We recently connected with Richard Chesney and have shared our conversation below.

Richard, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I could go back in time, I honestly think I started my business at the right time for me. I launched my business in 2010 with a very specific goal in mind — to create an income stream I could rely on during my retirement years.

At the time, I was thinking long-term. I didn’t want to wait until I was older to start figuring out how to stay financially stable. I wanted to build something that could support me, keep me active, and give me some freedom when I reached that stage of life.

Would starting sooner have helped? Maybe. I could’ve had more years to grow the business, make connections, and learn the ropes. But back then, I wasn’t in the right place personally or career-wise to really commit. Timing is everything — I needed those years before 2010 to gain experience, build confidence, and prepare for that leap.

What if I started later? Honestly, I think that would’ve been a mistake. The earlier I started laying the foundation, the better positioned I’d be by the time I reached retirement age.

Looking back, I feel good about the timing. I gave myself a head start on building something sustainable, and that peace of mind is priceless.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who may not have heard of me or my business before — I’m Richard Chesney, founder of Apixture Photo Booth, based right here in Arizona. I started this business back in 2010 as part of my long-term plan to create income for my retirement years. But over time, it turned into much more than just a business — it became a way to bring joy, fun, and lasting memories to people’s biggest life moments.

How I got into this industry:
I’ve always enjoyed technology and finding creative ways to enhance events. Photo booths were becoming more popular, but I noticed there was a real need for services that felt personal, professional, and hassle-free — especially for weddings, corporate parties, and community events. That’s where Apixture was born.

What we provide:
We offer modern, sleek photo booth rentals that add excitement and entertainment to any event. Our booths are easy to use, customizable with fun props, digital sharing options, and high-quality prints. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, school event, or company party, we help guests connect, laugh, and walk away with keepsakes they’ll treasure. We cover Arizona, Southern California and Las Vegas.

What sets us apart:

Personal touch: I handle every booking personally to make sure your event runs smoothly.
Professional quality: Clean setups, premium prints, and reliable service — no headaches, no surprises.
Customization: From backdrops to templates, we tailor the experience to match your event vibe.
Experience: With over a decade in the business, I know how to read the room, engage guests, and ensure everything flows perfectly.
What problems we solve:
Planning an event is stressful enough — the last thing clients need is worrying about their photo booth not showing up, breaking down, or underwhelming guests. I take pride in delivering a reliable, seamless experience that keeps the energy high and gives guests something to talk about — and take home — long after the party ends.

What I’m most proud of:
It’s seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter, and knowing I played a small part in someone’s special day. Over the years, I’ve helped create memories for hundreds of events, and it never gets old watching people light up in front of the camera.

What I want people to know:
Apixture isn’t just about snapping pictures — it’s about creating experiences. I care about my clients, I value relationships, and I’m here to help make your event unforgettable.

If you want stress-free, professional, and fun photo booth service — let’s make it happen.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Funding my business was all about planning ahead and being disciplined. When I started Apixture Photo Booth back in 2010, I knew I didn’t want to take on debt or rely on loans. I wanted to build something solid that wouldn’t put extra financial strain on me, especially since part of my goal was preparing for retirement.

The initial capital came straight from my personal savings and my 401K. I made the decision early on to reinvest in myself, and I paid cash for everything — equipment, supplies, marketing — the entire setup. It took some sacrifice and patience, but the result is a business that’s been 100% debt free from day one.

Looking back, I’m proud I took that route. It gave me peace of mind knowing I wasn’t tied to payments or lenders, and it allowed me to grow the business at my own pace. Staying debt free has kept the stress low and the focus on providing the best possible service to my clients.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe what really helped me build a solid reputation in my market comes down to a few key things: reliability, professionalism, and making the entire process easy for clients.

From day one with Apixture Photo Booth, I made sure people could count on me — showing up on time, delivering exactly what I promised, and keeping the event stress-free. People are trusting you with their special moments — weddings, birthdays, corporate parties — and there’s no room for mistakes.

A big part of building that reputation has also been offering a user-friendly website, where clients can easily check availability, book their event, sign electronic contracts, and make payments — all in one place. It simplifies the process and gives people peace of mind, knowing everything is organized and professional from start to finish.

What sets me apart? Clean setups, high-quality equipment, fun props, reliable service, and a smooth, hassle-free booking process. I don’t cut corners, and my clients see that.

Word of mouth has been huge for me. When people have a great experience, they share it — and that’s helped my reputation grow year after year.

At the end of the day, your reputation is everything. I’ve always believed that if you take care of people and make it easy for them to work with you, the business takes care of itself — and that mindset has served me well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.apixture.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apixture/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Apixture
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apixture-photo-booth-1613594a/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Apixture
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Apixture
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/apixture-photo-booth-buckeye-2

Image Credits

Apixture LLC