Half-Assing it | Girl Boss

I joke around a lot about being a procrastinator. 

But if anyone REALLY knows me. They know it's not a joke. 

I AM an procrastinator.

Am I proud about it? Meh. I mean ... I've accepted the fact that I will always wait last minute. But I really do need to get better at planning and organizing my life. But if the job gets done ... why change?

Granted, I also have accepted that if I actually worked towards accomplishments a little harder ... I'd be more successful. I'd have more accreditations. I'd probably have more money. I might go on more vacations. I could probably afford a nanny and maid. 
Meh.
Am I comfortable where I'm at?
Yes. 
And that might be the issue. 
I've had a pretty easy life. Things seem to always work out for me and I've been really lucky. Jobs, schooling, and opportunities just happen to fall in my lap. And if something didn't - I'd take the hit and move on. 
Don't get me wrong. I have worked hard in my life to get where I am. If I want it, I get it. I've had failures but I haven't dwelled in them. I think why I love journalism and the media work life is that I was always given a deadline. I always made deadline. Always. Don't matter how I made the deadline - but I made it. It may have been the last 5 minutes I wrote the story - but I made deadline. I may have drank 5 cups of coffee to hit that deadline - but I made it.
The best business practice? Probably not. But it works for me.
I need to stop and work harder. I know that. 
What do you guys do to change a habit? How do you stay on task? How do you ensure you're always putting your most effort into something? How do you work from home and on your own schedule?
Please, I'd love to hear from you!

Should You "Niche?" | Girl Boss

Ever since the beginning ...

That sounds like I'm going to get all philosophical, huh?

Ever since the beginning ... of my hobby turned professional business, I've heard the words,

"Find your Niche."

Niche.

Watchu mean my "niche?"

I'm a photographer. 

That's my niche ... bitch.

LOL

Sorry had to.

But seriously, all the successful photographers - or at least whom I viewed as successful, were telling me to pick a niche and stick to it.

Meaning, pick a genre to photograph and nothing more.

Because my background is in photojournalism and thats really wear my heart lays --

I chose to tell people I specialize in events.

I normally get the "oh ..."

Meaning, they don't have an "event" to photograph, they want portraits so I'm not the one for them.

This is where I play catch up and follow with, "But I like to call myself a lifestyle photographer because I don't like posing families. I mean, what three year old is going to sit perfectly still in front of my lens for an hour session? I let you guys be ... well YOU. We have fun on our sessions and nothing really is 'posed' per say, we will definitely have fun and you'll get great family portraits out of it."

Phew. Saved right?

Well, sorta. I book the client, we have fun, they love their pictures, it gets posted on my Facebook page or Blog and that's that.

I recently put an ad together for my Facebook cover and realized ... I photograph pretty much everything ...

(Watch in HD on YouTube)

But those "portraits" aren't my niche are they?

Or when I wanna get creative and I ask for a volunteer model and we get creative. I now have a beautiful portrait of a model and now headshots are being asked for by other models.

What about the vendor that asked me to photograph their products? Heck yeah. I'll support another small business.

Or the client who has been coming to me for all their life's moments? Their engagement, their wedding, their newborn ....

ERRRRRRRRRRR?! What?! (those were tire screech marks if you couldn't tell)

I do NOT do newborn. But for them, I decided to ... and I put my own spin to it. "

Lifestyle Newborn"

And they loved it.

I tried boudoir for Valentines Day ... nope, not my niche ... but I tried it.

Basically, what I'm alluding to is that my niche isn't a niche at all. It's about me trying.

It's my business, I get to run it how I want. 

I can say yes to one session and no to another. If I wanna give it a try, I'll give it a try.

Does this work for everyone? No ... but it appears to work for me.

But I am a photojournalistic, lifestyle photographer who loves natural light and capturing moments as they happen. That's my niche.

But let's get one thing straight, if you want boudoir or posed newborn images ... I am NOT the photographer for you. But I will point you in the right direction to someone WAY better at those niche's than I!

;)

Run your business how you see fit, girlfriend.

After all, you are the Girl Boss.

Knowing Your Business | Girl Boss

Guys, being your own boss is amazing. 

I'm not going to lie.

But it also sucks.

You always have to answer to yourself. You always have to hold yourself accountable. You always blame yourself when monies aren't looking right. You always get angry at yourself when things go awry. There's no one else to blame but YOURSELF.

