Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kathryn Davidson, Owner of Photos By Orion, located in Salem, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is stopping time, also called Photos By Orion, and my customers are those who want to remember a moment forever. I offer photography, videography, 360/virtual reality, and drone services.
Tell us about yourself
I got started because I have been doing photography since I was 15 and wanted a way to connect my love of working with people to my MBA. Starting a business was the natural intersection of those things.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being one of the biggest studios in town and having a staff underneath me. Most photographers never get to that point (and don't want to, either).
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Find where your customers are so you can talk with them. As a photographer, everyone knows at least 3 or 4 people in their circle who are also "photographers." Being able to meet with clients one on one or making sure my message gets across in all my branding and marketing is crucial because they need to know ME so I can stand out from all the other photographers they know.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start with the end in mind - you always need to have that end goal so you know what you are working toward.
- Find things that inspire you - be they people, books, podcasts, classes, etc. Find what will help you through the low motivation times because there WILL BE low motivation times.
- Go in, knowing this isn't easy, and it never will be. If you go into business thinking I will do what I love all day, every day you will be quickly disappointed, will lose motivation, and will probably fail. If you go into it knowing it will be an uphill climb every day, but you are slowly moving toward your goal, you will not lose hope quickly and are much more likely to succeed.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.photosbyorion.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Photosbyorion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photos_by_orion/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhotosByOrion
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/photos-by-orion-llc/
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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