Episode Details

In this episode of Plan Like a Boss, Tonya Lawson sits down with Lesle Lane, CEO of Studio 13, to talk about what it really takes to scale a creative business without burning out.

Lesle is a third-generation photographer who stepped into her family business at a young age and quickly found herself navigating major industry disruption, including the transition from film to digital photography. She shares the story behind investing $200,000 in her first digital camera, modernizing a generational business, and eventually moving from an exhausting solopreneur model to a more flexible team of independent contractors.

You’ll hear how Lesle built systems and standard operating procedures, delegated administrative work, and created more space to think strategically about the future of her company. She also explains why 1099 contractors helped her business scale more efficiently, how asking for feedback strengthened her sales process, and why relationships and warm introductions can be more powerful than cold outreach.

Lesle also shares lessons from her years as a competitive ice skater, including discipline, resilience, handling rejection, and learning to seek constructive criticism instead of avoiding it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to scale a creative business without doing everything yourself
• Why systems and delegation can reduce burnout
• How independent contractors can create more flexibility
• Why feedback is essential for improving your sales process
• How mentors and allies outside your industry can help you make better decisions
• Why relationships matter more than transactions
• How stepping away from technology can create space for better strategic thinking

Lesle’s challenge for small business owners is simple: take 30 minutes without technological input. Go for a walk, meditate, practice yoga, or simply give yourself quiet space to think. When you create room for original thought, you create room to lead your business instead of only reacting to it.

Connect with Lesle Lane and Studio 13:
https://www.studio13online.com/contact/

Subscribe to Plan Like a Boss wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs more space, better systems, and a smarter way to grow.

Let's Connect:

✨ Get your free Idea to Income Workbook: https://thesecondactentrepreneur.com/business-idea-validation-workbook

✍️ Sign up for my newsletter: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/WZgVVwhJm3moIYAP6V5i

📸 Follow me on Insta and TikTok @dr.tonyalawson

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-lawson-64779739/