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Episode 253

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Published on:

27th Oct 2025

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

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-touch, luxury photography experience into an organized HoneyBook system that doesn't feel impersonal.

As a full-time CRNA, mom of three, and family photographer, Kelly shares how systems helped her balance it all, delegate confidently, and reclaim time for both her clients and her life. We also talk about what luxury really means—and why it’s more about care and consistency than cost or extras.

If you’ve ever wondered how to automate without losing the personal touch, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Hear:

00:00 How Systems in Session started with a podcast idea

03:10 How Kelly was using Honeybook before CRM Blueprint and Systems in Session

06:30 Balancing two careers and a high-touch experience

10:13 How we built automations that still feel human

17:00 Why we redid her automations right after building them

20:30 Should you hire before or after you build your systems?

24:00 Redefining what “luxury” really means

28:20 How systems gave her time back for life and family

Mentioned in This Episode:

→ Systems in Session — 2 spots left to lock in 2025 rates

→ Connect with Kelly - kellybullockphotography.com/mentoring

→ Root to Rise Mastermind with Sabrina Gebhardt

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Show artwork for Business-First Creatives

About the Podcast

Business-First Creatives
A podcast about systems, workflows, and business advice for creative service providers.
Business-First Creatives is a podcast for photographers and creative service providers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business without drowning in admin work, client experience chaos, or systems that let you down.

This show delivers clear, actionable conversations around marketing, CRM workflows, client communication, Dubsado and Honeybook automation, Airtable systems, and workflow strategies, giving photographers and creative entrepreneurs the systems that scale, operational clarity, and strategic, human-first client experiences they need to build streamlined, referral-worthy business operations that don't require working 24/7.
If you're tired of babysitting your inbox, chasing down contracts, or watching your workflows break the moment you look away, this show will help you move beyond "figuring it out as you go" and toward a creative business that brings you joy and a paycheck.

This podcast provides answers to questions like:
How do I automate my client journey without losing the personal touch?
What CRM workflows do photographers and creative businesses need?
How can I use Dubsado or Honeybook to streamline my client experience?
What systems do photographers need to save time and deliver exceptional client experiences?
How do I reduce admin time in my creative service business?
Why do my workflows keep letting me down (and how do I fix them)?
How can I build a profitable creative business that brings me joy and a paycheck?
What's the best way to communicate with clients throughout their journey?
How do I create systems that work even when I'm not babysitting them?
How can I map my client journey to convert more inquiries into bookings?

Hosted by Colie James, a Dubsado Certified Specialist, Honeybook Educator, and Workflow and Automations Guru with 10+ years helping creatives systemize their businesses—this show delivers practical, no-BS guidance for photographers and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to streamline their client journey, automate their operations, and make money from their craft.

If you're done dropping balls and ready to build a business-first creative operation with systems that scale, you're in the right place.

Find out more about Systems in Session ➡️ https://coliejames.com/systems-in-session