Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Martin Bentsen, founder of City Headshots, located in New York City, NY, USA.

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

I run a headshot and video production business, which helps actors put together their marketing materials and helps business owners and employees get professional photos for LinkedIn and website use. I also work as a consultant to help actors get more auditions for high-quality productions. I teach them how to market and position themselves properly, so they start seeing more and more opportunities to grow their career.

Tell us about yourself

I've always been involved in the film industry and went to NYU for directing. Years ago, while I was still in college, some friends of mine asked me if I could take headshots for them, and it was then that I decided to build a business around that. Slowly my company grew and morphed, and now we offer a wide range of services to actors and business professionals alike. I am motivated because I LOVE seeing people's careers improve after having the opportunity to work with them.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been learning how to effectively manage a team of people. Going from an "army of one" to hiring my first person was a HUGE and scary step to take, not only because of the costs associated with having a full-time employee but also because, in my mind, at the time, I thought, "Who would ever want to work for me? Am I good enough?" But slowly, over the past ten years, I learned a ton, and now my team members tell me how much they love working at my company. It makes me feel so good to know that I was able to create an environment where people love to work in.

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

To me, the hardest thing about being a business owner is to be able to mentally wrap my head around the idea that things NEED to go wrong and time NEEDS to be wasted in order to be able to move the business forward. I always felt like if I spent time doing the wrong thing, and I'd be wasting it and not moving my business forward. I always thought that other entrepreneurs knew something I didn't and that I was a failure whenever I'd take a wrong step and waste time or money on something that didn't pan out. Well, by now, I realize that it's just part of the game, and even though it's hard to accept that, I do. I don't mind spending weeks or months focused on something that turns out to be wrong because I realize that that's the only way to figure out what will eventually be "right."

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

My three tips for people thinking of starting a business would be:

  1. Do your research BEFORE diving in. Speak to people and ask them if they'd really be willing to buy your product or service before you actually spend a ton of time creating it, designing a website, etc. It's much more economical to go directly to people and offer it for a low price to see whether they'd be willing to pay for it first. You can save yourself TONS of wasted time by doing this little "insurance check."
  2. Invest in yourself. Read business books and study marketing and strategy if you want to be successful. If you don't, you'll constantly find yourself charging bottom-of-the-barrel prices and wondering why it's so difficult to get customers. You MUST understand marketing if you want success – knowing how to perform your service is only half the battle.
  3. Slow down. Most things worth doing will take at minimum 3-6 months to do well. Do NOT jump from thing to thing (called "shiny object syndrome") every few weeks, or you'll never be able to grow your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.cityheadshots.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cityheadshots
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityheadshots/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjbhomeent

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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