Quick Answer
I was recently a guest on the Be More Business podcast, where we had a very real conversation about systems, automation, AI, and why systems that work with your temperament matter more than whatever workflow template you downloaded. If systems have ever made you feel broken, behind, or exhausted, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.
Here’s the thing…
Most systems advice assumes we all think the same way.
We don’t.
Some people crave structure. Some people need flexibility. Some people won’t touch a system unless it’s tied to a bigger purpose. And yet, the internet keeps handing out identical advice and acting confused when it doesn’t work for half the population.
That’s exactly why this conversation with Kimberly Beer mattered. We didn’t come at systems from a “do this or fail” angle. We talked about how different work styles show up in real businesses — and why support should flex instead of fight you.
What We Actually Talked About
Yes, systems came up. Automation too. AI, obviously.
But the deeper conversation was about relief.
Relief from thinking you’re bad at business because a planner didn’t stick.
Relief from forcing yourself into structures that exhaust you.
Relief from the idea that discipline is the missing ingredient.
What most people actually need aren’t better planners — they need systems that work with their temperament, energy, and real-life constraints. We talked about how automation can support wildly different work styles, why AI can be either a lifesaver or a liability depending on how you use it, and what happens when you stop copying someone else’s workflow and build support that actually matches how you operate.
No formulas. No hustle theater. Just two people with very different approaches finding common ground where it actually matters.
The Part That Feels Especially Relevant Right Now
AI is changing how businesses operate and how information gets found. At the same time, a lot of the advice floating around hasn’t evolved at all.
So business owners are doing what they always do when something feels off: blaming themselves.
On the episode, we talked about why that instinct is misplaced. Why front-loading the right work matters more than chasing tools. And why structure and freedom don’t have to be opposites.
(Also — real talk — you can’t automate chaos.)
What We Didn’t Do
We didn’t hand out rigid frameworks that collapse the moment real life shows up. We didn’t pretend AI is flawless or neutral. And we definitely didn’t shame anyone for hating planners.
Instead, we talked about balance. About building systems that support you even on days when your energy is gone. And about letting tools carry some of the load so you can focus on the work that actually matters.
Listen to the Episode
The episode went live December 22, and you can listen however it fits into your day:
FAQs
Who is this episode for?
Business owners, creatives, and service providers who want systems that work with their temperament, not systems they have to fight every single day.
Is this episode beginner-friendly?
Yes. And it’s still useful if you’ve already built systems that mostly work but feel heavier than they should.
Is this about AI tools or AI strategy?
Much more strategy than tools. We talk about how to think about AI before you let it make decisions for your business.
Do I need to be good at systems to benefit?
Absolutely not. Especially if systems have never loved you back.
Your Next Step
Hope is not a strategy. But systems that work with your temperament absolutely are.
Betsy Bird, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, TPM, TSD, of Ride the Sky Equine Photography, spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. When she’s not mentoring photographers, wrangling teenagers, or acting like a total goofball, she’s hanging with Derby—the puppy currently training to be office assistant (jury’s still out on whether “chewing cords” counts as a legitimate job skill).
Betsy has earned both her Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). She also holds the CPP, TPM, and TSD designations and currently serves on the Board of Directors of both the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Assocation (TNPPA).
An award-winning photographer, Betsy is also a published author, national presenter, and frequent podcast guest. Her book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell, has become a resource for photographers, and she’s been featured on The Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, The Focal Points Podcast, and more.
Through her digital tools, courses, and mentoring programs, Betsy teaches photographers how to build profitable businesses without the overwhelm. She is an expert in her field (which isn’t that surprising given how much time she actually spends outstanding in a field… get it?).