Running a business (or two businesses) is tough– and this is especially true in 2021. Not only are we dealing with all of the normal tasks and responsibilities, when you throw in restriction obstacles and uncertainty– it only makes the process even harder. In times like these, finding inspiration is vital. Inspiration can come in so many different ways– and what can trigger it will be unique to you. Whether that's stepping away and taking a break, purchasing new gear, traveling to new places, investing in education or simply picking up your camera and getting out there to shoot for yourself. Whatever fuels your soul, embrace that and nourish it to your heart's content.  Another topic we cover in this episode are the growing pains we all face throughout the course of running a business. Of course, growth is always amazing– but it doesn't come without it's challenges. When you're dealing with it, it really sucks and it can be so stressfully draining. But, in the end, it's worth the pain you endure because it ultimately means that great things are happening. We've been there and we've survived– you will, too!

Certified Madness Podcast

062: Finding Inspiration & Growing Pains – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

Now that Spring is here (finally... again?), we're really feeling it in our mind, body and soul! The need to get out of our houses to simply be outside– or finally travel– is palpable. The past twelve months have been the craziest days of our lives and surviving quarantine feels like a major feat. Things are starting to feel a little more normal, activities and sports are finally picking back up (for most of us, anyway) and the light at the end of the tunnel is officially in sight. We couldn't be more excited or eager for the coming weeks. Fingers crossed that we can all put quarantine behind us for good! In this episode, we also chat about Spring Cleaning– remodeling and making things fresh and new– which also took us down the rabbit hole of having selective ADD with a side of sentimental hoarding. You know us, we love our little tangents!

061: Spring Vacations, Cleaning & Letting Go – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

Specializing your photography business doesn’t always mean choosing a single demographic to focus on. You can narrow your focus to specific demographics and still consider yourself a specialist. The key is to identify WHO you’re targeting your business to and cater your offerings to them. For Stephanie, she has built a thriving company by doing exactly that. She isn’t saying yes to every genre of photography, she has niched her business down to very targeted demographics that speak to her brand, style and passion. In addition, we also tackle the topic of burnout. It’s a real thing and it sucks. As a business owner, have you ever felt so submerged in your business that you’ve become lost in it? If you’ve ever felt the weight of endless tasks and can’t seem to meet all of the demands of your business– you’re not alone. We’ve been there. We’re chatting all about it– and our hope is that we can help YOU get through the process, too.

060: Specializing & Burnout with Stephanie Fletcher – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

We all have a different approach to creative shoots– and we love that about each other! There simply isn’t only one way to do anything in business or with photography. Inspiration moves through all of us in unique ways, and what we do with that inspiration yields completely different results. That’s a beautiful thing! In this episode of the Certified Madness Podcast, we’re chatting all about how we approach creative shoots, why we do personal work and all the different levels of how to bring those ideas into fruition.

059: Creative Shoots & Personal Work – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

A reoccurring topic we’ve tackled on our podcast is what photography education will look like in 2021– so, we invited our good friend, Sean Brown, to join us for an incredible episode all about Education & Mindset. He has his finger on the pulse of senior photography education with his Mastermind Group, which makes him the perfect industry-insider on these hot topics. We cover everything from learning, growing, and evolving– and also veer into how your mindset is key to your success and why you should stay true to who you are. Trust us, friends, this episode is loaded with good stuff!

058: Education & Mindset w/ Sean Brown – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

One of the hardest things to work through in business and in life is being uncomfortable. Obviously, the word "uncomfortable" says it all. However, we are firm believers that in order to get comfortable, you have to embrace beinguncomfortable. The beauty of the process is that you will grow in ways you never imagined– and more than likely, you'll learn so much about yourself, your abilities, and what you are capable of overcoming. As always, our Certified Madness Crew is candidly and honestly talking about the challenges and changes we're dealing with in our own businesses. We're chatting about being restlessly bored and needing to shake things up, welcoming Assistants into our companies, editing woes and finally letting go of some of the control by outsourcing. Tune-in to our latest episode to hear all about how we're working through everything, no matter how uncomfortable and chaotic it might be!

057: Systems, Outsourcing & Assistants – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

Love it or loathe it, as business owners, social media is just something we all HAVE to do. In this episode of Certified Madness, we're digging into tips and ideas on how to embrace and integrate Instagram and TikTok into your business life. In addition, we're also talking about Ambassador Programs and Model Teams– and what they look like in 2021. As we all know, Covid has thrown a wrench into EVERYTHING! We're all still learning how we can operate our businesses and lives in the time of Corona. Tune-in for some fun and exciting new ideas on how you can celebrate your teams in a very 2021 way!

