8 Things I've Learned in 8 Years of Business
1. Great people are everything
Clients, team, partners, community. The best days in my business are when I’m working on a shoot with clients who not only have a great product or service, but are kind, brilliant, hilarious, supportive humans. And, I get to collaborate and partner with an equally amazing and insanely talented team of people on set too, from stylists to makeup artists, videographers to assistants.
Great connection leads to great creative work. Plus, makes the entire process more fun for all.
2. Behind the scenes, no company Has it 100% TogetheR: embrace imperfection
Most creatives I know have dealt with some level of imposter syndrome. Like this Ira Glass quote, we all get into creative work because of great taste… but getting our own work to align with that level is forever a work in progress. Yet, consuming others polished launches or Instagram wins, we can easily trick ourselves into believing that everyone else has it together.
At this point I’ve been able to see behind the scenes in dozens if not hundreds of businesses of all sizes, from new solopreneurs to global brands. It’s been helpful and oddly comforting to see how, despite size, no one is 100% organized, streamlined or “perfect” in the way you might expect from the outside. Yet they’re still thriving, growing and making massive impact.
Let this be permission to embrace imperfection, and stop waiting to get started. Many of the most successful people I know are the fastest to take action, because they know that perfect isn’t an option.
3. The scariest risks and investments lead to the most growth
Every time I’ve taken a big risk or made a significant strategic investment, it’s led to more than I could have imagined, and more quickly too. It doesn’t make it any less scary, but each time I get a tiny bit faster at taking the leap, and a bit better at trusting the process along the way.
I’m making one of these big decisions this week, note to self: do it!
4. Think outside the box with coaches and mentors
The coaching industry is incredible, and also has become a bit overwhelming and oversaturated in recent years. I highly recommend getting coached and/or mentored, however it doesn’t need to be in any one shape or form. You don’t have to do the year long program or invest in that one leading industry pro. In fact, if anyone is saying there’s a right/wrong way to do something: RUN.
Some of my best coaching experiences have come from pros with businesses I admire, but are in completely different industries. It’s a been impactful to hear fresh perspectives and get business coaching that I can apply to my own work.
Within the photography industry, I’ve hired numerous photographers who aren’t coaches and don’t have mentorship offers. I reached out asked to hire (aka: pay) pros to dive into a specific skill they’ve mastered. For example someone who does stunning portrait lighting, another for their beautiful editing skills.
5. Embrace slow seasons.
Slow seasons are inevitable. With each year business, the more you can anticipate them, although sometimes they can sneak up on you. As you’ve probably heard before: this is the best time to work ON your business, instead of IN it. I’ve had slow seasons where I’ve been overwhelmed, stuck in stress and didn’t take much action (or: take much rest), which didn’t get me anywhere.
Amid the chaos in 2020, after an initial stressful period, I learned to lean into rest, plus upgraded my website, poured into SEO, dabbled in Pinterest and other areas of my business, and these are still serving me today.
6. HIT Pause ON work often
For my first few years in business, I was hustling hard. Saying yes to it all, working early mornings, evenings, weekends, taking on anything while figuring it out. While a season of a little extra hustle can *temporarily* work, it’s not sustainable long term. In recent years I’ve become better at building in boundaries… not working weekends or evenings, not responding to email outside of business hours and trying to more fully embrace the luxury of flexibility that comes with self-employment.
I now also let my clients and team in on why I’m taking time off for something personal or fun… a weekend with my 2-year-old niece, unplugging for my birthday, an exciting trip, my best friend’s wedding (or: I’m sick, moving, etc). And, I appreciate it when they do the same.
No need for oversharing, but by letting everyone in on a personal level it allows us all to support and celebrate each other.
7. Contracts Are your friend
The more I onboard vendors or partners, the more I continue to be surprised by how many people work without contracts.
Not having a contract isn’t helpful or supportive to anyone. There are situations out of your control that will 100% come up at some point. A contract is just a game plan two parties agree to, so you’re both equally protected and prepared for whatever comes up.
From cancellations to deliverables to licensing, it has everyone covered. Working with an attorney is ideal, but a great place to start is a customizable template, like those from Contract Shop or Freelance Shop.
8. Pursue nEW passions not related to work
Like I said, those first few years were hustle-heavy. And: I love nerding out on photography, entrepreneurship.
But year by year I’m taking more time to pause, unplug and pour into other hobbies and passions. Creative, movement, travel, community. I find this boosts not only my creativity, but the energy behind how I show up for myself and others in business.
For the one year anniversary of my business, I took a week to surf and do yoga in Costa Rica. A couple years later, I did a weekly culinary class series for six weeks. Amid the pandemic, I started tennis lessons and just this week I joined a book club with new friends in Colorado, which keeps fun fiction picks in rotation.
Each has made a positive impact on me personally, thus professionally too, because at the end of the day, it’s all connected.
Self-employed friends, what’s the #1 lesson you’ve learned in business? Comment below!