We were lucky to catch up with Cassie Schmidt recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cassie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I’ve been running some sort of business since I was about 15 years old – starting with photography. Fast forward a few years, I attended UW-Madison to get my BBA in Entrepreneurship & Management. While there, I also ran my own house painting business and became consumed by an obsession with achieving. I went to class, ran my business, and often skipped time with family / friends so I could get more done…

Until one day, after I had moved across the country but continued to chase success, my mom became very ill out of the blue. Her condition grew very serious within just a couple of weeks and though she was near the fatal end of the spectrum, pulled through. In those weeks that I thought I might lose her, all I could think about was all the dinners, birthday parties, and little memories I missed out on over the years.

My business didn’t matter to me at all. She did. And it kind of woke me up to my own priorities. Instead of blind ambition, I began to allow intention to guide me. After a couple of years and selling off that business, I realized that what mattered most to me was not only running a business that would allow me to make my loved ones the priority, but that also helped other small business owners avoid the same regret I experienced.

I became a business consultant to creatives so I could help them create boundaries, systems, efficient processes, and better results in less time so they had more to give to the people who really matter most in their lives… Instead of continuing to push the narrative of more, more, more, I encourage entrepreneurs to slow down and take intentional, true-to-them action, to create the business they truly desire. My motto became this — you can’t grow a business you love around a lifestyle you hate.

Cassie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a business coach / consultant for creative entrepreneurs (photographers, copywriters, interior designers, web designers, etc.). At the root of it, I help business owners reclaim their time a few different ways including:

1) better systems / processes / workflows
2) efficient / effective marketing methods such as SEO
3) increasing conversions on their website & throughout their sales process
4) time management / batch working
5) pricing / packaging strategy

While I do offer 1:1 consulting in the form of standalone meetings & continuous partnership, I also have a few self-study courses / resources.

My clients have gone from sleeping only 3 hours a night to 8, getting full weekends back with their families, all while growing their business even more. They’ve created flexible schedules & enforced better client boundaries. Some have increased their booking percentage by as much as 60%.

But the coolest moment was when I recently met up with a client and her daughter. When introducing me (because it had been a while since I saw them last), she told her daughter, “this is Miss Cassie – she’s the reason mommy gets to spend so much time with you.” THAT is why I do what I do.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This question kind of makes me laugh because I’ve pivoted… A LOT! I mean, seriously… I went from running a photography business, to a house painting business & mentoring others, to copywriting, back to photography, to starting a blog about weddings & wine, to selling digital designs on Etsy, to business coaching.

Some of those times, the pivot came out of necessity (like moving away). Other times, it was the realization that the business track I was on was not going to support the lifestyle I desired (like having to take pictures on nights and weekends).

It’s been a wild ride, but a the end of the day, I’ve taken skills I learned in each endeavor with me to make my next business that much better. All of my experience also helps me to serve / relate to my clients even better now.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Treating people well & really listening. I work in a not-so-well-perceived market. People are very skeptical / weary of business coaches and for good reason – there are quite a few predatory ones out there. Just like any industry, other professionals in my field can be pushy, manipulative, and make business owners feel like they have to conform to their methods to succeed.

None of that jives with my personality or beliefs, so I’ve never followed the same path. Instead, I just show up with a service-first mindset. I don’t make consult calls about me. They’re about the client. If we’re a good fit, they’ll know. If not, I’m happy to admit that and recommend someone else. But at the end of the day, I always do what I feel will serve my client best, even if it costs me in the short-term.

I will also NEVER pretend there is a one-size-fits-all solution in business. Because I take the time to truly listen to my clients and create custom solutions alongside them, they trust me. Not to mention, they get incredible results, so recommending me to friends in need is a no-brainer. Writing great reviews isn’t a big ask when you know the person you worked with genuinely cared. All of this has helped me grow organically, but also gain the reputation of kindness, gentleness, and effectiveness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cassieschmidt.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativebusinesscoach
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassieschmidtcoaching
• Other: The Creative Cantina Podcast: https://cassieschmidt.com/the-creative-cantina-podcast

Image Credits
Photo & Film by Sarah Elizabeth Amy Lynn Creative EP Studios