I'm in a creative business. I'm a photographer. There's a lot of heart that goes into my services that I provide and I take a lot of pride in that.

When someone insults my work (with not legit reason) or how I run things, I take it hard. I don't let it break me, but it does make me want to rethink how I do things.

HOWEVER -- 

When this happens to me, its very few and far. So, that being said - the majority of my clients (the clients I want to keep coming back to me) love my work and how I run my business. I have a ton of positive feedback that proves this. Shit, I've been in business for five years now. I'm reaching that goal mark in my business plan that allows me to say, "I've made it longer than most self-employed business owners."

And I can honestly say, my work speaks for itself. I recently had a message that bothered me and I made a Facebook rant ... I know, I know -- girl stop the drama. But I want y'all to know this and take this into perspective - no matter what sort of business you have:

I'm just gonna put this out there, you can grab it or you can turn away:

When you buy something online, you HAVE to pay the full price for it to get shipped to you. You HAVE to rely on the fact that the pictures speak for themselves and that the company you are ordering from is legit. It may or may not fit. It may or may not be the right color. It may or may not be what you wanted, but you had to pay the full price. You read over the return policy (or not) but either way, the company is not going to say, "Oh sure! Pay half now and half when you get your product." Because of course, you (or other consumers) will definitely pay the rest of the payment once you have the product in hand and love it .... 

Same thing goes for photographers people. No, I'm not going to let you put some money down for a photo session "just in case you don't like the images." What an insult to my work. You are paying for a service, and I will be giving you that service whether you like the images or not. But more than likely, you're going to love that service because I care about you. I want you to LOVE your images. I will ensure you're satisfied. So, I'm sorry -- if you don't want to pay up front, I'm not the photographer for you. I'm not afraid to say no, because this is my business and I'm proud of it.

 Guys, it's so hard to get people to understand the difference between paying more for a small business than paying less from a HUGE company. You're getting personalize service. I've written numerous "rants" on Facebook. And sometimes, you just need perspective:

It frustrates the hell out of me when people don't appreciate the time and love that goes into creating an image for them. If you simply just want someone to click the damn button, get your mom to do that or set a self timer. Don't question me why I am priced the way I am. It's called making a living and before you go pay $6 for a coffee, $150 for a pair of shoes, or $250 for a dress -- all from businesses that could care less if they got your money or not because they are already banking, think of the small businesses who take the time to personalize their service to Y.O.U. 

Small businesses don't just take your money and wave good bye, small businesses ensure that the money you are paying is for exactly what you want -- creative or not. They call you to make sure you got the gallery link, they ensure that everything makes sense when you ordering and even catch mistakes you may have made in the ordering process to ensure you're getting the best deal. They personally review every product you are to receive to ensure quality. They take time away from their own families to ensure your family gets the best and greatest. They sometimes check emails when they are technically aren't within business hours. They check their calendars to see if they could possibly squeeze you in even though they really just want to spend that time with their own family. They ensure you are completely satisfied and they hope you'll be a returning customer again and again. 

There's a lot a small business owner does for a client, don't question why they charge the way they do. Every number has been calculated to ensure cost of business, taxes, equipment costs and in hopes there will still be some left over for some sort of income. But really, a small business owner is running his or her own business because they love what the do. If you don't want to pay what a small business owner charges, then go somewhere else, but think before you question them on why they charge the way they do. 

If you want Walmart prices, you're going to get Walmart quality. If you like Walmart quality and service, continue to go to them and leave small business owners alone. There's no need to publicly question them in hopes of discrediting them.
thank you.

**steps off soap box**

I take everything to heart guys. I need you to be as proud and confident as I appear on Facebook to be. Yes, I still struggle with doubt and always think I could've done better. I still seek out compliments from people and I still wish I was "as good as so-and-so." BUT I think that's good. You always want to strive for better, because if you already think you're the best - there's no room for growth.

Girl Bosses out there - own your worth! You are worth every single penny! 

Stay true to yourselves ladies!

In a Funk | Girl Boss

Guys, I'm in a funk.

I'm sure y'all noticed that not many posts have been showing up in your emails (if you follow me).

It's because I've ran out of steam.

It happens to the best of us; I mean, hello?! I'm telling y'all that I RAN OUT OF STEAM. ;)

I kid ... but in all honesty. I have.

