About Cole
On one hand, my story seems completely crazy... on the other, it makes perfect sense:
- Corporate finance grad decided to become a wedding photographer but didn't even own a camera.
- Buys a camera and books to learn and becomes a photographer.
- Starts online photography "blog"
- Juggles full time "corporate" job and wedding photo business while growing photography blog.
- Rapidly scales photography blog from low 6 figures to mid 7 figures a year (with tiny team & big profits)
- Sells company to a photography software company
- Now advises other online entrepreneurs on how to rapidly scale their business revenues without sacrificing profit or lifestyle
So how did I do it?
I decided that I was meant to do more & there was more to life than just clocking in and out at a “safe” job.
“I am going to quit”
But, as soon as I declared my plan I was quickly met with the concern from my parents.
“But what about the benefits?” – Mom
“I’ll buy medical insurance myself” – Me
“I just wonder how many newborn photographers are out there…” – Dad
“Enough, it’s a big world out there” – Me
Thinking back to that moment now makes me realize how many people still believe that the “safe” route in life is the best route in life.
It’s pretty crazy when I look back to see how it all happened. In some ways it feels like an eternity and on the other hand, it seems like just yesterday that I made the decision to put myself in charge of my future.
8 years later with over $13M in sales, 100s of thousands of customers and selling my entire business, I am beyond thankful for not letting fear stop me from doing what I knew I was meant to do.
Help people.
A lot of people ask me what the key is to my success.
Which always makes me chuckle because, trust me, there wasn’t much “overnight success” about it.
I always answer the same way.
I obsessed over data rather than perfection.
In addition, I took rapid action and then got access to the right people who could guide me and give me answers anytime I got stuck.
…and that is the only real “shortcut” to success.
You need ALL 3 of these things
- The Right Strategy & Planning for Your Business
- Rapid Action, Implementation & Measuring the Data
- Access to Mentors
I created the Rapid Scale System because
- Even after selling my company I still wake up and live and breathe online business!
- The ultimate impact I can have is helping change others lives by helping them grow their businesses.
- I know how much potential people have that simply need guided help.
If you are currently selling digital products online & want to have me as your mentor make sure to click here to learn more about the Rapid Scale System.
Timeline & Milestones
1st YouTube video
Launched 1st course - The Newborn Photography Workshop
Crossed $100K in sales from organic sales & a handful of digital products
Attended Traffic & Conversion Summit and committed to learning paid advertising & how to convert strangers to customers
Quit our corporate jobs!
1st $100K in sales month
$1,500,000 in sales for the year
Launched our photography membership site “Cole’s Clique”
After 4 long years trying to get pregnant, IVF worked!
$3,000,000 in sales for the year
New Cole’s Classroom Website Launched
Crossed $100,000 of MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) in membership.
Welcomed Lacey to our family!
Reached $380,000 of monthly recurring revenue in membership
“We’d be interested in acquiring you”
- Colin Breece, Co-Founder of ShootProof
Over $4M in sales!
Hit 10,000 members in membership
Invited back to speak at Traffic & Conversion Summit
Successful exit of Cole’s Classroom, acquired by ShootProof https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190814005453/en/ShootProof-Announces-Acquisition-of-Coles-Classroom
Fell in love with fishing again & went almost weekly with my recently retired Dad & semi-retired self 🙂
Welcomed our 2nd baby girl (Taylor) to the family!
