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This Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Self Made Misfit listeners can save 10% off their first month with BetterHelp by clicking here: betterhelp.com/selfmademisfitsCheck out our BRAND NEW WEBSITE at www.selfmademisfits.com and podcast listeners get 10% off the shop for the month of February using the promo code: MISFITS10Want to join in the conversations? Connect with us on social media!Instagram: @selfmademisfitsTikTok: @selfmademisfitsFacebook: Self Made MisfitsTwitter:      @SMMisfitsPodFor topic ideas or interview requests, email us at selfmademisfitspodcast@gmail.comTo view more of Matt & Dynae’s personal work visit:@dynaelevingston on IG@matthewlevingston.vo on IG@bucketsnboards on IGwww.bucketsnboards.comwww.matthewlevingston.comwww.dynaelevingston.com

This Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Self Made Misfit listeners can save 10% off their first month with BetterHelp by clicking here: betterhelp.com/selfmademisfits Podcasts and Documentaries to check out if you want to deep dive:Armchaired and Dangerous: Lizard PeopleArmchaired and Dangerous: Simulation TheoryDark Tourist on NetflixReferences:Conspiracy Theory Viral ChartWhy Do WE Believe in Conspiracy Theories? by Margaret Seide, MDWhy Do People Believe in Conspiracy Theories? from Psychology Today Want to join in the conversations? Connect with us on social media!Instagram: @selfmademisfitsTikTok: @selfmademisfitsFacebook: Self Made MisfitsTwitter:      @SMMisfitsPodFor topic ideas or interview requests, email us at selfmademisfitspodcast@gmail.comTo view more of Matt & Dynae’s personal work visit:@dynaelevingston on IG@matthewlevingston.vo on IG@bucketsnboards on IGwww.bucketsnboards.comwww.matthewlevingston.comwww.dynaelevingston.com 

This Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Self Made Misfit listeners can save 10% off their first month with BetterHelp by clicking here: betterhelp.com/selfmademisfitsREFERENCES:Other podcasts we reference in this episode:Ear Biscuits Episode 226 Want to join in the conversations? Connect with us on social media!Instagram: @selfmademisfitsTikTok: @selfmademisfitsFacebook: Self Made MisfitsTwitter:      @SMMisfitsPodFor topic ideas or interview requests, email us at selfmademisfitspodcast@gmail.comTo view more of Matt & Dynae’s personal work visit:@dynaelevingston on IG@matthewlevingston.vo on IG@bucketsnboards on IGwww.bucketsnboards.comwww.matthewlevingston.comwww.dynaelevingston.com

This Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Self Made Misfit listeners can save 10% off their first month with BetterHelp by clicking here: betterhelp.com/selfmademisfits----------------------Want to join in the conversations? Connect with us on social media!Instagram: @selfmademisfitsTikTok: @selfmademisfitsFacebook: Self Made MisfitsTwitter:      @SMMisfitsPodFor topic ideas or interview requests, email us at selfmademisfitspodcast@gmail.comTo view more of Matt & Dynae’s personal work visit:@dynaelevingston on IG@matthewlevingston.vo on IG@bucketsnboards on IGwww.bucketsnboards.comwww.matthewlevingston.comwww.dynaelevingston.com

For more information click this link for more info at: BetterHelp.com Want to join in the conversations? Connect with us on social media!Instagram: @selfmademisfitsTikTok: @selfmademisfitsFacebook: Self Made MisfitsTwitter:      @SMMisfitsPodTo view more of Matt & Dynae’s personal work visit:@dynaelevingston on IG@matthewlevingston.vo on IG@bucketsnboards on IGwww.bucketsnboards.comwww.matthewlevingston.comwww.dynaelevingston.com

Want to join in the conversations? Connect with us on social media!Instagram: @selfmademisfitsTikTok: @selfmademisfitsFacebook: Self Made MisfitsTwitter:      @SMMisfitsPodFor topic ideas or interview requests, email us at selfmademisfitspodcast@gmail.comTo view more of Matt & Dynae’s personal work visit:@dynaelevingston on IG@matthewlevingston.vo on IG@bucketsnboards on IG

