Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bobbi Jo Brooks, Founder of Bobbi Jo Brooks Fine Art & Photography, LLC., located in Dalton, GA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a Lifestyle Portrait, Personal Branding, and Event Photographer for entrepreneurs, creatives, and moms. My customers prioritize time with your kids over things, preferring to roll in the grass, play hide and seek, spend extra moments in a hug, and play princess for a day. You want to raise strong humans who love as fiercely as you do. Your home emanates love, and you don't sweat marks on the walls or fingerprinted windows. Your favorite things are cooking together, storytime, game nights, and sofa snuggles. You value family time and know the ache of wanting to stop time to keep them just the way they are right here, right now. And that's what the power of the photograph does for you. But also, my customers are entrepreneurs and creatives who have or are building a strong, purposeful small business.

Tell us about yourself

My purpose story stems from my first international trip to Romania in 1999, where I encountered warm and beautiful people living in an enchanting old city. The city was far from perfect, but the people showed me the importance of slowing down, sitting around a carefully curated table with home-cooked meals, and enjoying lingering conversations and curiosity about the other person at the table. This visit and experience exposed me to numerous hard-working and generous women who made the most of everything they had and invited me into their homes, lives, and family. But they invite you in with intentionality and desire to know and honor you. Their tables were prepared with love, detail, fresh flowers from their gardens, and displays of family heirlooms (table cloths, vases, china upon the table, etc.). My trip also opened my eyes to the world beyond what I knew; it helped me see beautiful people and places I had never seen. It exposed me to artisan traditions that date back generations, crafts handed down from generation to generation. The visit also taught me the purpose and value of using what you have and being creative to find solutions and opportunities to reuse. It was an experience that became the launching pad for my life's direction, passion, and work, seeking to beautify and preserve memories through photography. I am also really motivated to support and see other female-owned businesses grow and thrive!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment would be leaving my non-profit job getting 17 years and finally stepping out into running my business full time rather than as a side hustle. Next to that, I would say having shot work in not only in the USA but Europe and Asia.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

You are everything; you have to build the business, market, content, create, budget, take the trash out as well as find the help and support you need; there is no one else to do that for you.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Find a mentor or hire a coach.
  2. Do ask for help sooner rather than later, and build a community of like-minded people to support and to support you.
  3. Be sure you have a financial cushion to fall back onto until your business is stable.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don't be afford to go for it, but know it is a lot of work with ups and downs every day.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.bobbijobrooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobbijobrooksstudio/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbi.jo.brooks.photo/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbi-jo-brooks-tom-bb3158222/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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