You started out working your creative business on nights and weekends, secretly hoping that someday your side hustle could support you full time. You’ve been burning the candle at both ends for a couple of years, and even though you are maxed out on time you can dedicate to helping clients, you aren’t at your income goal just yet. (But you totally can get there! Keep reading.)
You often come up with brilliant ideas that you can’t wait to launch…..until you scroll through Instagram and see literally hundreds of others who are already doing the same thing.
And suddenly, it seems impossible that you’ll ever have a business that stands out from the crowd, fills you up creatively, and supports your wildest dreams. Like making six figures working four days a week, serving your clients insanely well and still leaving your desk in time for preschool pick-up and taking a week off with your family and not looking at your laptop even once. (Ok, maybe once!)
But none of them is you.
And that’s your magic.
true, there are a lot of people in your industry.
If I’m giving you the girls-night-out over wine version:
I’m a photographer who went from busting her butt working nights and weekends to running a six-figure business that allows me all the time I need to have mid-day dance parties in the kitchen with my kids or kick back on the couch and watch The Office with my husband.
You may be wondering - how did I do it? The short answer? By showing up and being myself.
I believe more than anything that this is the best way to build an irresistible brand and that it’s totally possible for you to do the same thing.
If I’m giving you my elevator pitch, I’d tell you I’m a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, brand photographer and educator for creative women.
Hold the phone. Are you, like, stalking me or something? Only asking because your story sounds a LOT like mine!
I side-hustled and worked full-time for years before I was ready to leave my day job to focus only on my business. They weren’t kidding around when they said #weekendwarrior. It was never easy, but I learned so much from this time, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The first time I added a passive product, I talked myself out of it for months because there were others in my industry with larger followings already doing the same thing. I am so glad I went for it anyway! If someone else has similar services and products as you, the only thing that means is that there are people out there who want the product or service you have to offer! Go for it. No one is doing it like you can
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve pivoted in my business. I started as a newborn photographer, added family sessions, went all-in on shooting weddings, and now focus on brand photography and coaching for creatives. You are changing all the time! It only makes sense that your business evolves and grows with you. Don’t be afraid to go after what lights you up!
I am always working with my own coach and mastermind group. This is by far what has helped me get to this level in my business this quickly. Even more than showing me a clear path for financial growth, it’s given me the courage to trust myself and everything I’m capable of.
I’ve chased big income goals that left me feeling exhausted for months. And I’ve reached these same goals on my terms, working less than five days a week and being available to pick my babies up from school. Success does not have to be stressful, and it doesn’t have to come at the expense of your mental health or sanity. Rest. Give yourself permission to have plans in place so you can avoid a total burnout crash.
Want the more detailed story? Here are the cliff notes:
Grow a successful business that fits into your life and fills you with joy
Education & Coaching
A vault of images plus a digital strategy to make sharing a breeze.
Brand
Photography
If there’s one thing I know for sure after years of going through my own coaching and working with other creative women business owners, it’s this:
You don’t need to be “perfect” at something to be successful.
You don’t have to learn more or do more or work harder before you are “worthy” of raising your prices.
You don’t have to wait until you have a bigger following to diversify your income streams or add passive products.
There are people out there right now looking for what you do in the way only you can deliver it.
Exactly who you are today is all you need to make an impact.
The stuff you know, the things you get fired up about... that's your magic. And it's meant to be shared. Here's how I can help!
Tell me more!
Show me How!
Or something like that. Jeff and I met when I was 16 and he was 20, but I like to say we were high school sweethearts anyway. Fast forward thirteen+ years, and we’ve been married since 2013. We eventually added Simon (as in ‘says’), Veda (like My Girl), and most recently Ivy to our crew. Yup, life is pretty good!
While I used to be all about the night and weekend hustle (because #photographerlife), in recent years, I’ve traded weekends shooting weddings for Saturdays spent eating pancakes with the kids or enjoying a patio beer with my husband. Best trade there is if you ask me!
Boy meets girl. girl is way too young for boy. girl doesn’t care. and then they went mini-golfing.
When i’m not helping creative women build irresistible brands, you can find me hanging out with
The internet makes it seem like everyone has their shit together all the time, but that's just not the case. You're doing amazing, morning routine or not!
The number of times every week that I start my day with a productive morning routine. Instead, my mornings look like KID snuggles before 6 a.m., hitting snooze when my husband’s alarm goes off, and then fiiinnnally getting out of bed (kicking and screaming)
The number of years I side-hustled before I quit my day job and went full-time living my dream.
The average number of beverages on my desk at any given time. Coffee (hot or cold brew, depending on the time of year and my mood), water, and Key Lime La Croix...to name a few! I swear it helps my productivity!
The average number of brand images my clients walk away with after a personal branding session. (Enough for at least a quarter of content!) R.I.P. selfie sticks.
The number of times I met a bottle of wine I didn’t like. It was a cab that tasted like nail polish remover, and I don’t like talking about it.
The average number of months it takes my rebrand clients to crush a big goal pinned to their vision board without working themselves into burnout in the process. Cheers!
