Let's take the guesswork out of launching and growing your photography business, shall we?
Imagine an insider's club if you will, that not only teaches you the tools that you need to build a successful business BUT ALSO walks you through the journey hand in hand. Sounds amazing, right?!
You have no idea what I would have given for a chance to learn from another photographer in business when I was first starting my side-hustle a decade ago - not to mention as my business grew and scaled past the competition in my market.
Listen - I've been where you are. Just like you, I see a new shiny course and sign up immediately with the hopes that it will not only transform your business but also your life. More time? Yes please! More money? Um, duh. More success? YES YES YES.
As a creative, you know the tiresome (and lonely) struggle of being a one-woman show. You’re doing all the things - and it's SO much more than photography. You're a marketer, a website developer, a client relations and customer service rep, a bookkeeper, a project manager, social media maven, and oh year - the FACE OF YOUR BUSINESS. To sum it all up - you're a creative entreprenuer, and you're EXHAUSTED!!!
Simply put - the Open Book Club is different than any other business course you've seen before.
We have one goal - to build your business WITH YOU! We didn’t create this program with passive income in mind. There is nothing passive about this program, to be honest. We are going to get in the trenches with you, help you focus, hold you accountable, connect with you others going through the same challenges, be available for you as much as you need it, share in your successes, and CHEER YOU ON as you build the business of your dreams.
We are literally IN IT with you!
You've heard all the other success stories, photographers making it big time and rolling in their 6 figures, traveling to exotic and exciting destinations, walking through their fully booked calendars and you can’t help but wonder…
You’re overwhelmed by all the changes you want to make in your business and don’t know what to focus on first
You struggle to focus AND get things done
You crave connection
The time and creative energy are draining out of you because you have no idea where you’re headed, how to get there or if the destination even feels authentic to you
You’re tired of doing this business journey alone
You wish you had “your people” in the photography world who you could go to when you had questions or needed support
12-WEEK group study program
quarterly topics to help you in all areas of your business
Weekly assignments and peer group accountability
BI-WEEKLY group coaching sessions
monthly one-on-one coaching sessions
personalized business roadmap
unlimited slack access
When you join The Open Book Club, you get 3 months of actionable business advice to meet you where you are and carve a path forward for your business. No matter where you are on your business path - you belong here.
The open book club
Introducing
Get instant access to all of our pre-recorded lessons so that you can easily access the material when you need it!
The lesson library
Inclusion No.1
See What's Included:
Every quarter you'll receive handouts and workbooks that go hand in and hand with each month of content. They will help walk you through the module for success. We suggest heading out now to buy yourself a pretty binder that will bring you joy so that you can print each hand out and follow along with us. You can scribble your thoughts and dreams, crumble it up and print it again till it feels right. This binder is your business road map and guiding light. Of course, if PDF’s are your thing, we will provide editable ones as well!
HANDOUTS, WORKBOOKS OH MY!
Inclusion No.2
You can work through the course at any time, from anywhere as long as you have internet access! We’ll also have a private student-led Facebook group for you to ask each other questions, share progress, and network! Plus - you'll get a chance to lead your FB group and serve as moderator (and get a bonus coaching check-in with me for stepping up!).
STUDENT-LED COMMUNITY IN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP!
Inclusion No.3
You can crowdsource awesome answers from your peers in the student-led community, but if you have questions specifically for Kara we will have two group calls monthly!
LIVE GROUP COACHING
Inclusion No.4
Accountability to help you actually follow through on implementing what you learn with 1-on-1 weekly Slack check-ins from our team.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Inclusion No.5
All the tools you need
Take a peek at just some of the upcoming topics we will be chatting about...
Q4
Creating a Solid Foundation
In this step you'll focus on defining the core aspects of your business that will inform your marketing strategy and you'll fortify your own mindset and processes. This step is important whether you have been in business for years or just starting out. Re-evaluating your goals, establishing the foundation that is most often skipped when launching a business.
