We were lucky to catch up with Tracey Garrett recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tracey, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
I’m not happy as a business owner…yet. I have a long way to go before I feel that I can be content with what I do and how I am. That mindset keeps me level. I often think about a regular job, but then I think back to when I was in the military and realized how miserable I was. Everything about my situation was depressing. No freedom, asking permission to take time for myself, finding out my superiors got more credit for doing nothing than the people who actually put in hard work. A regular job doing what you love is great if I can do what I like and be proud of my work, and feel validated about what I’m doing then that 9-5 would be great but until then the business owner lifestyle is for me.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Tracey Garrett; I go by Trace for most people, My Instagram is tracegproduction, and I’m a photographer, videographer, and owner of PhD studios in Glendale. I have been in the photography field for seven years, and I’ve been doing production work for four. I provide everything and do everything that relates to camera work and production. My clients and customers come to me knowing they’ll get quality and efficient production work or some really great photos. I give a better insight into ones on perspective on themselves and make sure they have a genuine experience. I adapt to what they need and desire to get the job done. If you’re a talker, we will talk, if you are the silent type, then silence is crucial, but the job will get done with little to no stress if I can help it. I know camera, editing, sound, light and provide deluxe studio space for privacy, comfort, and professionalism. I’m very proud that most of my clientele come back with the mindset that they have nothing to worry about when it comes to my service and personality. Most problems and issues in life can be talked out. I understand venting and being honest with oneself is crucial for many people, so an unbias ear brings comfort to my production and shoots.
We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.
My business partners are Steve Pandi, owner of Epic House, rock star, E-commerce seller, and fellow co-owner of Phd Studios. My other business partner is Marcel Roshto, a fellow photographer, Veteran, production expert, and c0-owner of Phd Studios. I met Steve through a friend of mine, one day, he brought me along to help with a brand shoot, and when I met Steve, he irradiated natural energy. Being the extroverted character he was, he started telling me about his success and his failure with open honesty and clarity. I was skeptical at first; by nature, I like to observe people and see how they change and adapt in different scenarios, but as we hung out and talked, he remained the same guy since the day I met him. He invites me out and lets me use his fantastic production house when I need it. He knew I don’t use someone’s business unless I can pay them and being a “from the bottom,” and he understood that and still insisted. I had to start calling him friend, and you don’t let people like that go.
I met Marcel through Steve. He came off quiet and focused as Steve introduced us. He was a hardcore introvert who had a rough, honest nature that I was all too familiar with, and immediately I knew….military. Once our conversation became more in-depth, I started to understand and relate to him in so many ways our friendship became locked in with little to no effort. He began with a small studio, we hung out, and he explained his ambition for Photography, and I had an idea that he loves shooting. His Photography was detailed, and it had quality, confirming what I already knew. I like honest people, cut to the point but still have some reserve against it. The friendship was going to happen whether he wanted it or not.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I like myself, and I project that to my customers and clientele. That helped build my reputation the most, in my opinion. I know I’m not perfect by any means. I’m rough around the edges to talk fast, but it doesn’t bother me, or I don’t project it. When managing my clientele, I want them to see that I’m just as human as them. I also have insecurities, and I point them out with a smile and laugh. There is nothing wrong with being a goofy human being on planet earth. Suppose a client is feeling wrong about something or anything. I do my best to compensate in some form or fashion that doesn’t make them or, more importantly, me uncomfortable. I end most of my confirmations with my saying of, “Easy day.” So they know it’s not a problem and that it will get done. When people interact with each other, they’ll occasionally say my phrase and understand they have a close connection with me. The market is all about personal relationships and comforts. It’s my job as a business owner and man to maintain my reputation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tracgphotography.com
- Instagram: tracegproductions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-garrett-3b3675122/
Image Credits
Jori Charlie Jada