Moving the business was fairly simple. Getting business, surprisingly was fairly easy.

But I'm still in a funk.

I think it's the fact that I'm away from my other photographer, creative friends and really haven't found "my people" here in Texas just yet.

I love my clients so much, and all the new faces I have met. But I need to get creative and also tag along with other creatives to get my steam back.

I have been going to many MANY artist galleries and festivals and what not, but I have yet to find "my people." All creatives know how competitive our art is. And because it's so diversified as in who likes what and what appeals to others, it can be very difficult to find a person, let alone a group, that can get all together - with no competitiveness - and enjoy each other's company while getting creative.

I also have been dragging my feet in the "freelance" area of my work. I have yet to contact the public newspaper, or the many city magazines around here.

Why?

I have no clue.

I was enjoying all the free time I had to work on ME - physically and mentally.

But I think I took too long on working on me - if there's such a thing - and now I need to find my motivation to be busy again.

What are some ways y'all got your motivation back? In anything. In business. In health. In family. In life?

As my picture says above, I am staying focused. I am still goal driven. I just need to get my "umph" back!

I'll keep y'all posted. As of right now, I have just finished my "to do" list and contacting newspaper and magazines are right on top.

So wish me luck and hope to hear how y'all got outta your funk.

Picking Up Where You Left | Girl Boss

Guys ... moving your business SUCKS.

S
U
C
K
S

I'm serious.

My business is also an LLC - a corporation, so in my opinion, it was even more difficult to move it from North Carolina to Texas.

I don't mean literally picking it up and moving it, I mean legally ... the paperwork involved. It blew majorly.

So because I'm not a lawyer ... that's my disclaimer ... as I was reading the mambo-jambo fine print of taxes and LLCs and whatever, I discovered that it would cost more to transfer my LLC from NC to TX than it would to close in NC and reopen in TX.

I know ... me even writing that out in layman terms was confusing.

Basically if I brought my NC LLC to TX, it would be treated as a foreign entity and I would not only have today takes in Texas, I'd also have to pay in North Carolina.

What the what?! 

I know right?

Because of that, I decided to legally close my NC business and reopen a TX one.

Even though it's still the same business.

I was worried that it would effect my credibility going from a business that was open since 2010 to a business opened in 2016. BUT ... now this is where my advice plays into this entire post ... I decided to go to the El Paso Chamber of Commerce and ask them how to go about this.

They set me up with a business mentor here in El Paso who's and business owner and qualified to give other small business owners advice. After speaking with him, I realized that I'm actually not as dumb as I thought I was one this. What he suggested was the same thing I had already put into play.

And guess what? My business is still considered opened in 2010 ... it was just, in all reality, closed for 3 months, while I moved. No credibility of long term business was lost!

I was good.

He also suggested online links and other personnel to help me get the information I needed to ensure my business was set up properly and most importantly, legally.

Each state has different rules on taxes, permits, licenses, and what not. I strongly suggest you stopping by your chamber of commerce to get the help you need. They will also have the contact information for any small business organizations that will help you out as you go.

Because of them, I was able to pretty much set up my business within 2 months. (it was a little slow because I was more focused on unpacking the house and ensuring it was ready for the kids).

And now for the next part of "the suck" of moving a business.

Clientele.

This is a hard one. It took me years to get the clientele I wanted in North Carolina. I don't have that many years here to grab them. I only have about three years here. It took me three years in North Carolina to get the clients I wanted.

So what does that mean?

That means I have to hustle! 

I reached out to like-minded people here in El Paso, trying to network and find a community that supports small business owners. This is a slippery-slope because many in my profession don't want to help each other out and they're out for blood.

Life of a creative.

However, I have been really lucky lately and found some great business owner "friends" to reach out to and receive the support I needed. As I give back to them as well.

What's the saying?

"Those who want to see others succeed, also succeed in life."

Or something like that.

As I learn more about moving a business, I'll share with you in this series. If you have any tips or comments, please share with me and the other readers!

Shit, if it makes this whole moving thing easier, why not right?!

Good luck y'all!

I Ain't Ashamed | Girl Boss

Guys.

I work from home.

I have a toddler.

Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do to get shit done.

After all, you're STILL running a business.

When you know your raging toddler is tired but won't take a nap because he's a

"Big Boy Now."

I mean, you even turned his crib into toddler bed. So, I guess he's right.

