Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carley Storm, Founder of Carley Storm Branding Co., located in Bloomfield, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a brand photographer who works with small businesses to make their images on their sites and social media stand out, connect with their ideal clients and make them more successful business owners. I also own a studio in Verona, NJ, that I rent out for photoshoots, video productions, events, networking, workshops, parties- you name it! It's 1700sq feet set up with a ton of furniture, plants, and props to use however you need it.
Tell us about yourself
I was a dental hygienist in my first career and was always crazing something more creative. On my first maternity leave, my best friend asked me to take photos of her yoga business, and this big light bulb went off. If she needed photos on a random Tuesday, maybe other businesses needed photos for their businesses too? I wanted to find a way that I no longer had to commute and could make my own hours.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'm laughing because this made me tear up picking up my kids most days of the week. When I was commuting, I was taking the 6:15 am bus and then RUNNING every damn day to the bus to come home. Now, I am in charge of my schedule, and I noticed it's the number 1 reason my clients quit their jobs too- a dream they couldn't shake and flexibility.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's annoying things like 1. paying for printer ink and 2. being the one that has to fix the printer. Everything falls on you until you build a team, which I'm working on!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Niche down and find passive income opportunities. It sucks not getting a paycheck, but REAL fun getting paid while not working, like when someone pays their invoice while I'm hanging with my family or when someone is renting the studio, and therefore I get a day off.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://carleystorm.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/carley.storm.brandingco/
https://www.instagram.com/headshotbrandbar/
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.
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