When you start new business, it feels like your baby. You nurture it, protect it, help it grow and celebrate each time it succeeds. Now, add a real baby to the mix and strap on your seat belts because it’s going to be a wild ride. Being a new business owner AND and a new mom is something that women everywhere are doing everyday, but it’s not easy.
Natalie Jackson of 4 Corners Photography went from getting paid with Starbucks cards to a 6 figure photography business in just a few years…and she started it all when her son was only three months old. How amazing right?! Natalie was so honest and generous in this episode and I know that the things she shares will resonate with a lot of people. To all those new moms out there trying to start a business and not go crazy at the same time…this one’s for you.
Make Your Client Experience a Priority:
We’ve all heard the idea that keeping clients and having them coming back for return business is cheaper to do then go out and get new clients…well, it’s true! Natalie loves to work with families on multiple occasions, following them through life’s milestones and seeing the family grow. Her cultivates that relationship with them on their first session so when they get engaged…they call her. When they get married…theu call her. When they have their first child…they call her. You get the picture.
She does this by constantly communicating with her clients. Not in the annoying, pushy way but in a way that makes them feel involved and prepared. She suggests reaching out to clients before your session, event, project or whatever you are working on. Try to be proactive and answer common questions or send them a blog post that will give them an idea of your process. This not only lets your clients get to know you a little before you work together, but it also shows that their business is important to you and that you are making them a priority.
Juggling A New Baby And A New Business:
Who says we can’t have it all? We can be great moms, great partners and great business owners all at the same time if that’s what we want. Natalie knew that trying to balance her full time job and her photography business was taking her away from precious time with her son. She made the decision to take the leap into working for herself with the knowledge that she needed systems in place so life didn’t get out of control.
Just like you schedule out your baby’s day with feedings, naps and play time, you can schedule out your business as well. Natalie likes to use a technique called Time Blocking. She choose 3 things to put on her to-do list (that aren’t everyday regularly scheduled tasks) and blocks out specific time to tackle them. This way she can get her work done in time to pick up her some from day care and still have plenty of time to enjoy spending time with him.
How Do You Know It’s Time To Leave That 9 To 5?:
The answer to this question will be different for everyone. In some cases it will be 6 months before your ready, or you might be ready to quit now and you’ve been putting it off. Most people will be the latter, waiting and waiting to leave that 9 to 5 until you’re oompelatley burnt out. Natalie advises to leave before you get to that point. Basically, make sure you aren’t so oompelatley burnt out from trying to juggle all the things that you have no energy to put into your business once you do quit.
Natale also has scheduled her payments to come at certain times so that she still gets some form of a paycheck. This is an especially a good idea if you work in a seasonal business like photography.
Natalie’s 4 Questions That Help Guide Her Decision Making:
Need some help deciding what to say yes to and what to say no to? Check out Natalie’s 4 questions that she asks herself each time she is faced with a decision. She says that she needs to say “yes’ to at least two of these before she says yes to the project.
1. Does it align with my core values?
2. Does it bring in money?
3. Does it drive the business forward?
4. Does it make a valuable connection I can’t live without?
Natalie is such a sweet soul and I know that her story and journey will touch a lot of people going through the same things. Her balanced and compassionate approach to business is a breath of fresh air in a world that can sometimes feel insensitive and harsh. If you take anything away from this episode I hope it’s this: You don’t have to do it alone. Life can get overwhelming sometimes when you are juggling numerous roles, from mom to wife to boss to overall superstar. If you need help or you have questions, just reach out. I promise there will be people there ready to help, ready to listen and ready to help lift you up as they also climb.
You can find Natalie at:
Website
@4cornersphoto
