I love hearing about people who are keeping it real.
The ones who are juggling this crazy thing called life, and a family, all while growing their business, their way.
Because the truth is, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns all of the time.
But it is worth it in the end.
In the #RealLifeBiz interview series, I talk to some of my favourite people about how they do what they do.
And this week we are talking to the amazing Renee Shea.
So, what do you do?
A lot of stuff!
A couple of days a week I’m an organisational development advisor for a government department. I help teams understand what skills they need to develop to deliver on their work goals. I also do a whole-lotta communication and promoting of learning programs internally.
A couple of other days in the week I am a personal branding photographer for small business owners. I work with peeps looking to amplify their professional personal brand. I specialise in branding photoshoots and brand makeovers because the strategy, and colour psychology, and archetypes – well, they’re all my jam.
I am also a single mumma of two, retro caravan renovator and wine and coffee drinker.
How long have you been doing it?
I’ve been a photographer for near on ten years. I started with photographing my kids, then other people’s. But I moved into the branding and headshot work about three years ago. I love it..
What does “balance” mean to you/look like for you?
It looks like my daughter walking on a log fence at the park. Seriously. That’s as close as I get to ‘balance’ in any format in my life.
I am a bit of an ‘anti-balance’ crusader to be honest. It’s the word. It suggests that all things are evenly matched; equal. What a bollocks! If work is hammering me, then my house is a mess. If I spend hours on end doing crafts and ‘optional extra’ homework with the kids, then bills don’t get paid. Sometimes some things get more attention than others. But it’s swings and roundabouts.
It’s a constant process of assessing and evaluating what’s on the list. Being willing to let things go (ahem… the current state of my car is an indication to this) and focusing ‘all in’ on others is how it works for me.
What does a normal week include?
I work my ‘day-job’ three days a week. They are big days with school drop-offs, after school care, late night dinner and maybe a bit of editing or emails once the babes are in bed.
Thursday and Friday are shoot days. There is so much variation in how these can happen, whether it’s on premises at a clients office, in the studio, or we are wandering around various cool Brisbane locations getting them ‘funky backdrops’.
If there’s no shoot scheduled it’s all about content, content, content. I might be writing blog posts, email newsletters, doing client edits or the prepping the endless stream social media posts.
I try my best to have solid ‘kid time’ on the weekends. But there is always on the couch watching Netflix editing or late night web updates going on.
What’s the best thing about being your own boss?
Being the one that makes the decisions.
Being responsible for these decisions… good or bad.
Seeing the direct impact of the work that I do. It’s tangible.
The ability to schedule things the way I want to.
And what’s the worst?
The endless doubt and shutting off the brain. Is my work good enough? Do I know how to do x,y,z? Should I do platform a or b? How should I approach this challenge? It doesn’t stop.
When times are good, how do you celebrate?
Wine and burgers. I’m a simple girl.
When things are crappy, how do you handle it?
To be honest, I cry. I berate myself for my apparent failings and I send messages to my support crew asking whether or not I can keep on doing it. I sulk a bit on the couch (with wine) and watch youtube videos of artists and photographers and usually get inspired to keep on going. Sometimes I will take my little caravan away to the beach for the weekend and just disconnect.
I want to make this business work. I am committed to the goals I have. You need to be stubborn. Things do get crappy. You do need to be able to pick yourself up and keep going.
What’s the long term plan? (Keep working, build an empire, sell, retire, etc)
Long term I would like to transition my business to a full time role. I have big dreams about brand photography world domination and writing a book that inspires plus size women to get out and rock their business dreams.
What is one piece of advice you would give anyone running their own business?
Get professional headshots taken. 😉
Okay, seriously… go easy on yourself. You’ll make mistakes. You will lose money. But you’ll also do amazing things. Help people. Don’t just focus on the losses. Pick up and keep going. Also, unfollow people on social media who make you feel like you aren’t good enough. That shit is insidious.
Oh, and really… get good headshots.
Thanks Renee
Sam’s post interview notes:
Renee is a girl after my own heart. I’m all about the wine and the burgers… and found myself nodding along with so many of the answers above.