Today I'm chatting with Ben Chernivsky, a wedding photographer and founder of Gifyyy, a portable photo booth company. Ben shares his journey from disinterest in weddings to becoming a successful wedding photographer and entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges of work-life balance, his midlife awakening, and the importance of living authentically. Ben reflects on his work addiction, and his decision to prioritize family.

Today we go deep into many subjects that some of you may find difficult, so please take care whilst listening.

Find out more about Gifyyy

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Want to meet other likeminded wedding pro's so that you can share ideas, network and help each other out? Then why not go ahead and join my free Wedding Pro community over on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingprosreadytogrow/

Find out more about how I can help you grow your wedding business over on my website or Instagram page:

www.beccapountney.com

www.instagram.com/beccapountney

Time Stamps:

The intro (00:00:00) Becca Pountney sets the stage for a deep and important conversation, addressing potential triggers and encouraging open dialogue about mental health.

Introduction of Ben (00:01:10) Becca introduces Ben, a wedding photographer and the founder of Gifyyy, a portable photo booth, and expresses excitement about their conversation.

Ben's journey into wedding photography (00:02:39) Ben shares his unexpected entry into the wedding photography industry and his initial disinterest in weddings, leading to his eventual passion for the craft.

Growth of Ben's wedding photography business (00:06:56) Ben discusses the expansion of his wedding photography business, including the number of weddings and photo booth rentals, and the balance with family life.

Building a team (00:07:59) Ben emphasizes the importance of teamwork and the need for a team to achieve success in the wedding industry, acknowledging the support he received from mentors and coaches.

The decision to take on a team (00:09:15) Becca and Ben discuss the pivotal moment when Ben realized he needed to expand his team due to overwhelming demand and the emotional toll of turning down opportunities.

Taking responsibility for business decisions (00:12:49) Ben emphasizes the importance of taking full responsibility for the decisions made in one's business, particularly when hiring and managing a team.

Creation of Gifyyy (00:15:21) Ben shares the conscious decision to commit to the wedding industry for ten years and the development of Gifyyy, a portable photo booth, as a specialized addition to his photography business.

The journey of Gifyyy (00:19:22) Ben discusses the portability and success of his Gifyyy photo booth business, its global reach, and his approach to managing it as a side hustle.

Personal and professional transitions (00:20:36) Ben reflects on his life plan, goals, and the significant changes and self-discovery he experienced around the age of 35-40, including examining his family background and addiction to work.

Reevaluating success and life balance (00:27:10) Ben shares his definition of success, emphasizing the importance of balancing career, financial stability, and personal fulfillment, and overcoming past struggles with the concept of family first.

Importance of financial planning (00:31:58) Ben discusses the lack of focus on future financial planning in the wedding industry, the need for financial education, and the complexities of personal relationships with money and success.

Challenging industry norms (00:35:56) Ben addresses the industry's focus on superficial success, the importance of substance and integrity in business, and the necessity of engaging in conversations about business and financial planning.

Normalizing future planning (00:39:03) Becca Pountney emphasizes the need to normalize conversations about future plans in the wedding industry, including long-term career goals and life transitions, to encourage new perspectives and ideas.

Mistakes and Growth (00:40:16) Discussion on the importance of making mistakes and the impact on personal growth and development.

Unexpected Paths (00:41:09) Exploration of how unexpected opportunities and decisions can lead to unforeseen success and personal evolution.

Evolution and Destiny (00:42:17) Reflection on personal and professional evolution, and the realization that destiny may unfold in unforeseen ways.

Connecting and Reaching Out (00:43:01) Information on how to connect with Ben and his various businesses, including Gifyyy and his personal projects.

Closing Remarks (00:44:37) Closing thoughts and encouragement for listeners to engage in deeper conversations and seek support when needed.