032: The Sh*t Sandwich Theory

⚠️ Warning: this one might sting—but it might also be the thing that finally pushes you to build what you've been dreaming of building. Every photographer dreams about the fully booked calendar, the luxury brand, the $6k sales, and the freedom that comes with running a business on your own terms. But here’s the truth nobody wants to admit: every single dream you’re chasing comes with a price tag. And it’s not the pretty part. It’s the part that tastes bitter, feels relentless, and never makes it onto anyone’s Instagram feed. In this episode, I’m sharing the side of business that separates the ones who make it from the ones who burn out—the Sh*t Sandwich. You’ll hear why frustration isn’t an interruption to your business—it IS your business. And you’ll hear exactly how to know if the dream you’re chasing is worth what it actually costs. Inside this episode:The mastermind student who went from “cutesy mommy hobby” to a multi–six-figure luxury brand dripping with intention and edge.The fantasy every photographer builds in their head—and the brutal reality check of what it takes to live it.The real cost of $6k sales (and why most photographers quit before they ever get there).Why your images aren’t the thing holding you back—it’s your refusal to eat the sandwich that actually builds a brand.The simple, gut-check question I ask myself whenever I feel like quitting—and why the answer keeps me going. This episode will rearrange the way you see your business. Because success isn’t about how much you want the dream. It’s about whether you’re willing to eat the sandwich that comes with it. Timestamps:00:00 Welcome to The Posers Podcast00:50 The Shit Sandwich: A Business Reality01:34 Mastermind Success Story: Elizabeth Dugan07:14 The Dream Life and Its Challenges10:41 The Reality of Entrepreneurship22:11 Choosing Your Hard: The Entrepreneur's Dilemma28:03 The Mastermind: Your Path to Success33:38 Final Thoughts and Call to Action 🔗 Connect with Jodi:📸 Website📷 Instagram Love this kind of coaching?Make sure you’re on my newsletter list where I share the behind-the-scenes of launches, pricing, posing psychology, and what it really takes to scale a photography business with soul. 📣 Help Spread the Word!If you loved this episode, subscribe, rate, and review! Algorithms are needier than all our ex-boyfriends combined, and I need all the help I can get.Tits up, ears open—let’s go build something epic. And because I always want to give you tools that actually move the needle:The Posing Method → My signature course that teaches you how to pose the brain instead of the body—so you can drop dopamine and oxytocin in the first two minutes of a shoot and completely transform your galleries. Pass Platinum → The done-for-you print shop that brings in extra revenue on autopilot. Use THIS LINK to save $250 when you set yours up. The Mastermind Waitlist → Want to go deeper with me on building a photography business that actually scales? Join the waitlist [here] so you don’t miss the next round.