Path to Business

Becoming a Makeup Artist and Growing a Company all at the same time is no easy feat. I met Klava at a styled wedding shoot in 2017 that we collaborated on together. She brought her fresh newborn baby girl and still managed to make our models look amazing of course. She had her in a carrier and still did her job and she's been inspiring me ever since. When I first started my business I used to strap little Philippe to my back and shoot a whole session. I didn't think much of it until I saw Klava doing it. Realizing how amazing we are as strong women who can still build a successful business all while raising children came at that moment.

Even after all these years of working together at shoots and weddings I never truly got the chance to sit down one on one with Klava to hear her story. I knew it must be good because of how talented she is and how she's been able to scale her business so fast. Hearing the whole story is incredible and I am so happy to have had her on the show.

Did you know she studied law and is a lawyer!? Who knew! Her passion has obviously changed paths and it's not the first time I hear of a creative entrepreneur who grew up wanting to be a lawyer, *cough* me! Klava actually became a lawyer and still changed, so it goes to show you can always make pivots and changes in your life.

One of the key messages Klava brings to her business and life is balance. Trying to find that perfect mix of work hard, play hard. Still really enjoys traveling and completely shuts off from the world most winters down south. It's never easy with small children but somehow she makes it look easy.

People might think that about anyone running a business with kids. Even without them, it can be hard to not want to pour every ounce you have into your business because you love it. Knowing what I know now, creating distance, finding clarity, and getting some rest is actually a huge part of the success of any business.

For more info about this episode and to contact Klava, head on over to the show notes: www.greyloftstudio.ca/podcast

What to do during a Pandemic as a Photographer? It’s hard to believe we are already at episode number 10 you guys. I wanted to give you a few stats so far. Now, this is just what the hosting site I use called Anchor tells me, but we are at over 500 listens and it says my audience size is over 40 people. To be honest I thought only my mom would listen. This means the world to me. Thank you so much for listening and supporting me. All your kind words of encouragement are really what's keeping me going.

I haven’t really gotten personal on this podcast as much so this episode is all about what I’ve been up to during this pandemic. (other than starting a podcast of course). What does a photographer do during a pandemic or even a slower season? My hope is that you’ll get to know a bit more about my personal side, not only just hearing my voice, but now I have been dealing with the pandemic. My hope is that you’ll feel a bit closer to me and hopefully reach out if you need someone. I am not always the chattiest person who reaches out all the time, but I am here if and whenever you need me.

Do you ever have moments you think you’ll never forget? Well, one of those moments happens to be when COVID-19 hit. We were all packed and planning to go to the Ottawa Wedding Show for what was seemingly going to be an epic one. Still riding the wave from the last show, giving tickets away to potential couples, and building a whole new look for our booth. Finally feeling like we’ve found our groove within our business. We had reached out to all the amazing vendors who we wanted to work with and ordered new albums for the show. It was going to be our best one yet, or so we thought.

We had already a pretty full 2020 season so we were excited to fill up the rest of 2021 since we were already half booked. Our couples for 2021 were ramping up and we had already booked all our engagement sessions in for the season. Talk about feeling organized and on top of the world. Our website was getting an overhaul, our social media was consistent, and we had built this epic workflow for our clients. On top of all this, we had just gotten back from vacation in Florida in January. We felt completely refreshed for the start of our season.

The next thing we hear about is this “bad-flu” that was going around and that there wasn’t really anything to worry about. We received calls from other vendors who were also attending the wedding show asking us what our plans were. Of course, we were going ahead? The show was still moving forward at this point, I didn’t think much of it. Going out the next day I got my hair done and a fresh blowout, new outfit, and a manicure. I was completely set. After speaking with our decorator and florist, we were all packed and ready.  The virus wasn't something that we thought would cancel the wedding show.

If you want to learn more about this episode and links to everything mentioned, check out my show notes page: www.greyloftstudio.ca/podcast

Absolutely no doubt we needed Krista to talk to us about Starting an Invitation & Business with her expert skills. Not only is Krista an incredible person, but she's also a mom of two and works full-time. How she keeps everything going is a skill we all needed to know and I'm honoured to call her a friend. We've collaborated more than 30 times than I can count and she continues to floor myself and the industry with her creativity.

