There's no perfect way on how to navigate difficult and heavy times. Right now, we live in a city that is once again at the center of national headlines and we are experiencing a lot of heaviness, grief, pain, and so many other things. There are no words, there is no perfect response, and in this episode I just wanted to have an honest reflection. No script, no perfectly planned episode, just speaking from the heart on this one. There's a lot more I could have said, but out of a lack of capacity this was all I felt I could share right now.

In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I’m walking you through how to start the year intentionally—without falling into the trap of trying to do everything at once. If you tend to come into January with big ideas, high motivation, and a long list of things you want to change, this conversation is for you.

We’re talking about why this season should be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint, and how real, long-term success comes from slowing down enough to reflect, reset, and build a plan that’s actually sustainable.

Inside this episode, we cover:

What to intentionally carry into the new year—and what to let go of

The importance of dreaming big before jumping into tactics

Identifying the routines, systems, and distractions that are holding you back

How tools, outsourcing, and better systems can support your energy—not drain it

Why getting clear on your why is essential for goals that actually stick

The role community plays in building a fulfilling and sustainable business

I also share how I personally think about alignment, money, time freedom, and community—and why success without clarity or support often leads to burnout, even when things look good on paper.

To help you go deeper, I’ve created a free strategy and vision-setting guide that walks you through these questions step by step. You can copy it into a Google Doc, take it to a coffee shop, or use it during your own personal retreat—whatever helps you sit with your business and your life more intentionally.

Get the FREE 2026 Vision and Alignment Workbook!

https://take-your-shot.myflodesk.com/2026-vision-workbook

Free online community:

https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

Free resources & guides (including the strategy/vision guide):

https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

One-on-one coaching with Halle:

https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Follow along on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

If you’re ready to set the tone for the year ahead in a way that feels grounded, thoughtful, and aligned, this episode is a great place to start.

Come say hi on Instagram and tell me what you’re most excited about this year. And if this episode resonated, screenshot it, share it, and tag us—I’d love to reshare and continue building this community together.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Minneapolis DJ and event host Benny Nord for a conversation that every wedding pro needs to hear. Benny has become one of the most trusted DJs in our market — couples literally plan their wedding dates around his availability — and it has far less to do with music and far more to do with how he makes people feel.

We’re diving into the soft skills that truly transform the client experience and what it looks like to put people first, even in the busiest seasons of business.

• Why connection matters more than perfection in creative work

• How “looking up more often” completely shifts your presence on a wedding day

• The difference between guest experience and client experience — and why they’re inseparable

• How to know when a client isn’t the right fit (and how to turn them away with kindness)

• Handling unexpected moments with confidence and care

• The simple audits Benny uses to consistently improve his client experience

Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, planner, or any creative in the wedding space, this episode will help you rethink how you show up — not just technically, but relationally.

Instagram: @bennynord

UP Event Group: @upeventgroup

• Free Community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

• Business Resources + Discounts: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

• Coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

• Follow on Instagram: @takeyourshotcollective

December can feel loud, overwhelming, and full of pressure—holiday chaos, Black Friday sales, and the lingering burnout from wedding season. In this episode, we talk about why this month is not the time to overhaul your business or make big decisions, especially when you're operating from exhaustion instead of clarity.

If you’re feeling tired, behind, or pulled in too many directions, this episode gives you permission to slow down and reset before heading into January with a clearer mind.

Take Your Shot Resources:

Free community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

Free resources: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

Apply for 1:1 Coaching: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

If you’ve ever wondered when to hire a VA, what to hand off first, or how to stop “delegating” only to redo the work later, this episode will help you build an outsourcing plan that truly supports your business. I’m joined by Ellie Leonard, Founder and CEO of Virtual Bliss Assisting, to talk about sustainable systems, clear communication, and trust-based partnerships that protect your energy and improve your client experience.

We walk through how to recognize the signs you’re ready for help, what a strong onboarding process looks like, and how to set expectations so tasks get done right the first time. Ellie shares a simple roadmap for choosing your first delegations, creating SOPs without overcomplicating them, and measuring the ROI of admin support versus an online business manager. We also cover how to course-correct if you’ve had a less-than-ideal outsourcing experience, and ways to structure weekly rhythms so you stay in your lane while your VA keeps the back end moving.

If you’re tired of juggling everything yourself and want structure that fits your season, this conversation will give you the language, steps, and confidence to delegate well.

STAY CONNECTED:

• Virtual Bliss Assisting website: https://www.virtualblissassisting.com

• Ellie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualblissassisting

MORE FROM TAKE YOUR SHOT COLLECTIVE

• Free online community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

• Business resources and tools: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

• 1:1 coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

If this episode helped you rethink how you delegate, follow the show and leave a review so more creatives can find it.

What if your time management wasn’t a rigid system to force yourself into—but a flexible framework that works with your energy, your season, and your actual life? In this episode, I’m joined by time management and productivity coach Lauren Glynn to talk about building sustainable structure as a creative, testing your “ideal week” instead of guessing, and making small shifts that unlock real momentum.

We dig into how to recognize misalignment (busy but not effective), why tracking your time honestly is the first step to change, and how to design your calendar around your energy patterns instead of defaulting to what everyone else does. Lauren shares her BREK Framework (Baseline, Record, Evaluate, Keep practicing), along with her “Hell Yes Task Sorter” approach to clarify what you should keep, automate, delegate, or drop. We also talk about experimenting with meeting days, protecting creative focus time, and adjusting your systems by season so you’re not burning out in the busiest months.

If you’ve tried every planner and still feel behind, this conversation will help you build a simple, repeatable rhythm that actually supports your business and your life.

• Hell Yes Task Sorter (Notion template): https://laurenglynn.com/hellyes

• Connect with Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurengconsulting/

• Free community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

• Business resources and tools: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

• 1:1 coaching with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeyourshotcollective

• Content Strategy Boot Camp: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/content

Have you ever looked at someone else's business and wondered how they “made it” so quickly?

In this episode of the Take Your Shot Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on what “overnight success” really looks like—and why it’s almost always anything but overnight. I’m sharing real stories (including one from a YouTuber who worked for 10 years before seeing traction) and my own journey building a business that’s sustainable, fulfilling, and built on systems—not hustle.

If you’ve ever felt behind, burnt out, or unsure whether your hard work is ever going to pay off… this episode is for you.

You'll walk away with:

• Why consistency is your most underrated advantage
• How to build a business that can actually last
• Why comparing your journey to someone else’s middle will always backfire
• And what it takes to create momentum that compounds over time

Whether you're in year one or year ten of your business, this episode is your reminder that your work matters—and it’s working even when it doesn’t feel like it yet.

• Learn more about the Booking breakthrough
• Free Business Resources & Tools
• 1:1 Coaching with Halle
• Follow on Instagram

If you found this episode helpful, leave a review and share it with a friend who needs to hear this today.

Ever finish a consultation call and wonder if you really connected with the couple? In this episode, I’m sharing three intentional things I do in every single inquiry call that consistently lead to more bookings—without feeling salesy or scripted.

If you want to book more weddings, serve your couples better from the very first conversation, and create an experience that makes you the obvious choice—this one’s for you.

We’re talking about the power of asking better questions, making couples feel known, and guiding them in a way that builds trust right from the start.

You’ll walk away with simple changes you can make on your next call that could lead to your next “yes.”

More from Take Your Shot Collective:

Join our free online community: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/community

Free resources and discounts: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/business-resources

Coaching opportunities with Halle: https://takeyourshotcollective.com/coaching

Connect on Instagram: @takeyourshotcollective