Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Megan McCormick, photographer, and owner of McCormick Photography, located in Guelph, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business is McCormick Photography! We specialize in wedding photography, but we also photograph families, boudoir, and engagements! Our clients are people that value timeless artwork imagery of their most precious life moments.
Tell us about yourself
Photography has been my passion since I was a little kid. I became obsessed with taking pictures of people since I was in grade 3, and I knew that this was my path from the beginning. The way I view life is in still moments. I can freeze a moment in time in my mind and capture it to bring it to life in a magical way. I love learning about people and their love story/journey, whether that be they're engaged and planning their future, the love between a family, or the self-love exploration of boudoir photography. It motivates me every day to know I have the skill to create these memories for so many people.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have many accomplishments as a business owner, such as being nominated for the Best Emerging Business of 2016, with making the 40 Under 40 list of 2016, but one of my biggest accomplishments since staying driven and motivated all the years with all the trials and tribulations of being self-employed. Making it through COVID was a victory in itself!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Work/Life balance. Being an entrepreneur means making many sacrifices in order to succeed, but there is a blurry line between being professionally successful and maintaining your mental health. It has been by far the hardest yet most important lesson to learn to be successful truly. You must have balance in your life and know your priorities/values/morals. Stay true to that to reach your true potential.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a mission statement and stay true to that every day. This goes back to your last question. You must have stick to your core principles and values, so you don't burn out or sell out.
- Have a backup plan or be open to pivoting. The world is unpredictable, and we can all attest to that, so be open-minded and prepared for change.
- You have people in your corner to support you. In order to be truly successful, you must adapt to the notion that "Interdependent" is far more valuable than trying to do everything on your own. A lot of people live in the mentality that being "independent" is the true definition of success, and that is far from the truth.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Never forget your "why," and this comes back to your mission statement. If you get up every day and repeat your mission statement to yourself, you will always remember what you are fighting for even through the tough times!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.mccormickphotography.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McCormickPhotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccormickphotography/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-mccormick-26247841/
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.