Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aspen Landers. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Aspen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission is to create unforgettable memories for clients by capturing them in different ways through photos, boomerangs, GIFs, videos, Glam Booth, Digital Mask, Digital Filters, Custom Screens, Custom Overlays, and much more. Our team ensures that every event is memorable and enjoyable by providing a range of services, from custom props to a red carpet and backdrop. Customers often tell us that the photo booth was the icing on the cake. It brings people together and creates an environment of fun and enjoyment, regardless of age. Our ultimate goal is to provide a fun and engaging experience for everyone at the event.

A &K: Capturing memories for a lifetime

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?

A & K Memories LLC is a woman-owned business that I am proud to own. Every year, I throw a birthday party for my daughter, Ka’liyah, who is now 9 years old. She is not only my heart but also my little partner in the business. The name of the business is inspired by her, as she is the “K” in A & K. Teaching her about entrepreneurship at a young age is important to me, and I will always support her in whatever she chooses to do in life. Time flies by so quickly, and it feels like only yesterday she was just one year old. I am so proud of how smart and talented she is, and I can hardly believe she’s almost done with third grade.

The idea of starting a photo booth business first came to mind at Ka’liyah’s parties. We always had trouble getting everyone in the photo, and someone was always left taking the picture. However, the idea came back to me during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a difficult time for everyone. This period gave me a chance to reflect and think about what I could do to create something of my own. Having a backup plan was important to me, and my strict upbringing instilled that in me.

I grew up in a strict household, but it made me who I am today. I learned the importance of having a backup plan, and that mindset has stayed with me throughout my life.

I always knew I wanted to start something of my own, even when I was little, but I never knew what it would be. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to find a way to create memories and still have a good time. Although my photo booth business came a bit later, it was still a great time since we could finally be outside and people were starting to have events again with family and friends. 

One cool thing about the booth is that it has a virtual feature, so people from all over the world can participate and have fun. This feature has been a big hit at weddings, birthdays, graduations, and corporate events. Guests who can’t attend the event receive a link to the virtual booth, where they can take photos, boomerangs, GIFs, and videos with audio that go straight to the booth for everyone to see. Seeing the look on people’s faces when they receive a video or photo on the booth is priceless.

I love having memories of special occasions and being around people who care. I wanted to have something to do with my daughter, so I thought a photo booth would be nice and something we could both learn and enjoy together. My daughter, who is 9 years old, is great with technology, and she taught me a lot about the booth. She enjoys it, and I do too. I wanted something that could bring family and friends together at events and have a great time, regardless of age. The photo booth is fun for all ages.

We started with one photo booth, and it took about a year to create a vision board of where I wanted to go with this idea, how much it would cost, and how to get properly structured.

At first, I would sometimes step away from the photo booth idea, but I would always come right back to it the next day. I asked my daughter Ka’liyah what she thought about the idea, and of course, she thought it was cool. She is very creative and helps a lot with the booth, especially during test days when we run through the event before taking it to the actual event. Although she doesn’t attend most events, except for little kids’ parties, sometimes, she is very much a part of the business.

I spoke to my mom about the photo booth idea and called her up at midnight, half asleep. She asked me to send her a message about it. The next morning, she called me back and said she thought it was a great idea. My mom is my rock and the most supportive person I know. Whenever we have an event, she is always there to help.

Once I ordered my first booth, it was on backorder, and I didn’t tell anyone about it. I research and remain silent until I know everything is real, and I can deliver the product. Once I have an idea, I put my all into it and just go for it. Starting a business is a learning process, and you won’t know everything going into it, but you learn along the way.

I am also a flight attendant and mobile notary, so finding time was a challenge, but I always make sure to see things through. Meeting different people from all over and talking to them while traveling made me think more about my dreams and starting my own business. I wanted to create something that I could share with my family and start a new chapter of something more. After struggling to find the right name, I finally settled on A & K Memories LLC, inspired by me and my daughter, a mother and daughter duo creating memories that people will cherish forever.

I saved up and reinvested, and last September, I was able to get a second booth, the popular 360 booth, which creates amazing videos. Now we have two booths – the digital booth, which is a 4-in-1 booth that not only takes photos but also creates boomerangs, GIFs, videos with audio, and more, all of which are sent digitally instantly through text, email, and airdrop.

