Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Evan Kissner, Owner and Founder of Evan's Studio, located in Irvine, CA, USA.

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

My business is Evan's Studio, and my customers include stock photography purchasers and retail customers who buy my products on various online commerce sites like eBay.

Tell us about yourself

I am an entrepreneur and the founder of Evan's Studio, which I created 11 years ago. My passion for photography and finding beauty in the mundane got me started in this field. I have always been fascinated by how photography can tell a story and elicit emotion without the need for any words.

Since 2012 I have committed to producing creative and high-quality images for customers from around the world. I aim to generate value for my clients by helping them sell their products and services, differentiate their businesses, and attract readers to blogs and articles. Evan's Studio is based out of Southern California.

My motivation to do what I do each day comes from the ability to create something beautiful and meaningful, to connect with people through my work, and to continue to grow and evolve as an artist. I also take pride in being able to provide my customers with high-quality products and services that they can enjoy for years to come.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a business owner, one of my biggest accomplishments is the successful growth of Evan's Studio over the past 11 years. I am proud to have sold licenses for thousands of my photos to Fortune 500 companies and other businesses, which has helped them to achieve their marketing and branding goals. Additionally, I have been able to build a reputation as a trusted and respected provider of high-quality photography products and services to customers from around the world. This has been achieved through my dedication to producing creative and high-quality images, providing excellent customer service, and building long-term relationships with my clients.

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

One of the most difficult things that comes with being a business owner and photographer is obtaining fair compensation for your products and services. This can be particularly challenging in the photography/art industry, where there is a lot of competition and pricing can vary widely.

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

  1. Understand your customers and target market: it is important to put yourself in your customer's shoes and be able to articulate what problem you are solving for them. This includes identifying their wants, needs, and pain points. Don't be afraid to test out different strategies - failure is part of the process, and it is how you react to failure that matters most.
  2. Write out and develop a business plan on a consistent basis: it is difficult (but not impossible) to get to where you want to go without a roadmap. A business plan can help you keep your business on track, especially when you find yourself stuck in plateaus.
  3. Be adaptable and strategic: markets are constantly changing, so it is important to stay up to date with news and other important events. Staying up to date will help you identify new opportunities and potential challenges and allow you to make informed decisions that will support the growth and success of your business. It is also important to research your competitors to identify what they are doing well and determine if there are opportunities to improve their work. Being adaptable and strategic also means being careful with your spending and focusing on investing in assets that will increase your business's value, such as marketing campaigns, technology, or new product development.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.evansstudio.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evansstudio1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evan.kissner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/evankissner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evansstudio/

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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