Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey by launching a photography business but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tanya Smith of Tanya Smith Portraits and Profitable Portraits, located in Ontario Canada.
What's your business and who are your customers?
I am a women's portrait photographer and a business coach for photographers.I specialize in boudoir and empowering everyday women to feel like supermodels.
I also teach photographers all over the world how to price and market their portrait business to grow their studio to 6+figures and beyond.
Tell us about yourself
I wanted to become a boudoir photographer after I had my own boudoir shoot after getting separated from my husband of 17 years. I loved how it made me feel and decided that is what I wanted to do for other women.
My ex and even my divorce lawyer told me I needed to get a real job, and that "no one in photography makes any money". Now I have a studio that brings in mid-6 figures in sales and only shooting 4-6 times per month.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Honestly- doing it. pushing through when things got hard...when I thought I couldn't do it. Making money and killing it in my business. navigating the ups and downs, and learning from my mistakes... and seeing students change THEIR business from what I teach them, is mind-blowing to me.
I am extremely proud of myself!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The loneliness. Wondering if you are doing it right, not having someone to "double check" things... knowing it's all up to me...sometimes it's overwhelming.
What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Keep moving forward... sometimes it's slow and un-rewarding, and sometimes it's downright HARD, but if you keep doing something every day.. your business will grow.
2. Learn from people who are ahead of you! Get a mentor, buy that course... don't waste time trying to figure it all out yourself and duct-taping bits and pieces together.
3. Do the hard things. The majority of people WON'T do the difficult things...or will stop when it gets hard. you can do hard things (I tell my kids that all the time).
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I think making a business work, especially in the overwhelming years at the beginning, is something that really helped me learn a lot about myself... as a business person AND as a human. I have more respect for ME.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.profitableportraits.com
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.