Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Todd Cremeans, Owner of Todd Cremeans Photography, located in Frankfort, KY, USA.

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

I own a photography business that focuses on Personal and Commercial brands.

Tell us about yourself

My story is a bit different. Before photography was ever a thought, I was a chiropractor and owned my own clinic. During that time, I wore several hats. One of them was learning how to market myself. From that, I learned graphic design, web design, videography, and video editing out of necessity to keep my expenses low. While learning those skills, I discovered I loved creating videos and editing. After selling my practice, I retired from chiropractic and focused my attention on digital media. As I continued learning, I discovered photography. With that, I found my passion. I fell in love with photography and editing photos. My motivation from day to day comes from the desire to be creative. I'm constantly learning new techniques to better myself.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is narrowing down what type of photography I want to concentrate on.

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

One of the hardest things for me that comes with being a business owner is balancing family time and business time.

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

Starting a business:

  1. Conduct thorough market research: Before starting any business, it is crucial to understand the market and its trends. Conduct market research to identify the target audience, competitors, and their strategies. Knowing these details will help you create a unique selling proposition, a marketing plan, and a competitive pricing strategy.
  2. Create a solid business plan: A business plan acts as a roadmap for your business. It outlines your goals, objectives, strategies, financial projections, and other critical elements of your business. A well-written business plan will help you secure funding, identify potential challenges and opportunities, and provide you with a roadmap to measure your progress.
  3. Focus on building a strong team: Building a successful business requires a team of dedicated and talented professionals. Hire individuals who share your vision and values and possess the necessary skills and expertise to drive your business forward. Encourage open communication and collaboration, provide your team with the necessary resources and support, and recognize and reward their contributions.

Running and Growing a Business:

  1. Prioritize customer satisfaction: Customer satisfaction should be at the core of every business. Establish processes to gather feedback, address customer concerns, and continuously improve the quality of your products or services. Happy customers are likely to refer new business to you, which can help you grow your business.
  2. Continuously innovate: In today's fast-paced business environment, it is essential to stay ahead of the competition by continuously innovating. Keep a pulse on market trends, invest in research and development, and explore new products or services that align with your business goals. Innovation can help you differentiate your business from your competitors, attract new customers, and grow your revenue.
  3. Monitor your financials: As a business owner, it is critical to keep track of your financials to ensure that your business is profitable and sustainable. Regularly review your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement to identify areas of improvement and make informed business decisions. Additionally, consider investing in accounting software or hiring a professional accountant to help you manage your finances and minimize the risk of financial errors.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.toddcremeans.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrToddCremeans/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddcremeans/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/toddcremeans

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.