The Beginning | Steps to Entrepreneurship Questions and Answers

Over the course of the last six months to a year, I’ve been getting more and more questions about my journey to entrepreneurship. Small business owning is a joy—and a heck of a lot of hard work! There are so many behind the scenes routines and workflows and templates and emails that never get seen. It’s been a beautiful way I’ve gotten to express my creativity, connect with others (both clients and vendors) and bonus: make a living! I realize that every story is different and that there isn’t one way to go about being a small business owner–but my hope is as I begin this series that I can help others along as they seek to pursue their dreams as well!

I had received many questions about my story, advice on how to handle certain aspects of business and the processes that I followed—but it wasn’t until the beginning of this year that everything started coming together. Erin, an incredibly sweet past bride of mine (see their wedding here) reached out to me via email asking if we could get together for coffee and she could pick my brain about business! I was more than happy to get together with her and pass along any life experience that I had acquired (although anyone in this business knows that you’ll be years into it thinking you have everything together and then a situation hard ball gets thrown at you and you learn something new you need to put into place!)

From that time I’ve been compiling a list of questions that I’ve been asked and want to answer in a way that shares my story and maybe in some way, helps yours! Before I begin, if you’re a new small business owner and there is a question you’d like to be answered and featured on the blog, please send it my way at: laceyrene.studios@yahoo.com !

Q: How did you decide to make the leap to self-empolyment?

My story starts the Spring I graduated with a Graphic Design major and photography minor. I knew that Summer Michael and I would be getting married and moving to Saint Louis where he would be getting his Masters. Many people begin their journey working at a 9-5 job and then (sometime within that routine) comes to realize that this wasn’t for them. My story was a bit different.

I knew that while Michael studied to get his Masters I’d be bringing in the majority of our income and taking the step to self-empolyment at that time wasn’t wise. There’s risk involved and time–neither of which I had much of. So as I worked 9-5 at a medical supply company during the days, I put all my remaining time into slowly building towards the dream that I wanted (small business owning). 

Although those three years were hard, it was such an incredible time for me to learn and grow and lay solid foundations for the business I have today. Practically every night while Michael studied I’d be learning more editing techniques or reading blog after blog or shooting weddings and families. Looking back at that time, I know that it was invaluable! Not only that, but I had the opportunity to help carry equipment (and when I got better) second shoot with the photographer who shot my wedding (very long, very cool story there…but that’s for another time!) Getting to see her systems and how she processed the day helped me get to where I am now. Before my very first solo wedding during that three year time frame in Saint Louis, she took me out to coffee and showed me the timelines that she made and answered any and all questions I had. 

No matter what stage your small business is in right now—-hear this. Preparing for the next season, while you’re currently in your present one is soo important!! That looks like saving money for equipment investments you want, learning how to build a website, refining your skills, creating workflows, reading business books, building a portfolio, establishing connections! Taking a hard look at the future and where you hope to see your business (even if that’s not possible where you are now) changes everything about the transition into the next stage!!!

After Michael graduated, he was offered a position in Kansas City, MO. His paycheck covered all our expenses, which gave me the freedom financially to throw everything I had into growing my business. My leap was “safer” that most, but I also whole heartedly believe that the countless hours I studied, grew, developed, and prepared for the leap made all the difference! 

Q: What surprised you? What didn’t?

The thing that didn’t surprise me was the work. (And I’m talking HARD. WORK!)

Being a small business owner definitely has it’s perks–flexibility, working from home, vacation days whenever you want–but being a small business owner is hard work! There’s no one else to finish the things that didn’t get crossed off your list yesterday. When your files are unorganized–it’s your fault. When you get behind in tracking your work miles–you’re the only one to blame. I knew from the get go that this wasn’t for the faint of heart…and let me tell you, it’s not!

I think every year of business something new surprises me (part of the joy of running your own business!), but I think what continually surprises me is how much growth can still happen no matter how mature or how far along you are! And I say this in a good way!

The first couple years of only being a small business owner is like opening your mouth in front of a fire hydrant and trying to drink! There is so much to learn! So many things you want to implement! So many people you want to connect with! There are workflows that need to be put into place and routines that need to be established. You’re learning about taxes and LLC’s and contracts. You’re marketing and blogging and keeping up with your bookkeeping. You’re figuring out the best way to track mileage and receipts. How to stay organized. (And all that comes with time and effort!)

But then after all those things are done…..there’s more to learn.

There’s ALWAYS something more to learn!

Michael has been huge in helping me in this! Over the last couple years I’ve made an intentional effort to buy and read business related books. And goodness!!!! It’s been incredible! Never being okay with where your small business is at is a wonderful thing! There is so much wisdom from people who have done this before–read about it, follow it, grow from it! I used to think that someday I’d be in a place where I knew everything that was content with where I was at–but surprisingly (THANKFULLY!) I’m not. And I’d have it no other way!

(Tons more questions on the way! Oh friends, this is only the beginning!)