We were lucky to catch up with Jene Freeman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jene, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

Scaling Selfie Shots Photobooth was a crucial step for our success. In a growing business, focusing on longevity and increased revenue is essential. Our foundation began with refining our target audience. We first identified the clients we wanted to work with, and everything fell into place from there.
We invested in better equipment
-Enhanced training
-Improved visibility
-Undertook a complete rebranding
This approach helped us create an attractive presence for the clientele we aimed to attract. It’s vital to position yourself as the service or product your ideal client desires while ensuring that their expectations align with how you present yourself, your brand, and your content.
I learned that to scale effectively, you must be selective about your clients; not every client will be the right fit. Once you identify your ideal client, everything becomes much clearer. With this strategy, we successfully increased our revenue by over 60%.

Jene, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Introducing Myself and Selfie Shots Photobooth
I am the founder and lead designer/creative director of Selfie Shots Photobooth. I play multiple roles within the business, as I truly enjoy every step of the process from inquiry to execution. Based in Philadelphia, we are now expanding into Delaware as of 2024. Since our establishment in 2022, the concept originated while I was planning my own wedding. With just six months to go, I sought additional entertainment for my guests and explored photobooth options. At that time, I found them quite expensive (though I now appreciate their value), which inspired me to consider purchasing my own for family and friends.
A bit of background: I’ve always been the friend with the camera. Back in grad school, I carried my disposable camera to capture moments and create albums. When platforms like MySpace emerged, I was the one sharing pictures of everyone. My passion for capturing memories runs deep. Thus, when I finally got my own photobooth and witnessed the magic it created at my wedding, Selfie Shots was born.
Our Mission and Values
We address the need for creating memories at all types of events. Additionally, we enhance engagement and reach through unique data analytics and branding strategies. We take great pride in the relationships we build with our clients and the positive reviews we receive.
We have formed strong partnerships with large universities, corporations, and other production companies, allowing us to project revenue accurately and strategically plan our calendar. What distinguishes us from other photobooth companies is our commitment to caring beyond just providing a service. We strive to foster relationships rather than mere transactions.
We remember our roots, and for four years, we have successfully engaged every lead we receive. We genuinely care about our clients and maintain a process to ensure alignment between their needs and our offerings. As I mentioned earlier, not every client is the right fit for us.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for building our client base has undeniably been automation and systems. We heavily rely on our CRM, HoneyBook, and our website to handle much of the work involved in nurturing our clients. In nearly all client reviews, we are recognized for our excellent communication and straightforward, hassle-free processes. We strive to eliminate any obstacles that might prevent us from standing out and ensuring clients feel they can trust us.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One significant lesson I had to unlearn, which I’ve mentioned in previous responses, is that not every client is the right fit for you. During our first year in business, we struggled with this concept, leading to burnout and not reaping the rewards of our hard work because we accepted every client that came our way. In our industry, it’s tempting to take on every type of event and budget; however, once we aligned our services and set clear qualifications, we eliminated many obstacles.
It’s possible to genuinely want to serve people while also maintaining standards that uphold the integrity of our business. This is exactly what we did. We revamped our booking strategy, shifting from lower-tier packages and numerous events to focusing on mid- to high-tier packages with fewer events. The advantage of this approach is that we now retain more income by working smarter instead of harder.
Previously, we would take on ten clients at $600 each, but now we book five clients at $1,500 each. There’s nothing wrong with the $600 client, but when you have a clear alignment and strategy for running your business with specific standards and revenue goals, the “work smarter, not harder” approach consistently prevails. Additionally, as a mother of three and a wife, I value my time in a different way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.selfieshots.info/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfieshotsbooth
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfieshotsphotobooth
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@selfieshotsbooth

Image Credits

@deargracephotos
@rashiid.marcell
@_certified