Episode Summary: "Letting Go To Make Space for New Opportunities with Sabrina Gebhardt"

This episode of "This Can't Be That Hard," hosted by Annemie Tonken, delves into the transformative journey of Sabrina Gebhardt as she shares her experiences with letting go of established aspects of her business to create space for new, fulfilling opportunities. Released on June 10, 2025, this conversation offers valuable insights for photographers and entrepreneurs navigating similar crossroads.

1. Introduction to the Episode

Annemie Tonken opens the discussion by addressing a common challenge faced by many business owners: the struggle to let go of elements that once brought joy but no longer align with current values or aspirations. She introduces Sabrina Gebhardt, a seasoned photographer and educator, who recently made significant changes in her business model to better serve her needs and passions.

2. Sabrina Gebhardt’s Background

Sabrina Gebhardt is a multifaceted professional based in Fort Worth, Texas. With 14 years of experience as a lifestyle, newborn, and family photographer, she has expanded her expertise into education, podcasts, memberships, courses, and masterminds. Sabrina has been a frequent guest on Annemie’s podcast, bringing depth and authenticity to their conversations.

3. The Challenge of Letting Go

Sabrina recounts her journey in 2024, where she made the bold decision to relinquish three major components of her business:

1. A Persistently Unsuccessful Course: Despite having an excellent course with positive student feedback, Sabrina struggled to market it effectively, leading to stagnant sales.

2. Fall Mini Sessions: For 13 years, Sabrina held fall mini sessions effortlessly, but she began to feel an internal resistance to continue them.

3. Biannual Mastermind Groups: Initially a staple in her business structure, she opted to scale back her mastermind offerings to once a year.

These decisions stemmed from a realization that while these aspects were financially successful, they no longer resonated with her personal and professional fulfillment.

4. Letting Go of the Struggling Course

Sabrina discusses her first major letting go—the course that wasn’t performing despite her best efforts. She had invested time and resources into multiple launch strategies, including live webinars and advertising, which yielded high engagement but no sales.

Sabrina Gebhardt [07:14]: "I just trusted my intuition and last year was about seeing how that worked out and what happened when I followed through."

After consulting with her coach and experiencing frustration, she finally decided to retire the course. The immediate aftermath was surprisingly positive, as she quickly developed a new marketing course that surpassed the original in sales and impact.

Sabrina Gebhardt [12:42]: "The universe was like, I'm gonna reward you for trusting me."

This pivot reinforced the importance of listening to one’s intuition and the rewards that follow when you align your business with your true passions.

5. Letting Go of Fall Mini Sessions

For over a decade, Sabrina’s fall mini sessions were a reliable income stream. However, she found herself increasingly resistant to organizing them, feeling that they no longer fit her evolving business vision.

Sabrina Gebhardt [16:57]: "I just couldn't do it. I kept coming up with excuses or being distracted or whatever."

After reflecting with her coach, Sabrina decided to discontinue the mini sessions. To her relief, clients responded positively, expressing understanding and even increased interest in full sessions.

Sabrina Gebhardt [20:11]: "Within two days of sending that email, I had not only several responses... They were like, 'Okay, great. When can we get our full session on the books?'"

This experience demonstrated that letting go can lead to unexpected positive outcomes and greater alignment with both business and personal goals.

6. Letting Go of the Mastermind Group

The third and most challenging decision was to reduce the frequency of her mastermind groups. Historically held twice a year, Sabrina felt an intuitive pull to scale back, despite the significant revenue they generated.

Sabrina Gebhardt [22:00]: "I was feeling like there's something else that's coming. And unlike the last two decisions I made, this one was much more of a question mark."

Balancing practical considerations, such as her child’s senior year, with her intuitive sense, Sabrina chose to proceed with the reduction. Although uncertain about immediate replacements, she remained optimistic and open to future possibilities.

7. Insights on Letting Go and Intuitive Decision-Making

Throughout the conversation, both Annemie and Sabrina emphasize the power of intuition in making business decisions. Sabrina highlights how letting go not only freed her from unfulfilling tasks but also opened the door to innovative ideas and successful new ventures.

Sabrina Gebhardt [27:36]: "You can set them down and not do them, and you can always pick them back up later."

This approach underscores the importance of trusting one’s gut feelings and being willing to embrace change for long-term satisfaction and success.

8. Advice for Other Photographers and Entrepreneurs

Sabrina offers actionable advice for those contemplating similar decisions:

• Recognize and Acknowledge Internal Resistance: Understand when a part of your business is causing friction and no longer serves your purpose.

• Trust Your Intuition: Listen to your inner voice and don’t be afraid to make changes, even if they feel risky.

• Understand the Reversibility: Letting go doesn’t mean losing capabilities; you can always rebuild or reintroduce elements later.

• Align with Personal Joy and Values: Ensure that the core aspects of your business resonate with what truly makes you happy and fulfilled.

Sabrina Gebhardt [28:42]: "You have unique stirrings for a reason... If it's sticking with you, if it's intriguing to you, it's probably you're. You've got a version in there somewhere."

9. Embracing Change and Personal Growth

The discussion highlights that as creatives and entrepreneurs, interests and passions naturally evolve. Embracing these changes is crucial for avoiding burnout and maintaining a sense of purpose in one’s business.

Sabrina Gebhardt [32:13]: "We change. Our interests and the things that spark our creativity shift more rapidly than is convenient sometimes."

This mindset fosters continuous personal and professional growth, ensuring that the business remains dynamic and aligned with current aspirations.

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Annemie and Sabrina wrap up the conversation by reinforcing the episode’s central theme: the necessity of letting go to make room for new opportunities. They encourage listeners to assess their own businesses critically and embrace the courage to make necessary changes.

Sabrina Gebhardt [33:01]: "People get stuck in the rut of this is what I created. It's working. I have to keep doing it. And that is absolutely false."

Sabrina also promotes her various platforms, inviting listeners to connect and collaborate, emphasizing the supportive community that thrives on shared experiences and mutual growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Letting Go is Essential: Dropping elements that no longer serve your business can lead to greater fulfillment and unexpected successes.

• Trust Your Intuition: Intuitive decisions often lead to positive transformations and open new doors.

• Flexibility in Business: Being adaptable and willing to pivot ensures long-term sustainability and personal satisfaction.

• Alignment with Values: Ensuring that your business aligns with your core values and passions is crucial for avoiding burnout and maintaining enthusiasm.

Notable Quotes:

• "This course is now officially retired." — Sabrina Gebhardt [11:04]

• "You can set them down and not do them, and you can always pick them back up later." — Sabrina Gebhardt [27:36]

• "You have unique stirrings for a reason... If it's sticking with you, if it's intriguing to you, it's probably you have a version in there somewhere." — Sabrina Gebhardt [28:42]

Connect with Sabrina Gebhardt:

• Instagram: Sabrina Gebhart Photography

• Podcast Collaborations: Sabrina is open to collaborations and can be reached via her social platforms for partnerships and joint projects.

Tune in to this episode of "This Can't Be That Hard" to gain deeper insights into Sabrina Gebhardt’s journey of letting go and making space for new, exciting opportunities in her photography and education businesses.