056: Social Media & Ambassador Programs/Model Teams – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

We're back, serving-up our weekly dose of madness with a side of humor– and even a little business. You know us, we love nothing more than wild tangents and a good laugh. In this episode of randomness, we're chatting all about in-camera trickery (using prisms, specialty lenses and magnifying sheets), studio lighting (and the bizarre equipment that Jolene recently purchased) and surviving the long work hours that Covid has cursed us with.

055: In-Camera Trickery, Studio Lighting & Long Hours – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

In this episode of the Certified Madness Podcast, we're covering a multitude of topics ranging from Covid Fatigue to the Super Bowl and Favorite Apps and Traveling in the time of Corona... Join us for lots of laughter and candid stories of how we're getting through this strange time in the world. As Brittney would say, "We're surviving and thriving!"

054: Fatigue, Football, Favorite Apps & Travel – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

We posted our last episode right around the time that Covid-19 was causing shutdowns all around the US– and the rest of the world. As we all know, that was 9 months ago. Back then, we had no idea that we would still be facing a global pandemic all these months later. In this episode, you'll meet the newest member of our Certified Madness Crew and hear all about what we've been doing through quarantine!

053: Let's Get the Podcast Party Started – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski, Brittney Kluse & Emil Rodriguez-Powell

Blogging definitely is not a popular task among most photographers. However, the pros of doing so far outweigh the cons of opting not to. In a nutshell, blogs are absolutely perfect for sharing your work, getting personal and vulnerable, marketing your business and driving more traffic to your website. There are so many benefits and reasons why you should be blogging and in this week's episode of the Certified Madness Podcast, we're talking all about it! When this episode is over, we hope to make bloggers out of each and every single one of you!

052: Why Blogging is Beneficial to Your Business – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski & Brittney Kluse

In this episode of Certified Madness, we're having a conversation about schedules and home life during Covid-19. If you are working from home, implementing structure and creating a set schedule is absolutely vital. This will allow you to achieve a balance of work hours and necessary rest hours. Of course, it goes without saying, if you aren't working at this time, that's okay, too. You do you! Whatever it takes to survive these crazy days and get through, do that. We're also talking about how we're getting through the chaos, ways to plan for life after Coronavirus and adapting to things that are out of our control. We're all in this together!

051: Schedules & Home Life During Covid-19 – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski & Brittney Kluse

Covid-19 (aka Coronavirus). It has stopped us all in our tracks. Literally. For most of us, it happened overnight. When we filmed our previous episode, it was on Monday, March 16th, 2020. There were a few cases reported in the US at that point, but we were all hard at work, living life, going strong. Two days later, things went south. Schools started being shutdown, stay at home orders started being issued, workplaces started closing their doors and grocery store shelves were wiped clean. We were all told to prepare- but not really understanding what exactly we were preparing for- because every state is in a different situation. Panic set in. Covid-19 cases continued to soar, people cancelled events- weddings, parties, conferences... Within days, Covid-19 changed everything. In this episode of Certified Madness, we're having a conversation about how we're coping, adjusting and getting through the Coronavirus Pandemic. No one really knows how long we will be going through this horrific situation, but one thing is for certain: we have all been affected- and we will most likely be feeling the affects for a long time coming. Of course, we always try to find the humor in every predicament because laughter is how the three of us cope. We are all in the same boat at this scary time, find comfort in knowing that you're not alone in your fear or uncertainty- we are all in this together.

050: How Covid-19 Has Changed Everything – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski & Brittney Kluse

Fear. It's a four-letter bitch. It can stifle and derail you, stop you in your tracks and complete takeover your life. It's seriously the worst. With that said, it's also an essential element to life and business because overcoming fear will be what leads to empowerment, success and truly learning all that you are capable of accomplishing. Don't ignore your fears, embrace them and find a way to work past them. You've got this! In this episode of Certified Madness, we're chatting all about fear. We're discussing business, fear of failure, pricing, starting out, knowing when to leap, branding and everything in-between.

049: Stop Letting Fear Control You – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski & Brittney Kluse

Yeah, so, we disappeared again. It was unintentional, but hey, life happened. We're three crazy photographers/business owners/mothers/wives/creatives... The crap literally hit the fan and we all fell into survival mode, which forced us to take another step back from recording. In this silly episode, we're talking through everything we've been dealing with the past four months, which is pretty entertaining! We're also chatting all about the amazing Deconstructed Shootout that went down in the desert last week! So much good stuff! Tune in and join the conversation!

048: Where We've Been + The Deconstructed Shootout Recap – with Holli True, Jolene Dombrowski & Brittney Kluse

Welcome to the Certified Madness Podcast! Whether you are just waking up or haven't gone to bed, pull up a chair and settle in for some laughs in the pajama pants we know you've been wearing for three days... come on, you are just like us. Get ready for real talk and real laughs as we solve the world's problems, one podcast at a time. Grab a coffee, water, wine- whatevs- we don't judge! We invite you to be part of our conversation by sharing your madness with us, too!

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Certified Madness Podcast

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