- Define your business goals
- Make sure your mindset is right for the upcoming growth
- Define a system for getting shit done
- Figuring out exactly who you want to work with
- Determining a mission statement and vision statement
Coming March 2023
Q1
More Than a Brand
Our first ever Open Book Club (BETA SESSION LAUNCHING THIS FALL!!!) will tackle the absolute #1 way to uplevel your products and services and make more money. BRANDING. And let me tell you friend, it is SO much more than a logo. You'll focus on where you want your business to go and will work backwards to craft your brand image, voice, price, process - even your client. Like they say in that "old-timey" baseball movie from my childhood (hello my 80's babies!) - "If you build it, they WILL come." Already have a brand? Well then, let's put it to the test, focus group it within the group, and find ways to modernize your message. Remember - your business needs to evolve year after year to stay in demand. Your brand must evolve as well.
- Dive deep into your brand position, voice, and identity
- Identify the MAGIC in your products + services
- Define your customer journey
- Write copy that speaks to your ideal client
- Connect with your community to find intersecting client segments and brand awareness opportunities
- Audit and update all brand touch points (website, social, etc.) to a create cohesive, professional business presence
- BONUS: Annual review, 2023 goal-setting, Productivity hacks
Q2
Systems & Procedures
Although this is probably the most “boring step” in our business journey, it is often the one that we all struggle with. We launch our business, focus on marketing, get busy then start to spin out of control because we never took the time to put systems in place from the start.
- Define a system for getting shit done.
- Polish your project management systems
- Organizing your calendar for success
- Determining your “time suck” and where you need to focus on being more efficient.
- Clients will work through your flow like a pro
- Find and set up a CRM that will make invoicing, contracts and more a breeze
Q3
Scaling
You will create the workflow you need to succeed and allow your team to know what needs to be done and when… no more fears about micromanaging or getting pinged at all times during the day.Work days that feel like a well-oiled machine are the result of having the right systems in place. It’s also what gives you back your weekends, some Fridays off, and lets you read a book once in a while.
- Hiring your A team
- Delegating like a pro
- Training your crew with ease
- Who you need to hire first and why
- BONUS: Annual review and goal-setting for success
Hi, I'm Kara
The drastic changes Covid inflicted on everyday life made me examine what I really want from photography - and life in general. I took a hard look at how my career fits into my family's life as my girls grow older, and how time away from them becomes harder to prioritize.
But the unimaginable loss of my immune-compromised mother to Covid in November 2021 was the push I needed to finally take the leap and start The Grove. As my world turned upside down, I learned in the most painful way how short our time here is, and why prioritizing time with family is so important. Losing my mama - who helped so many people over her 30-year teaching career - gave me the courage to build a business dedicated to helping others reach their dreams.
I want to help photographers with all the things I had to figure out on my own when I was first starting out. I want to be an open book and share everything I know with anyone who has questions or needs help or support.
That’s why I created The Grove as a place where photographers can learn and grow alongside each other and openly share resources and business strategies. I want The Grove to be a place where we always have something to learn from someone, something to share with someone, and someone to pull up alongside us into a greater community.
And I know if my mom were still here, she'd be cheering me (and you) on.
The unimaginable loss of my immune-compromised mother to Covid in November 2021 was the push I needed to finally take the leap and start The Grove.
As my world turned upside down, I learned in the most painful way how short our time here is. Losing my mama - who helped so many people over her 30-year teaching career - gave me the courage to build a business dedicated to helping others reach their dreams.
That’s why I created The Grove as a place where photographers can learn and grow alongside each other and openly share resources and business strategies. I want The Grove to be a place where we always have something to learn from someone, something to share with someone, and someone to pull up alongside us into a greater community.
And I know if my mom were still here, she'd be cheering me (and you) on.
Like so many others, Covid changed my life - forever.
Mama + me
Who am I?
Here's the thing...
You don't need another course or membership sitting around collecting dust because it doesn't provide enough support and isn't designed to work WITH you.
When you’re IN your business every day and you’re wearing all the hats and doing all the things, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, lost, and like you’re always two steps behind.
You get so stuck in the everyday that you lose sight of your goals, what you REALLY wanted for your business, and the path you were meant to be on. My job is to bring you back to your TRUE path with clarity, focus, and accountability.
