What inspired you to start your own business?

• In 2011 I started building my photography portfolio with the goal to leave my traditional full-time job for more flexibility with my new role as a mom. I started photographing babies, kids, maternity and marketed my services at a local family tradeshow. It was there at the show my husband and I was asked to shoot our first wedding together. With no experience in wedding photography, except for friends and family weddings, we booked two 2012 weddings. As a husband and wife duo, we made a great team, but he was unable to commit to my growing number of bookings. I continued to work part-time in a not-for-profit community centre and photographing family milestones, weddings, and second shooting for other professional photographers on weekends. In 2016 I had come to a fork in the road with my journey, a choice between a well-paved road or off-the-beaten-path. A decision to continue working in a traditional career or jump into the unknown. The entrepreneurship life was calling me and my goal of flexibility for my family was a clear option at that time.

What helped you when working with BACD and how did it impact you and your business?

• Coming in to meet with BACD encouraged me to take the leap of faith, that I could do this and be successful at it. I follow their Facebook posts which have been very helpful in keeping me abreast of entrepreneurial topics and helping augment my skills and knowledge.

Tell us about the growth of your business. How many employees, locations etc?

• For eight years, wedding photography satiated my soul. I planned my life a year in advance and waived weekends because I was committed to my art. When I realized I was missing precious moments with my own family while I was looking through the lens of everyone else’s lives, I knew I had to take pause and recognize the importance of making my own memories. My business made a huge pivot and I started focusing more on branding photography for businesses. I constantly get to enjoy working with other creatives such as stylists, designers and HMUA’s on my client’s projects.

What marketing strategies have been successful for you?

• Investing in a copywriter for my website and making sure my visuals match the aesthetic of my branding with creative photoshoots.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?

• You need to invest in yourself and know there is a good chance you will fail.While facing that truth and navigating the path ahead may seem daunting at first, based on my personal experience, here are some strategies you can use to successfully manage the transition…

  LEARN OUTSIDE YOUR INDUSTRY
  We find a sense of self-purpose when we learn something new and bridge a gap in our knowledge. Collecting different perspectives from individuals outside the photography industry can lead to exciting new discoveries and experimental strategies that you can incorporate into your own workflows, marketing efforts, and creative process. When we open our hearts and minds to the possibilities, they become more endless than we ever could have imagined.

  FOLLOW YOUR FEAR
  You will always find valid reasons for not wanting to venture beyond the comfort zone of your craft. You will face obstacles that feel insurmountable. Yes, taking a step without knowing what comes next can be daunting. Stretching your creativity can inspire fear. As creatures of habit, our brains reach for security nets and shy away from change. So start becoming mindful of your obstacles. Which obstacles do you need to remove? Do you need to value your skills more? Do you spend too much time on social media and bend your identity for your peers? How are these obstacles affecting you and what could you achieve if they no longer existed?

  FOSTER YOUR OWN COMMUNITY
  Now more than ever, you may feel disengaged from the social and networking circles you previously found a home in. Be open to fostering new relationships with those who share your values and creative vision. Be intentional about who you choose to gather with or which activities you commit your time and energy to. Build a mastermind or peer accountability group to give yourself the strategy and structure to create more success in your business and more meaning in your life. Gathering with like-minded people can inspire you to expand into your potential and stay grounded through this time of transition.

  HIRE PEOPLE WHO GIVE YOU ROOM TO GROW
  You are an artist, but you may not be as self-assured in other areas of your career or life. Hiring the right support people can inspire more confidence. Invest in a marketing manager, stylist, copywriter, website designer, or even a financial planner. The expertise of professionals can give you room to organically grow your artistry into another form.

Any additional comments or information you would like to share with the reader:

• I believe that cause-based businesses have the power to change the world by spreading awareness and inspiring thoughtful conversations around ethical consumerism. My hope is that by helping the changemakers expand their impact, I’ll be able to make a bigger difference, too.