We were lucky to catch up with Leah VanHoose recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Leah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I have worked for myself since 2001. I have been many things but working for myself has always been top on my priority list. I started out as a massage therapist opening up my own studio and transitioning into a Crossfit affiliate owner and after 10 years I sold the gym and moved to Florida. Here I have had a photography business for 9 years and a realtor for the past 4 years. I recently bought my first condo in Panama City Beach as a short-term rental. As a business owner for the past 22 years I’ve pretty much followed my heart and it’s not always profitable or stable. I’ve wondered what it would be like to have a steady paycheck and benefits, but I can’t seem to commit to someone else’s business. I know what I need to do for me and I’m not willing to give that to someone else. I know myself and I know I am doing what is best for me and that makes me happy.

Leah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I just turned 50. I have been a business owner and entrepreneur for the past 22 years. I have always followed the self-improvement path. I started as a massage therapist, turned gym owner turned photographer, and a short-term rental owner. I’ve always wanted to help people. To show them how much better they can be. To help them to love themselves and the life they lead.

I have alopecia and have been bald for the past 15 years. I think my process of acceptance of my baldness has been an inspiration to others to find their inner beauty.

When I look down the path I have taken to where I am now I can see how each decision I have made has led me to the life I love and my ability to share that love with other people.

Finding Beautiful Photography is all about seeing your beauty thru my lens. And Dream a Little Dream PCB is providing a space to live in beauty for just a little while.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I owned and operated a CrossFit affiliate for close to 10 years. It was my baby. My obsession. I loved and still love that gym. My husband got a new job in Louisiana and when we were there checking it out we discovered the gulf coast of Florida and 30A. I had no idea beaches like this existed in the United States. We hung out for 3 days drinking beer in the Gulf of Mexico and decided this is where we were going to live. We went home and proceeded to change our lives. I sold the gym and bought a shit shack at the beach(it needed a LOT of work). I still miss my gym but I love this place and the life we have created here at the beach.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Around the same time I opened my gym, my hair started falling out. I had no idea what was happening and how it would completely change me but that’s exactly what it did. I was diagnosed with Alopecia and have been bald for the past 15 years. My twin boys are afflicted as well. As I built my gym I built my confidence. I resisted so hard at first. Scared to death to bare my head in public but over time I grew to accept and even embrace my bald head. I wouldn’t even want my hair back now. I have a good-shaped head so it works. With every job I have had I have tried to empower others to love themselves and take care of their bodies and minds. I suppose I had to work through it first to be able to be more genuine to teach it to others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.leahvanhoosephotography.com and www.dreamalittledreampcb.com
• Instagram: @finding_beautiful_photography and. @dream_a_little_dream_pcb
• Facebook: @Finding Beautiful Leah VanHoose Photography. and @Dream a little Dream PCB
• Other: I have had and do have so many different businesses and they all kinda mold together so I’m not sure which you would like to share.