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When I posted for the new year, the top goals I wanted to achieve in 2010, one was to establish some sort of real work schedule. I often can sit in my office, in front of the computer for hours on end. But, then I question myself as to how much am I really dedicating to work and how much am I wasting farting around with surfing, social media, and silly emails? I really have not been responsible about holding myself accountable. It’s the 3rd week of January and it’s time to consider making this a reality.
I thought that by posting some of these challenges I face, as a business owner, on my blog, that people struggling in the same capacity could maybe help or learn from my mistakes. I know that nothing ever has to be set in stone, and that I can change these things, but for me, I need to get some structure.
I’ve been in business since June of 2005. As a little background for those that don’t know…I started my LLC when I was still working full time. Over the years, I also sold products digitally to scrapbookers online as well as did custom design work for scrapbooking companies and other individuals. I no longer do these as of last year. I eventually went to work part time while trying to build my business and soon full time. If I can remember right, it was in 2007 that I broke free, completely on my own. I have also done everything in my power to start and run my business based on money I have and very little using credit cards. No loans at all. My process is slow and I actually feel really good that I could do this. I still sell digital products online through my website, PinkInkStudios.com but for professional photographers – and no custom design work.
Over these years, it’s been easy to just let things run as you have time set aside for them. Or, remember you have to do something and get right back out of bed to complete a task. I know that I can’t survive, or grow my business this way.
I know that I need to plan two days per week off on my schedule, every single week. NO work! None. This is probably the hardest part. In the past, I’ve always said I’m closed Sundays and Mondays. But, last night I was editing images and today I’m here on the computer catching up on emails, requests, paperwork, accounting, etc. I have to remind myself that everyone else gets at least two days off so I deserve this too. If you don’t, you burn out.
If I put it in motion that I AM off those days, I need to be better at sticking to it. I know that I’ll be more successful when I actually set up the office at my studio, and not in my home. Separating the two will be the best thing for me. I just don’t have that sort of control that some people have. It’s too easy to just go back into the office, sit down, and get lost in work, or whatever else.
The next step that I have to seriously consider is my work hours and the days we’re open for business. I’m a one-woman show right now with help from my mom and my assistant on a part time, as-needed basis. Reading up in popular industry magazines about how streamlining, choosing your shooting focus, etc. will help you to work smarter, not harder. You shouldn’t over-staff, you shouldn’t shoot every job that comes to you, and you should never negotiate prices. These are things that have taken me nearly five years to learn. I hope that in the coming weeks, I can really analyze what will work for me, try it and then adjust.
Wish me luck on this journey. It’s never easy, but I enjoy a good challenge for myself!
And, because I don’t like posts without images! Just a shot of one of Tammy Tutterow’s upcoming classes that we photographed last week!
It’s a new year, and the opportunity to start something fresh. In the photography business, it’s slower, and we just came out of the big rush that is the holiday season. Phew!
It’s 2010. Rather than having a new years resolution, or a bazillion of them, that I can’t keep, I figured a list of goals to achieve was a better solution for me. I’ve seen the 100 things to do before I die list, but that’s way more than I can even begin to think about doing. This year, I have to scale back a little in spending, but also have to grow my business. I swear, it’s become my life. But, some of these things will help me to achieve that little bit more of freedom in the years to come. So, I am looking more so at the bigger picture. I hope that I can do these things. I mean, it’s just 14 things. Right?
These are big things and I’m going to do all that I can to accomplish them.
A picture, because I hate posts without them:
I think I love being around seniors so much is because they are silly and we laugh a lot. Sorting through Allie’s photos last night, I had forgot this picture of her and Cady. I love my job.
So, I have been getting asked a lot of questions about my business, processing, etc. And, I was thinking of setting up a mentoring program for those that don’t live in STL and want to be able to have some time with me to talk about what I do and how I might be able to offer advice to them. I’m totally in the planning phases; researching what I should charge and the length of a mentor program. Curious to know if anyone out there would be interested in this service from me. Obviously, you should know how to shoot your camera in manual already. It’s more for those interested in going into business for themselves and want to improve, or just ask me questions. Would probably be giving gift certificates to Pink Ink Studios for some of my stuff too as part of the package. Feel free to comment with your thoughts or even email me direct.
Mama always said…Yeah, in my Forest Gump voice…No, really. My mom always says to me, “you really do care about animals more than you do people.” Maybe I do. But, maybe it’s because they can’t speak for themselves. It breaks my heart when I see them suffering.
No, this isn’t a blog post about animal rights. Nor is it about my dogs. It’s a post to express that I really am grateful. Grateful for the people in my life. Sometimes, I don’t express that enough.
I’ve been dealt a lot of obstacles in life. My father died of cancer and not even two years later, my little sister was murdered. Ripped from our lives forever. We uprooted ourselves from our home in Georgia and relocated to St. Louis. My life changed and would change even more and I had no choice but to just go with it.
We struggled sometimes. We fought as a family, we loved as a family. We were never well off, but we weren’t poor. We got what we needed and we worked hard. My mom always did what she could to always make sure my brother had a normal life. I was pretty irresponsible as a young adult. I eventually grew up. But, I look back and wonder if I ever disappointed my parents for some of my decisions in life.
I’ve been through rough times with some pathetic relationships, money irresponsibility, and other bad decisions.
I wouldn’t have had it any other way though. Why you ask? Because it’s made me who I am today. I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons along life’s path. Nothing is easy. And if it is, then you aren’t working hard enough. You can’t appreciate your life when things are always that good.
This has been one of those times where the hard work is paying off. The people in my life make me feel so blessed. People I just met, people I’ve known for a long time, and I’m sure people I have yet to meet.
Being in business for yourself can be a huge struggle. I sit here with tears of joy because my life isn’t perfect. And, that’s okay. Things are going somewhere for me. I am without words when I try to describe how I feel.
But, I just wanted to get that out there to the universe. I wanted it to know that my cup is overflowing and I am grateful.
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Enough of that sappy stuff, here’s both Cady & Meagan’s Senior Slideshows in case you missed them on our FB page! Fan us!