Want to join in the conversations? Connect with us on social media!Instagram: @selfmademisfitsTikTok: @selfmademisfitsFacebook: Self Made MisfitsTwitter:      @SMMisfitsPodFor topic ideas or interview requests, email us at selfmademisfitspodcast@gmail.comTo view more of Matt & Dynae’s personal work visit:@dynaelevingston on IG@matthewlevingston.vo on IG@bucketsnboards on IGwww.bucketsnboards.comwww.matthewlevingston.comwww.dynaelevingston.com

Follow and become part of the Misfits Community at:Instagram: @selfmademisfitsFacebook: Self Made Misfits PodcastTwitter: @SMMisfitsPod

We are trying something new this week on the podcast!! We LOOOOOVE movies and thought we would jump into the review world. Let us know what you think!!

Want to join in the conversations? Connect with us on social media!Instagram: @couplethoughtspodcastFacebook: Couple Thoughts Podcast with Matt and DynaeTwitter:      @CoThoughtsPodTo view more of Matt & Dynae’s personal work visit:www.bucketsnboards.comwww.matthewlevingston.comwww.dynaelevingston.com

For more information on the ROLEmodels program itself check out: www.dynaelevingston.com/dlprolemodelsIf you’d like to book a photo session with Dynae check out her website and feel free to contact her: www.dynaelevingston.com

For more information on the ROLEmodels program itself check out: www.dynaelevingston.com/dlprolemodelsIf you’d like to book a photo session with Dynae check out her website and feel free to contact her: www.dynaelevingston.com

For more information on the ROLEmodels program itself check out: www.dynaelevingston.com/dlprolemodelsIf you’d like to book a photo session with Dynae check out her website and feel free to contact her: www.dynaelevingston.com

Tips on Hiring a photographerDynae has been a professional photographer for about 10 years now, AND we’ve hired several photographers ourselves in the past. So we’ve got some insider info from a pro, as well as tips for hiring one for your family or business needs.Make sure they have a strong portfolio in the genre you’re hiring them for. Oftentimes photographers have a specialty. Depending on what you’re wanting and willing to invest, you should be able to find someone that fits.Double check that their work is really theirs. There is an unfortunate problem in the photography industry of new or inexperienced photographers marketing with images that are not theirs. This is not only unethical, but also illegal. Nonetheless, it happens. This is where reviews and a strong portfolio/professional website can give you a clue. If their facebook ad image quality doesn’t match up to the portfolio they share, or they just send you to a Pinterest board… keep looking.Ask if they are insured. Most venues require it, but a true professional should always carry liability insurance no matter where you do your sessions. Yes, even that field out on the side of the road. If anyone is injured on a session, they are liable for any damages being the professional.Hire one that uses the editing style you prefer. A photographer’s editing style is very personal to their artwork, and it’s what they are known for and good at. If you hire someone with moody portfolio, don’t ask them to edit your photos in a light and airy style. UNLESS you’ve hired them for a commercial project and you have that in the agreement.Make sure you’re getting the correct usage licenses for your needs. This is where portrait and commercial photographers differ. Some do both, some are not as experienced with commercial legality. Portrait photographers often retain copyrights, and limit your ability to edit the images. If you need to use images for a commercial purpose, you need to make sure in writing that you have the permission to use them in the ways that you need. Expect the price you pay to go up the more usage rights you include.Budget. You get what you pay for in photography. You have to ask yourself how much you value what you’re getting, and that the photographer actually offers what you want and need.You vibe well with them. I love meeting clients ahead of time because you just get better images when you feel comfortable with your photographer. Being able to just be yourself, and feeling confident that they can make YOU feel confident in the way you look in the images, makes a huge difference in how the photos turn out.

