Learning to Say ‘No’ and other Business Lessons with Kristin Ojaneimi

Posted on March 29, 2022

What are the hardest business conversations in your business? For my special guest, freelance videographer and filmmaker Kristin Ojaniemi, they’re how – and when – to say “no” as well as money discussions with clients. Same for me. Same for you? Listen in as Kristin and I discuss how to deal with those conversations you’d rather avoid…it’s good for business!

Along with all the benefits of having your own business, there come times when you have to say “no” to your customers and be clear about what their requests will cost. Not really comfortable conversations for any of us but, as your own boss, you have you to have them!
When you first start your own business, you don’t want to say “no”. You want to be all things for everyone. You feel worried you won’t have enough income and take every job you can get. Slow down. Saying “yes” to everything isn’t a good thing and it can leave you overwhelmed. As today’s guest, Kristin Ojaniemi, and I have learned: You can have those hard conversations while remaining clear and positive.
Kristin is a freelance videographer and filmmaker…and a proud Yooper! She first started out working full-time for WJFW-12 in Rhinelander, WI. Her job there wasn’t satisfying, and Kristin set out on her own, following her passion of visual storytelling. She currently creates marketing videos, commercials, documentaries, and tv programs.
Kristin can pick and choose her projects so that she doesn’t bite off more than she can chew. But it took a specific decision on her part to make that happen for her.
I’ve found that I need conversations about money up front with my clients. For some reason, there are still people who think anything done online should be free. Because it’s not tangible. But that’s not how it works.
Listen in as we talk about the successful strategies we’ve put in place to make those hard conversations easier. (And you’ll get to catch a little bit of buzz about my big product launch coming up, too!)