Funny story is that I actually met Krista and her husband years ago when her team used to whoop my pickup teams butt at Ultimate Frisbee. This was, of course, pre-children and when we had time for sports and friends. After a night at The Rising Tide Society where she brought her newborn, I knew I needed to meet her. Having started my business while raising a tiny human, anyone who could do both was superheroes to me.

A quick DM on Instagram, Krista kindly entertained me doing some fun branding photos of her and we, of course, hit it off. We laughed, added baileys to our coffees, and we met bi-weekly to chat all things business. It was a huge advantage for me in my business because she knew everyone and introduced me to all the people. To this day I am so thankful that she said YES!

If you want to get in touch with Krista, check out the show notes HERE --> www.greyloftstudio.ca/podcast

If you're planning a wedding you'll want to reach out to Erica, she's what I call the Executive Wedding Planner on the go. She's always organized and knows how things are going to play out. Managing a busy household and a full planning business is something that I truly admire about Erica. Whilst I have first hand experience when it comes to raising children,  Erica has been doing this long before I was in business. Erica is always smiling and an ability to make everyone feel comfortable.

Interestingly Erica kind of stumbled into wedding planning. Hearing her story of how she discovered it almost by accident. Often I talk about how skills from one job to another can be very transferable. It surprised me when Erica was in executive technology world before. Thinking about it you may not think that they would be helpful, but in Erica's experience she's been able to relate to her clients. Understanding your clients and the needs they have is very helpful. Since she was a top level executive she attracts these clients which are ideal for her. As a top level executive you don't have time to plan a wedding, that's where she comes in!

If you want to know more, head on over to our show notes page here --> www.greyloftstudio.ca/podcast

I know you’ve probably heard this a million times, but I am going to say it again. Stop feeling guilt for the things that you aren’t doing and start appreciating the things you ARE doing. I hear it all the time that other entrepreneurs aren’t feeling like they are doing enough, especially when they see, what seems like EVERYONE else doing ALL the THINGS!

Let me tell you that they really aren’t doing all the things, they are just better at prioritizing.  Sure, what does that even mean. It means that they have spent some time doing things that make them look like they are doing ALL the THINGS. I want to tell you how you can do it all as well, even when you don’t think you can. I actually know you can because whenever I WANT to do something, it gets done. And I mean, who really wants to sit down and update ALT tags on a website or Blog. If you do then well, good for you. But let me tell you I don’t wake up in the morning excited to write my next blog. Unless of course of it’s about my my dreamy couples swoon worthy wedding day.

Hear all my tips and tricks in this weeks episode and get all the links in my show notes page HERE --> www.greyloftstudio.ca/podcast

On this weeks episode I interview Dana from With Love Bridal Boutique, Owner, in Kanata, ON and hear her story of what sparked her vision for what she has grown today!

When you dream about shopping for your wedding dress, you are absolutely looking for that dream dress experience, because without that, how does it all start to feel real? I know that was my experience when I started looking at dresses for my own special day. It was the spark that sent this bride's experience to spark something new, a wedding dress boutique business.

This is an episode your not going to wanna miss, so sit back and enjoy!

For all the show notes from this episode and how to contact Dana, head on over to: www.greyloftstudio.ca/podcast

When you dream about what you want to be when you grow up it can be tricky to completely switch gears, but unrealized transferable skills are what has made Amy Haggerty so successful. I first met Amy in real life at a mom's wine group I organized before I even had kids. We had just moved into a new subdivision and I didn't know anyone. Putting a call out on Facebook was my way of trying to connect with others in the community and it completely worked.

Looking back it's funny that we met this way, but from the very beginning Amy was extremely thoughtful, funny, organized. At the time I didn't quite know how she did it and even now I wonder, but I feel like we've always had this trait in common. Amy was the first to give me some old pregnancy books and she answered all my silly questions about kids and working. Looking up to her was the best thing I could have ever done as she has always been available to me not only in her business, but a friend.