23. How to Recession Proof Your Small Business: An Interview with financial coach Kristen RicuperoLet’s just face it… not many of us were prepared for much of what 2020 threw at us. Mentally, emotionally, or financially. As small business owners ourselves who always thought we were prepared for the ups and downs of running a business, like many we found ourselves in a new and uncomfortable spot. You can be prepared, but what do you do when outside forces tell you your business isn’t essential? You have to shut down for 6 months, maybe more?2020 has taught us how essential having emergency funds are, and the need to be prepared for financial strain and Recessions when they happen. Kristen Ricupero is a financial and business coach just outside Pittsburg, PA and is a small business owner herself. She manages financialfitnesscoaching.com and helps small business owners maximize their profits, master their cash flow and build confidence with money.Questions for Kristen:Tell us a little about your story, how did you end up being a financial coach?Why do you think so many small business owners (or people in general) have such a hard time with financial literacy in the first place?Let’s say someone needs to make a change, and is just getting started with getting their finances in order, what’s the first thing they should do?What are your top 3 tips in Recession proofing your business?

New Year, New Outlook. Get ready to reset with 2021!Matt & Dynae are back after a couple weeks off to chat about what they did over the holidays and what they have in store for the new year. After the suck of 2020 hopefully everyone can all agree we hope to see the light at the end of the tunnel soon! This episode, they went off script, and talk a little bit about everything from binge watching favorites to what 2020 taught them, and how they’d like to reset and adapt this year. Lots of new topics and interviews coming your way for 2021!

This week we discuss marriage... what we thought vs what we have learned. Man do we laugh a lot in this episode! LOL

18. Pricing for Profit | How not to sell yourself short when running a creative businessIt’s that time of year again! Dynae is reviewing her profit/loss + pricing for the year and making adjustments during the off season. And as creative business owners, pricing is always the hardest part of the job.For some reason, creatives especially sell ourselves short. We don’t think people will pay for us to have a living wage. The term “starving artists” is a stereotype we do to ourselves.Starting out:Most creatives, especially photographer’s don’t know where to startMany feel like their art is a “side gig” or is perceived as a hobbySo they don’t treat it like a business, they treat it like a hobbyDon’t take into account all their expensesDon’t account for their timeDon’t price themselves for a living wageDangers of not pricing for profit?You need to price for the worst to happen - meaning you can’t price like you’re relying on your spouse’s income. What if the worst happens?You will burn out big time - overworked and underpaidHow to Price for profitRun your numbers - you must sit down and figure out your Cost of Doing Business, but also, your monthly lifestyle expenses. You’re going to have to cover both and make profit on top of it.Get over the guilt - don’t be afraid to price yourself what you are worth. You ARE worth it to the right clients (your target audience)Build a strong brand - perception is everythingMarket to your target audience, and let the rest fall awayDynae now offers mentoring to fellow creatives and photographers on how to not only price themselves correctly, but also how to create a strong brand image that will attract the clients that will appreciate you and your work.

Gratitude + Thankfulness: What 2020 has taught usThanksgiving is this week, and it looks different this year. Because everything looks different this year.One thing that stays the same is reflecting on what we’re thankful for. Because practicing gratitude not only lowers stress, but grounds you and reminds you what’s important.How things are different - social distancingHow things are the same - lots of food - teaching how to cookWhat we’re making, favorite dishesWhat are we thankful for this year?HealthTime together, slowing downPerspective - every generation goes through really hard times, and get through itPeople showing their true colors. We value authenticity, and even though it’s really sad in some instances it’s showed us who’s toxic 

17. The Pet Peeve EpisodeAs a coupleMatt hates when Dynae doesn’t change the toilet paper roll. And when I interruptDynae hates when Matt has a task but gets distracted and goes to something else instead. When he starts noodling whenever I try to talkParenting pet peevesYelling. We both have had our “season” with this, so we try to keep each other in check nowOur kids are so into semanticsThe neverending storiesThe new slangPersonal pet peevesDynae: Hates when people don’t listen. When people try to take credit for someone else’s work. Close talkers/no personal spaceMatt: Being late. Lack of empathy. Talking during movies. Pet Poops