Starting the business was slow, but I knew nothing in life is easy, and I had to learn the business. The support and love shown by my family and friends have been so special. It means a lot when your inner circle supports what you do, and I’m really big on my friends and family. The photo booth is about sharing those special moments with people. We have been lucky to work with such great people, and we love our clients, including those who hire us for birthday parties, weddings, graduations, school dances, fundraisers, sororities, and companies such as 614 Magazine, Columbus Urban League, City of Columbus, and many more.

I am very proud to have worked with such amazing people in such a short time. Every client is appreciated and valued, and client satisfaction is our top goal. This is their day, and we want to make sure it is special for them and their guests.

I’ve been a flight attendant for almost seven years now, and it’s crazy how time flies. I started when my daughter was two, and she is now nine. I love flying and being up in the air. It’s such a rewarding job because you get to meet new people and go to new places, including different countries. I feel like I’m a nurse, firefighter, and everything else in the air.

First impressions are everything, especially when you’re in the air. You get to meet so many people from all over the world, and it never gets old. I live in Columbus, Ohio, and I’m based in Chicago, so I commute to work, go to the airport, and start my flights out of Chicago.

Flying is not easy, but it’s so rewarding. You’re in front of hundreds of people all the time, so you can’t hide if you’re having a bad day. You have to be mindful of first-time flyers, little kids, and others who are nervous or excited to meet you and fly on a plane. I love giving kids their first flight wings and seeing their cute little smiles. It’s such a fun job, but it can also be emotional because you’re responsible for hundreds of people. Sometimes, you may have a shaky flight, but you can’t panic because you need to make sure passengers are calm and that they reach their destination safely.

It’s so rewarding when a passenger tells you that they had an amazing flight and remember it, especially if it’s their first time flying. I love this job because I’ve been able to take my daughter, her dad, and my family with me to some amazing places. It has opened my eyes to so much more and is one of the reasons why I’m such a go-getter. Meeting so many people and seeing that there is so much more to life has shown me that there’s no limit to what I can do.

I am also a mobile notary and I love it! I became one during the Covid pandemic and it’s fulfilling to assist clients with their documents. It’s a great feeling to help them worry less and get their documents in on time. Not everyone can make it to the bank during work hours, and I understand that as I can relate to people having different schedules. That’s where I come in, I go to them as a mobile notary. I have built a significant clientele and even gained returning clients and friends from it. 

I’m most proud of my determination and going for what I want. I’m not afraid of what people will think or how they’ll feel about my next move. I live my life to the fullest and I’m teaching my daughter the same. I’m not perfect and have fallen many times, but I always find a way to get back up. I’m constantly learning daily, and I encourage people to go after what they want if it keeps calling them. I try to lead by example because my daughter watches my every move. Don’t be scared to create your reality, and never hold back. Just like the saying goes, “closed mouths don’t get fed,” so speak up and go after what you want.

Another thing that sets me apart from others is that I operate a mobile business model for both my mobile notary and photo booth services. I intentionally created a business where I go to clients instead of them coming to me, which brings a lot of relief and helps people. I love that the photo booth is mobile, and we can come to the client to help them create beautiful memories. We also offer a virtual booth for guests who can’t attend in person. Our red carpet layout always gets compliments, and sometimes clients don’t even know what a photo booth is until we set up and they’re amazed by the professional setup. It’s not just a photo booth; it’s an experience that I’m passionate about.

I get emotional sometimes when I read the reviews people leave after their event. It means so much to me that they take the time to leave feedback, even days or weeks after the party is over. We’ve received five-star reviews, and I appreciate and value every client, no matter where they’re located. Feedback is everything in business, and it can make or break you.

At the end of the day, the client didn’t have to choose us, but they did. We have a lot of returning clients and referrals, which speaks volumes. I love my city and the community, and it feels great when they support my business. I’m inspired to keep going and continue to provide an exceptional experience for every client.

It hasn’t been easy for me so far as I had to learn a lot and still continue to learn. One of the things I had to learn was balance because being a mother is important to me, and spending time with my daughter is a top priority. I had to make sure I turned off work mode and had fun with her, especially during the pandemic when she was at home, and I had to put things on hold a lot. We had to be teachers too, so I was at home a lot helping her with lessons and assignments. It was a challenging time where we really learned about each other and ourselves.

