Questions Answered in this Episode

• Where did I start on my journey to becoming an entrepreneur?
• “You have to do what you love and find a way to make a living doing it. Don’t just do what you’re expected to do.” LOVE that mom advice that sticks with you!!!
• What did my journey to entrepreneurship look like? Hint: it was messy!
• What happened when I made my way back to a creative life?

Show Notes

Let’s Start at the Very Beginning

I grew up in Durham, NC with my mom, dad, and older brother. My mom was a nurse, but for as long as I can remember, her passion was art. I was raised in her studio and when my mom quit her job full time to pursue art, she gave me a piece of advice: “You have to do what you love and find a way to make a living doing it. Don’t just do what you’re expected to do.”

That’s some great mom advice!

I always knew that I wanted to be my own boss, but I had no idea how to get there.

Making My Way Back to a Creative Life

And I didn’t take my mom’s advice for a long time. I was a graphic designer, a field hockey coach, and an art teacher before I became an entrepreneur!

At my bridal shower, I opened the gift from my mom and immediately burst into tears. It was a DSLR camera. I had no idea I was going to do anything with that camera, but it’s almost like I knew. I just started crying! After our wedding, I didn’t put the camera down. I took photographs for all of my family and friends for free. Anything and everything that I could take pictures of and learn, that’s what I was doing.

In 2013, I opened my business in January and shot my first wedding in March. I was so nervous, I didn’t even want to charge the bride and groom! I booked two more weddings that year and slowly grew, little by little. Two years later, I was able to quit teaching and work full time.

Our Lives Get to Look However We Want Them To: The Entrepreneur Life

I’m a passionate teacher at heart and I want to share what I’ve learned about this entrepreneur life with other women who are starting businesses or want to start businesses but don’t know where to begin.

Our lives get to look however we want them to. We are in control and it is ok for our path to be messy and windy and for us to be entrepreneurs, even if we don’t look like other entrepreneurs. I’m excited to share messy success with you guys!

Takeaways

The journey to creative entrepreneurship is never a straight line, so don’t compare your path to anyone else’s. Where are you in your journey? Where do you want to be in six months?  I’d love to hear!

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My mom gave me my first DSLR at my bridal shower and I was just a LITTLE overwhelmed.

The first couple that trusted me to capture their wedding after I opened my business in 2013. Aren’t they the cutest?

Field hockey was my first love and taught me so many skills that I use as an entrepreneur.