Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Megan Maundrell, founder of Megan Maundrell Photography, located in North Saanich, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We're a Photo and Video team who are trained to not only take great photos but also in how to give you direction without posing. Our goal is to take the weight off of your shoulders during the session and just focus on having a lot of fun. Our customers are couples who are a little camera shy but wish that their personalities could shine through in photos. They're wildly in love, a little quirky, and a whole lot of fun!
Tell us about yourself
I'm a photographer, podcaster, and hella big dreamer. I treat my cats like gods (who wouldn't?) and would rather skate (ice or roller) than walk.
What started as a "Hey cool, you should start a business out of that" to a friend who was into photography turned into a nationwide, love-obsessed team. We make it our mission to bring the weird and fun and make you feel completely at ease during your wedding.
It became apparent that there were a few things broken in the way that many photographers ran their business - they almost always treated it like a hobby. I don't know about you, but I want MORE than a hobby-level service when hiring professionals. My day to day goal is to treat every client like my only client - having a gallery turnaround time of under five weeks, never taking longer than 72 hours to respond to a concern, and infusing a personal touch wherever possible so that they know that they're taken care of and appreciated.
Nothing fuels my day like client care. Whether I'm creating a process, getting on the phone with a couple, or giving my clients an inside peek at their gallery being edited, none of it feels like "work."
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment would be creating a team and system that allows me to have the honor of being a part of so many couples' biggest moments. It's really something that I will never take for granted. It's about more than just fulfilling orders for me; it's about the people I meet and get to create memories with - and that's how I believe all vendors that deal with big life events should treat it, too!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I'd say that the hardest thing to deal with as a business owner is yourself. Whether you have imposter syndrome, compare yourself to others but have too much on your plate, have trouble being self integral, or have trouble with leadership. Coming up against yourself and your own self-imposed limitations is the biggest, and only real battle, in my opinion.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Focus on your relationship with yourself and your limiting beliefs. Your business is a direct reflection of you. You're the only one who can stop you, and sometimes your brain will try to do it in tricky ways!
- Invest in coaches and mentors who can help you get where you want to go faster.
- Don't be afraid of failure. It's part of the journey, and the faster you can get comfortable with that, the faster you will grow!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
People will impose their own insecurities and limiting beliefs on you when you try to start and grow a business. Find your people who will encourage you, be a sounding board, and hold you accountable. Honor the others, but don't follow through on their opinions.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://meganmaundrellphotography.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeganMaundrellPhotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganmaundrell_photography/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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