Episode 271

full
Published on:

30th Dec 2025

How I Spent Money Inside My Business in 2025

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.

This isn’t a profit report or an expense spreadsheet walkthrough. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at what I chose to invest in, what I outsourced, why the podcast is my biggest marketing expense, and how warm-up offers completely changed the way I decide who to work with and where to put my money.

I’m also sharing how this buying behavior pushed me to rethink my own warm-up offers, what I’m carrying into 2026, and why my word for the year is simplify.

If you’re thinking more intentionally about your spending, your offers, or how you want to work next year — this one’s for you.

In this episode, we cover:

  1. How I evaluate purchases and investments in my business
  2. What I outsource and why retainers matter to me
  3. Why the podcast is my biggest and best marketing investment
  4. How I use warm-up offers to test fit before committing long-term
  5. Why “no” can still be a powerful return on investment
  6. What’s changing (and staying) in 2026

Links Mentioned

Systems in Session

Email Like You Mean It

Client Experience Audit

1:1 60-Min Strategy & Implementation Calls

Ping Pong Offers Episode on Business-First Creatives

My Tech Stack

My Resources


Offers I Invested In (aff links)

Sold Out Services with Emylee Williams

Dama on Demand with Dama Jue

Missed the Memo with Hollie of Latitude Lane

Sales Parade with Ceels Lockley

Cashflow Confident (now Six Figure Safety) with Emilie Nutley

Launch Your Own Way with Kelsey McCormick of Coming Up Roses

Say Less Sales Messaging Sprint with Chelsea Quint

Email Growth Club with Kylie Kelly

Show artwork for Business-First Creatives

About the Podcast

Business-First Creatives

Every creative deserves to turn their craft into a business that brings them joy and profit. Here you'll find a no-BS approach to what it takes to put the business first, prioritizing the systems and strategies that will actually move the needle and ensure your creative business is profitable rather than an expensive side-hustle. Your host is Colie James, 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!