Starting a business was not easy, but I learned it with the help of my family, including my mom, stepdad, my partner, his sister and parents, my brother, and my aunt, who I consider a second mom. It takes a village, and they helped me with everything, including building clientele, setting up systems and contracts, marketing, and approaching clients. They helped out so much with Ka’liyah when I needed them so that I could focus on the business.  This way I was able to learn how to build clientele, setup systems and contracts, marketing, and approaching clients. 

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Persistence got me where I am today, and I still have a long way to go with my photo booth business. However, I’m grateful for the support of my loved ones and the opportunity to balance my work and motherhood.

In addition to working my job, I was also learning how to become a mobile notary and starting a photo booth business. It was a lot to handle, and there were times when I wanted to give up, but I didn’t tell anyone. I had to learn everything about the photo booth business and the process of getting it started, which wasn’t easy. It was a challenge to make time for everything, and I had to overcome financial obstacles and think about equipment and costs.

It took me months of trial and error to learn the best ways to build relationships and get clients. I faced a lot of “no’s,” but hearing “yes” made it all worth it. When people believe in you, it motivates you to keep going. Starting a business requires wearing many hats, and I had to learn how to find balance and make time for everything.

I had to think like a business owner and understand that nothing happens overnight. It takes hard work, persistence, and learning from mistakes. There were times when I was stressed out and had breakdowns, but I never complained and talked myself through it. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far and know that I still have a long way to go.

It hasn’t been easy for me as I’ve had to learn a lot and continue to learn. As a mother, spending time with my daughter is important, and I take that seriously. I had to learn balance and turn off work and business mode to have fun with her. During the pandemic, she was at home, and I had to put things on hold a lot because my daughter comes first. 

Before the pandemic, dropping your child off at school for most of the day allowed parents to go to work. However, with home being the school during the pandemic, we had to create the same learning environment but also a fun environment for our child. It was a daily challenge, and I think it was a time when we learned about each other the most. We needed each other, not just her needing me. She gave me so much strength during that time.

Starting a business is never easy, and it was a slow start for me. However, I had to learn the business and continue to learn. It’s a constant process, but nothing in life is easy. As a parent, it’s important to find balance and prioritize your child’s needs, especially during challenging times.

I faced a lot of obstacles and had to learn many things, such as how to build relationships, take different approaches, and learn on my own. It took months of trial and error to get my first client, but hearing “yes” made it all worth it. When you have people who believe in you, it motivates you to keep going.

Starting a business requires wearing many hats, and I had to learn how to find balance and prioritize my time. It takes hard work, persistence, and learning from mistakes. I had to start thinking like a business owner and understand that success doesn’t happen overnight.

We are proud to offer two amazing photo booths! To inquire, please reach out to A & K Memories at 614-905-4595 or by email at [email protected], or use the contact form on our website. We cater to all types of events, including weddings, birthdays, dances, sports events, corporate events, sororities, reunions, and much more! Our photo booths allow guests to take photos, videos, and capture memories that will last a lifetime.

At A & K Memories, customer service is our top priority. We listen to our customers’ needs and wants, and we value and appreciate each and every client. We offer different packages that start with a two-hour minimum, and we are located in Columbus, Ohio. We are also happy to travel outside of Columbus for an additional travel fee.

Our digital photo booth is loaded with features, including unlimited photos, boomerangs, GIFs, videos, glam, digital masks, custom overlays, custom props, and much more. We also offer a virtual booth, allowing guests who can’t attend your event to tap in from anywhere and have their photos and videos sent directly to the booth’s live gallery. This way, they can still be a part of your event and create memories with their loved ones.

Our 360-photo booth offers even more features, including custom overlays, music selection, professional attendants, stanchions, red carpet, custom props, and much more. We are proud to be a woman-owned business, and we encourage everyone to never give up on their dreams.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve learned that it’s important to pursue what you want in life and it’s never too late to start. Waiting for the “perfect time” is not always the best approach. I’ve also learned to be hands-on and that visual aids are helpful for me. In business, it’s crucial to do your research, but you can never fully prepare for every situation that may arise. Every day brings new challenges and experiences that require flexibility and adaptability.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My most effective strategy has been to learn and understand my clients’ needs and wants, and to provide excellent customer service. This approach has not only led to satisfied customers but has also resulted in new clients through word-of-mouth referrals and consistent marketing efforts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.akmemories.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_kmemories/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075754316899
• Other: You can reach us by the Contact form on the Website or Email: [email protected] Phone:614-905-4595