Right?

Nope, because this sweet baby boy is being a monster right now and I gotta get work done.

So whats a work-at-home-mom to do?

Grab the BINKY 

the Night-Night

get into the CAR

set the satellite radio to "SPA"

and DRIVE.

Not three minutes ....

THREE MINUTES

down the highway and he's snoring.

Yep.

The plan was to drive to Starbucks and hopefully he'd fall asleep somewhere in between ... if I had to drive to New Mexico, I would have. But he fell asleep much quicker.

But I was STILL going to get my Starbucks.

After all ... he DID wake up at 4:30am.

Sweet success.

I ain't ashamed.

Good luck out there Boss Moms!

You've got this!

Making the Most of Your Time | Girl Boss

Y'all ... I have a problem with staying on task.

I guess you could say I'm ADD. 

Maybe that's where my kid got the craziness ....

NO...

No, he got that from his father.

I swear it. Never from me. I'm awesome and perfect.

LOL

I digress.

Anyway, ... wait see? I can't even keep my thoughts straight in this damn blog! ha!

Today I tried something new. I decided to set my phone alarm to keep me on track. Sometimes All the time, when I'm on the computer, I seem to bounce from one task to another.

I'll be editing, then I'll check Facebook, then 15 minutes lost, I'll get back to editing. Then I get bored and start something personal, then 30 mins lost, I'll get back to editing or what the hell, I'll switch to blogging. And by the time I know it, the eldest is home and the baby is awake from the nap and now I'm juggling afternoon snacks and telling the baby to stop messing with my photo props, and eldest that no, he cannot play the xbox until his homework is down and then ....

SHIT.

I forgot to thaw the meat for dinner. And oh by the way, the editing that was due today is not done and now I have to spend the evening away from the family to finish editing and get the gallery up for the wonderful family that hired me but now I'm not close to my family because I'm locked in the dark making some other family happy.

Exhausting, right?

I mean, everyone makes being a work-at-home mom seem so simple. In actuality, it's not. When you go to an office, you're family is already taken care of. Whether they're at school or daycare. You are not interrupted by crying, hungry babies or angry, hormonal kids not wanting to do homework. You are in an office with other people who are stuck in an office doing their jobs. So more than likely, you can get your job done and complete, minus the phone calls or noisy co-workers.

Work-at-home moms rock because they still have to do laundry, watch the kids, make dinner and all that jazz. And that my dear friends, is why nap time is so extra special to work-at-home moms so you HAVE to be able to manage it perfectly.

So the thing I did differently, as I mentioned above before I went on my soap-box, was that I timed my "nap-time work schedule." My littlest sleeps from about noon to 3pm. So that gives me three hours to get shit done. Today I still multi-tasked but this time I timed it.

When I put the baby down for nap at noon, I threw in a load of laundry. Then I got to work at catching up on a personal photo album since, surprise! As a photographer, your own photography gets pushed to the side (i.e. editing vacations, scrapbooking, printing, hanging...ect). So, one of my goals is to catch up on my photo albums. For an hour I did just that using, Shutterfly. Then at 1pm, I began to edit client work. I did about 30 mins of one client and 30 mins of another client. That got me about 20 images, give or take, on each client done. Basically, they're almost complete. 

Then at 2pm (after throwing the wet clothes into the dryer), I forced myself to come on here and blog. Why do I say forced? Because Facebook was REALLY calling my name ... so I cheated a tad and looked on Facebook for about 10 minutes ... this is why I am now whisking through this blog hopefully not too crazily because when my "For Real STOP!" Alarm goes off, I HAVE to stop because a) my eldest comes home from school and b) if I don't wake the baby from his nap by 3pm, he won't sleep at night. GAH! 

The struggle is real folks.

And there it goes, my alarm. So I HAVE to get off people. So hopefully maybe this blog will give you a little insight in work-at-home moms. I don't want to scare you off entrepreneurs. 

I don't. 

Because seriously, working for myself is the best decision I've made. Seriously. I hate to think about working for someone else and on their schedule. I can take vacation whenever I want. I can stay home with the kids. I can partake in school activities and I can have weekends to enjoy family instead of catching up on household issues. 

Guys, be your own boss. But just realize that you'll probably work more hours in the day/night and your boss is the biggest bitch out there. ;) I'm telling ya.

Good luck y'all!