Trust me - I get it.
After our initial Discovery Call, I’ll match you with a Peer Group that will keep you accountable and will be a great source of encouragement and inspiration for you along the way.
There will be weekly assignments and goals to check off your list, and my team will be checking your progress and will check in with you and get you back on track if you're struggling or falling behind.
We’ll also have monthly 1-on-1 coaching sessions to work through your roadblocks, narrow your vision, and keep you moving along your business plan path.
Accountability to keep you on track + connected.
The goal of the Open Book Club is simple - to help you build your photography business with ease and set you up for success long-term.
Our Strategy
Here’s how this quarter will break down:
Q4 Theme: Creating a Solid Foundation
month
- Live training and group coaching
- Supporting training from lesson library
- Strategy workbook “Chapter 1” delivered (will walk you through the lesson via questions and help guide you to answering the questions + interpreting the material to your specific business)
- Peer buddy/groups assigned, contact info given
- FB Group intro
- Slack channel intro
1
- Group coaching with Week 1 assignment due
- Supporting training from lesson library
- Strategy workbook “Chapter 2” delivered
- First peer group/buddy meeting, send feedback to Kara
- First Student-led FB Group monitor assigned w/specific engagement assignment to network and build community within class
- Access to Kara via Slack
2
3
- Group coaching with Week 2 assignment due
- Supporting training from lesson library
- Strategy workbook “Chapter 3” delivered
- Second peer group/buddy meeting, send feedback to Kara
- Second Student-led FB Group monitor assigned w/specific engagement assignment to network and build community within class
- Access to Kara via Slack
Since working with Kara, I have been more successful than in any stage of owning a small business. I went from feeling lost, scatted-brained, and burnt out, to feeling excited, focused, and eager to move forward.
Thank you, Kara, for caring about me, caring about my business, and for acting as an incredible mentor!
Kate Todd
Kate Todd Photography
client since 2022
Can I cancel anytime I want?
Yes, you pay for the program in quarters so should you wish to cancel your membership, you will not be charged for the next quarter of content. We need a min 7 days notice in order to process your cancellation.
As long as your membership is active, you will have access to all the new and updated content. If you ever decide to leave the Open Book Club, you will continue to have access to the content that you paid for.
How long will I have access to the content?
I totally understand! In my experience, your busy season is actually the best time to make changes to your business. Why? Well for starters - your business is in demand! You have a captive audience and will be able to test out new business strategies in real-time. The Open Book Club will teach you how to make time to work IN your business - especially when business is good.
Right now is a busy time for me, I’m worried I won’t have time to do the work.
I have literally walked in your shoes - and am still standing! The Open Book Club is just that - access to a photographer who built her business from the ground up - giving you all the dos and don’ts so you don’t have to spend 5x-10x the time and money figuring it out on your own. It's like a course AND a coaching program, rolled into an incredible networking community (with a cherry on top!). The Open Book Club also builds on itself each quarter, giving you major leaps forward in your business in a strategic, yet easy-to-manage kind of way.
I'VE spent a lot of moolah on other programs, how is yours different?
Don't worry, I have the answers!
You might have some questions...
Do I need to follow week by week or can I go at my own pace?
So while you can do it at your own pace, we have formatted the Open Book Club to be a hands-on education and networking community that relies on participation and accountability to succeed. Here's the truth - "self-study" courses rarely bring about the changes promised and often make you feel overwhelmed. Take it from me. When you make a significant investment in your business and are expected to participate and follow-thru - THAT'S WHEN THE CHANGE HAPPENS.
Will I get to coach with you one-on-one?
Yes, of course! To start, we'll chat during your "Discovery Call" so I can learn about you and your business and you can ask all your questions right away. We'll also have a 1-on-1 coaching call every month you're in the Open Book Club, and can always ask questions and give feedback on our weekly group coaching calls. You also get unlimited access to me via Slack for all the questions that pop into your head as you're implementing changes to your business. I want you to succeed (BIG TIME!) and am here to help you in any way I can. Let's do this friend!
Have more questions?
Ready to make a change?
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