Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meredith Hamrick. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Meredith, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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?
There are definitely moments where I think “Ugh! I wish I had started this sooner. I’d be further along by now, making more money and not dealing with this [insert current frustration]!”
And to be really honest (because we’re all friends here, right?) those moment usually creep in when I’m admiring someone else’s success…their momentum, their years of unseen hustle…and I start comparing it to where I am. Cue the mini pity party.
But here’s what I always come back to:
I needed to become *THIS* version of Meredith before I could launch my business.
Every chapter (Sales, Sales Manager, Corporate Training, Project Management, Sales Support, Inventory & Procurement) led me to discover my love of Accounting. I’m proud that I kept my passion for photography alive for 15 years. Especially when I saw so many of my talented friends burn out when they went full time. And it was becoming a mother that finally gave me the brave-crazy energy to leave a comfortable job and take a leap into business ownership.
Those years weren’t wasted. They were preparing me.
I get to serve my clients with a truly 360° view of business. That unique blend of experience is what sets me apart as both a bookkeeper & a photographer.
And when I see it that way, it helps me to stay present, grateful and focused on building a business that reflects who I really am. Right now.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! I’m Meredith, owner of MH Financial. I’m a bookkeeper and brand photographer serving small business owners who want to feel confident in their numbers and how they show up to the world.
My path into business wasn’t a straight line but it’s one that I am incredibly proud of. I spent years working in Sales, Corporate Training, Project Management and Procurement. That journey gave me a deep understanding of how a business runs from the inside out. It ultimately led me to fall in love with the clarity and structure of Accounting.
Around the same time, I became a mom and something in me shifted. I wanted to build a life and a business that modeled courage, kindness and creative freedom for my daughter. So in 2023, I launched a business that reflects all the parts of me.
As I was building my business plan, I realized I had another tool in my toolbox: photography. I’ve been a wedding and lifestyle photographer for over 15 years, always treating it as a passion project. But it felt like the right time to bring it into the heart of my business.
Now, I know what you might be thinking, “Bookkeeping and brand photography? Meredith, those don’t go together!”
But here’s the truth…they absolutely do! They both tell a story:
•Bookkeeping tells you the story of your business
•Brand photography tells your clients the story of who you are
And since I love them both and it’s my business…I figured, why choose?
I offer two core services designed to support small business owners both behind the scenes and in how they show up to the world: Bookkeeping and Brand Photography.
On the bookkeeping side, I help entrepreneurs feel organized, confident & in control of their business finances. I provide monthly bookkeeping, QuickBooks Online setup and ongoing support to help clients understand their numbers and make smart, data-driven decisions.
Through brand photography, I help business owners visually tell their story with confidence and authenticity. Whether it’s a personal brand shoot, updated headshots, or a content-focused session, we create strategic, scroll-stopping images that align with their values and attract their ideal clients.
Today, I support entrepreneurs with both their back-end bookkeeping and their front-facing brand photography. Making sure they feel supported, seen and successful in every part of their business.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The ENTIRE first year of my business was one big pivot. I swear I felt like a business ballerina with all the spinning I was doing!
Like many first-time entrepreneurs, I went in with a solid business plan. I had run it by my business advisor and trusted friends and we all agreed it was strong. But there is a big difference in the theoretical plan and what the real world wants.
Year One quickly became my “Year of Yes.”
Can you help with my logo? Sure!
Can you just set up my QuickBooks and walk away? Absolutely.
Can you manage my entire social media strategy? Why not?!
I said yes to a lot of things that felt exciting aaaand (let’s be honest) I needed the income. Most of those requests fell within my skill set so it felt easy to agree to the project even if it was outside of my original offerings.
At the end of the year, I took a week to review every project I’d taken on. I evaluated each one against key criteria:
•Was it profitable?
•How much time and energy did it require?
•Was I skilled at it or could I quickly scale it?
•Did my ideal client actually need this?
•Was it repeatable?
•And most importantly: Did I enjoy it?
Graphic design, for example, was something I loved dabbling in. It fascinated me! But it took me way too long to create work that was just…okay. Scaling that service would’ve meant a huge investment of time and resources. As much as it hurt to admit, it ultimately wasn’t the best fit for me.
Social media management? I was great at that! Content ideas, coordinating photoshoots, scheduling posts…you name it. But it was an energy drain. It’s a hungry beast that never stops needing attention. And there are amazing agencies out there who do it with far more depth around data and strategy than I can offer.
But here’s where the gold was:
I realized I love collaborating with small business owners and marketing teams to bring a brand’s story to life through imagery. I naturally slip into a brand’s voice, create visual campaigns aligned with their goals and deliver image galleries that are versatile, strategic and beautiful. That part of the puzzle? That’s my sweet spot.
That pivot of shifting from “doing it all” to focusing on what I do best has helped me refine my offerings, align my goals and better serve my clients. (And yes, I had a few bookkeeping pivots too, but those are probably less exciting to most folks… unless you’re a numbers nerd like me lol)
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Ohhh I have a few closely connected ones, so I’ll do my best not to be on my soapbox for too long!
I entered the workforce in 2005 and let me tell you…the early 2000s were a weird time. Especially for women. The message was clear: if you wanted a seat at the table, you had to fight like hell for it. You could claw your way in by being the most cutthroat, or ingratiate yourself to a higher up by being ultra helpful (and ultimately taking on wayyyyy too much work for no pay), or by leveraging your appearance…but whatever path you chose, you were definitely not supposed to show vulnerability. Or be too loud. Or too ambitious. Or too smart. Really don’t be “too much” of anything.
So for years, I tried to climb the corporate ladder within those unspoken rules. And I’ll be honest, none of it ever felt right. The people I saw “succeed” often weren’t people I admired. And the rare unicorns who made it to the top while staying true to themselves were few and far between.
Somewhere along the way, I started shrinking myself to fit into those boxes. I quieted my voice. I played it small. I tried to be digestible. And I was miserable.
My creativity suffered. My confidence eroded. My spark dimmed.
When I finally decided to start my own business, I made a conscious decision to unlearn all of that. I built my business on the values of kindness, curiosity, growth and genuine support. I stopped apologizing for being “too much.”
Because yes…I’m loud. I talk A LOT. I wear bright colors and bold prints. I ask big questions. I care deeply. And that’s exactly what makes me good at what I do.
There are so many bookkeepers and photographers out there…and I celebrate that! I know I will find the people I am meant to support because I show up as my full self.
I want to create a business community rooted in generosity and inclusion. I’m the type who will scoot over, pull up a chair and invite someone else to the table. Because I genuinely believe there’s more than enough room for everyone. And I’ll be the first to say, “Hey, this client isn’t quite right for me, but I know someone who would be a perfect fit.”
That’s the kind of business I want to run and feel so incredibly fortunate to be building it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mhfinancialokc.com
- Instagram: @mhfinancialokc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561053412259
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-hamrick-59999b13/
Image Credits
All images are mine (MH Financial)