Somethings you just never forget and I swear I could write a funny coincidences book all about how Amy is always available for my many questions. Selling or buying a home is one of the biggest most stressful situations I have ever been in. She would take my texts, calls, emails and somehow make sense of it all. She's a saint!

However, Amy is also a police officer part-time and whenever I have been purchasing or selling, somehow I've needed her police advice also. Unrealized transferable skills are what has made Amy so trusted within the community and in her policing community.

Buy us a coffee and we could tell you the stories, but really what is transferable is that Amy has a super keen sense of people. She can assess a situation faster than anyone and she truly knows the ins and outs of her business. The skills needed for being a police officer and also selling homes is something I would have never thought would make sense. Her situation it's been a huge factor in her success.

If you want to get in touch with Amy and get to know her more, head on over to our show notes page here: www.greyloftstudio.ca/podcast

I know this isn’t a topic you might hear about a lot, bullying in business isn't really talked about often. Why!? It’s not something that I thought was super relevant to everyone, but what I have found is that most people just avoid the topic completely or dismiss it. I believe it’s because we are embarrassed or feel ashamed about it and so we don’t bring it up. It’s something that has played a really significant role in not only my business but my life. I did a pole on Instagram asking my community if they have ever felt a form of bullying within their business and it was 70% of the people who responded yes. What!

Tune in to hear all the details and how I got over this huge hurdle. 

Show notes:

www.greyloftstudio.ca/podcast

@pathtobusinesspodcast

Learn a little bit more about me and how I got started in my Photography Business. Self-made, six-figure business owner, mother-of-three who's not afraid of hard work. I want to share not only my story with you but the story of how others have created their own unique journey.  Your Path to Business Podcast is all about understanding that  true connection is a super power that we can all achieve by sharing your story the way you want to. It's actually extremely powerful and beautiful and through this we can all learn so much. I want to celebrate each business and the story of how it came into fruition. Knowing how we got started is so important for growth especially when we are working so hard with in our business. We understand and appreciate the sacrifices and decision that have lead us to where we are today. We can continue to achieve all your biggest dreams by empowering ourselves and others to do the same.

For a link to save 50% off HoneyBook for a year, head to www.greyloftstudio.ca/honeybook

For the show notes, head to www.greyloftstudio.ca/pathtobusiness

Email me: [email protected]

On this episode of "Path to Business" Podcast I chat with Jessica Fewster about building a "Dream Wedding Venue" from the ground up and all the effort it takes to take an idea and turn it into something epic. Everything from the business plan to mortgages being difficult . Once Jessica shared this story with me I knew the world needed to hear it. It took A LOT of convincing but I was finally able to sit her down and now I can't wait to share it with you.  Jessica is looked up to in the Ottawa Wedding Industry and I am completely honoured to have had her as a guest to share her story.

It's not everyday that someone dreams up building a brick and mortar spot in the mountains that's modern and different from everything that the market had currently seen. As with most businesses we know that corporate should always be mixed in with weddings or events. After quickly realizing that corporate world wasn't for her or the business they went full gear into weddings.

Everything happens for a reason and I really beleive in the fact that if you put your mind to something you will make it happen. I know that Jessica has worked her butt off to get where she is and build the team she's so proud to call her family. She is always trying her best to have nothing left to waste and has created smaller amazing business' that all feed into her "Le Belvédère" dream. Things like shuttles and getting ready spots that are perfect for family and friends to stay at, extra kitchen space to cook food offsite and create a canteen out of it. Nothing has stopped her.

In your business I am sure you have been there where you realize that you want to control everything to make it all cohesive and on brand, but adding a shuttle service and getting ready spaces is next level. Talk about up-levelling. Usually I feel like we think of something but dismiss doing it because it will be too much work or effort. Not this team, the second they get an idea, watch out. It's going to happen and all for the right reasons, to please their ideal clients. With 120+ weddings a year it's no doubt that this team has it down to a science, but the icing on the cake is that each client and guest walks away feeling like this wedding was one to remember.

To get in touch with Jessica and her team, check out the show notes here:

www.greyloftstudio.ca/pathtobusiness