Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Meg McMillan, Owner of Meg Marie Photography, located in San Diego, CA, USA.

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

Meg Marie Photography has served over 300 female founders and entrepreneurs to unlock confidence on camera and grow their business through authentic brand photography. I also am a business coach for photographers and service-based brands.

Tell us about yourself

It’s been a journey to discover my passion. I’ve had 27 jobs, I quit college, and my first business failed. It wasn’t until I decided to move to Taiwan to teach English and travel the world that I discovered my passion for photography. After my adventures abroad, I came home and dove in heart first to building a brand photography business. Now I have a multi-six-figure business as a brand photographer and business coach. I love empowering women, especially moms, to feel confident AF on and off the camera. What motivates me is seeing women step into their power and turn their dreams into their real life. My family also motivates me and leaves a legacy. I want to set an example for my kids that anything they want is possible with dedication and belief in themselves.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I grew my business to multiple six figures while raising two kids under two years old! I’m very proud of this because, at one point, I had the belief that I could not have everything I desired all at once. But I know now that is BS. Becoming a mom has helped me to step more into my own leadership and create more growth in all areas of my life.

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

The roller coaster of emotions is challenging and something you just get used to as an entrepreneur. You don’t know when you sign up to be a business owner how much mindset work you have to do on yourself to keep growing. Mental health becomes even more important as a business owner and investing in yourself. We need community and support. I don’t know a successful business owner who is really thriving and doing it all on their own.

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

  1. Get support, whether from a business coach, a community of like-minded women, a team to help you grow, a nanny for your kids, or all of the above! And I wish I had embraced support and growing my team sooner in my entrepreneurial journey.
  2. Embrace your leadership and invest time daily here. I thought I wanted to keep my business small and resisted my own growth for a while. But the truth is that when you sign up to be a business owner, you are also signing up to be a leader. You are a leader if you’re reading this right now. Invest time into growing your leadership skills every single week and day and your business.
  3. Break up with perfectionism and expect failure. Really successful business owners get there by failing faster than everyone else. It’s not a matter of you will fail, it’s a matter of when. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back from launching and putting yourself out there today. Perfectionism can be the death of your genius and really hold you back from getting where you want to be faster. As soon as I started forgiving myself quickly for my flaws, I saw the results faster. Every business owner and great leader still makes mistakes often. Take action, get feedback, learn lessons, pivot, and keep moving forward each day toward your desires! You got this!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://megmariephoto.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meg_marie_photo/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.