Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sandra Manton Mills, Founder of Her Creative Studio, located in Toronto, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a photographer and graphic designer, and I've built a members-only library with a large collection of my gorgeous stock images and graphic design assets, which offer time-saving, professional, and consistent solutions to their visual marketing needs, allowing them to focus on what matters most. My members are women entrepreneurs, bloggers, creatives, content creators, graphic designers, coaches, real estate professionals, marketers, podcasters, educators, and publishers.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a Toronto girl, born and raised. I spent most of my professional life in the printing industry (primarily for print media) as a graphic designer, and seven of those years loving and nurturing my own brick-and-mortar offset printing house. With starting a family as my goal, I pivoted my career and launched my freelance graphic design business, and began my journey with photography. In 2014, with two kids under 3, I launched Her Creative Studio so I could continue to stay home with my girls, pursue my creative passions and help support my family. In 2016 I launched my digital library membership and continued to grow and learn in this creative space I love so much.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
For me, it's not any one big accomplishment but all the little ones along the way that have contributed to where I am today. Helping other women entrepreneurs, trying something new, meeting a big sales goal, finishing a hard task, doing something scary, and learning to say no. Just showing up every day and not giving up when things get really hard are great accomplishments, for one, and I'm super proud of them.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Wearing all the hats! Being responsible for everything, especially in the beginning when your responsibilities include anything from marketing and content creation to customer service, tech building, and admin tasks. It's easy to lose time learning new skills and getting lost in all the details, and you forget to focus on what's important for your business. Outsourcing tasks that are not in your zone of genius can be a lifesaver.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
It's such an exciting time to be a business owner!
- The first tip I'd give anyone starting out is to focus on client happiness. Clients are the lifeblood of any business, and it's important to make sure they are thrilled with your product or service and have a great user experience.
- The second tip is to embrace technology. Technology can help you streamline your business, reach more clients, and scale your business. Whether it's using social media to promote your business, adopting digital tools to create your marketing and manage your finances, or using communication tools to collect data and keep clients happy, embracing technology is a must.
- Lastly, find a healthy work-life balance. As impossible as this may seem, it's so important to take care of your health and well-being and not get lost in the hustle and then burn out. Take time for loved ones, get daily exercise and learn what's not important and let it go.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.hercreative-studio.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hercreativestudio/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/HerCreativeStudio/
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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