌sydneymcraephoto Photography Website: www.sydneymcraephoto.com ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

Failure is a word that holds a lot of weight and tends to be seen as something negative. We create these expectations for ourselves, and if we don’t reach them, we say that we failed. But what if I told you that “failure” is a huge part of success and it’s actually important feedback for you in your business journey?   During our conversation, we talk about the trap of being too optimistic, blinding us from the potential pitfalls we experience, how we can learn from our setbacks, and the importance of setting realistic expectations. ‌ Success isn’t defined by not failing. It’s defined by our ability to learn from our setbacks, adapt, and then keep going. ‌ In this episode, we chat about: Societal expectations and how they can cause a fear of failure Optimism and setting realistic expectations The importance of learning from our setbacks Reframing failure as feedback ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

While the topic of money management is never sexy to talk about, and quite honestly one that many creative entrepreneurs like to avoid, it’s important to discuss because it can make or break your business. Luckily for us, my guest today, Melanie Sidlow, loves talking about this kind of stuff. Melanie is a Southern California elopement photographer, mentor, and she routinely travels to Hawaii and Montana for work. ‌ During our conversation, Melanie shares her transition from wedding to elopement photography and the struggles she faced when trying to make a profit. She explains how she was able to not only recognize those issues with her finances but also how she was able to fix them. ‌ She talks about the importance of separating your personal and business finances so you can really understand your income and expenses, as well as charging what you’re worth so you can take control of your work/life balance. We even dive into her morning routine and how that contributes to her overall success. ‌ Recognizing financial struggles The importance of separating personal and business finances Charging your worth and how that correlates to work/life balance Creating a solid morning routine that sets you up for success ‌ ‌ Connect with Melanie: Website: Melanie Sidlow Photography Instagram: @‌melaniesidlowphotography ‌ ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com

When you think of being on “the right track” in the eyes of society, what does that mean? Does it mean going to college? Getting a good job? Getting married and raising a family? That may work for some people, but it doesn’t align with everyone. ‌ If you want to do life on your own terms and build a business and life that supports you, then it’s time to check in with yourself and see if you’re on the right track toward accomplishing your goals. ‌ If you’re wondering how to decide if you’re on the right track, Todd and I have some ideas that can help you. We each compiled our own lists of indicators that suggest if you’re on the right track. ‌ My list includes: aligning with your values and purpose, progressing toward your goals, making a positive impact and receiving positive feedback, continued learning, and maintaining a sense of well-being and balance. ‌ Todd’s list of being on the right track includes: being financially literate, having a vision on where your life is heading, experiencing a level of discomfort, putting forth effort to better yourself, finding fulfillment from something in your life, and having a community that supports you. ‌ And while we are on the topic of community, we are excited to share that we are hosting our first ever ElopementCon May 14-16, 2024! This is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. 30 speakers will be there to present on a wide range of topics, including SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! ‌ Right now, we have early bird tickets at just $7 and that discount will be available until March 28th. I’m so excited for this event and so proud we were able to put it together, and we hope to see you there! ‌ In this episode, we chat about: The expectations that society has when it comes to being on the right track Megan’s list of things that you’re on the right track Todd’s list of things that you’re on the right track Info on ElopementCon ‌ Come join us at ElopementCon from May 14-16, 2024! ElopementCon is a virtual conference designed exclusively for elopement photographers and filmmakers. Scheduled for May 14-16, 2024, it's a platform where industry professionals gather to share insights, strategies, and stories about capturing intimate and adventurous elopements. Thirty speakers will present on a wide range of topics including: SEO, storytelling, client experience, business practices, social media, ads, AI, inclusivity, and more! Our goal is to empower, educate, connect and inspire our community in the first and only elopement photography and filmmaking conference. ‌ If this episode made you feel stoked, be sure to share it with a friend, leave a review, or DM me on Instagram at @‌stokedwithmeganmacphail and let me know your thoughts. You can also connect with me on my website: www.meganmacphail.com