We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Allison Schmitz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Allison below.

Allison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

In February of 2021, I had the idea of opening a studio space. Our idea for this studio space would be that it could be rented for photography and small parties by the hour. I came home one day and pitched the idea to my husband. At the time, I envisioned this could be a project that we could work on and maybe open in five years or so. My husband being who he is asked, “why not now?” and we began touring commercial spaces that week. We signed the commercial lease and it was one of the most nerve-wrecking things I have ever done.

Every night for weeks I would be waking up in the middle of the night, wondering if we would be able to do it or if I just ruined my family’s financial future. What if we wouldn’t be able to make the commercial rent? What if this investment didn’t pull through? What if it was too early? I have had these fears in the past with my other businesses, but this one actually felt like a large risk. We went from not having a business, to creating one based on a minimum of a three year commercial lease – and that felt incredibly daunting.

We opened officially in June of 2021 and truly never could have predicted the overwhelming response. We have been booked every weekend since the beginning and so much of it has been such a blessing. Taking this risk has made me feel like I can take others.

Allison, 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?

After moving to the Dallas area in the middle of 2017 post Baylor graduation, I was passionate about starting a career in mental health counseling. So what happened? I started some wedding business: coordinating and photography, in order to make some extra cash while I was in school. That’s all it was, a side hustle to keep us going. When I finally graduated with my masters degree in 2021, I had somewhat accidentally created a career for myself in the wedding industry. While working with weddings and events, I fell in love with the idea of owning a wedding venue one day. I photographed in some studios on occasion and thought an event studio could be a great set of training wheels for this. In June of 2021, we opened Studio V + V in the beautiful Addison Circle area.

Studio V + V is utilized for photographers as well as any kind of small event you can think of up to 45 guests: baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties, graduation parties, rehearsal dinners, and even small weddings. Studio V + V is a solution for friends and families that may not have a great space to host, but do not want too large of a space. Studio V + V is also conveniently and centrally located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

We are so proud of our studio and what we have done to make it what it is today. We are so thankful for all of the people who have hosted events in the studio and all of the creatives who have hosted pop ups, classes and more! We are looking forward to the future of Studio V + V and new locations in the future.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe that my reputation within our market has been built by showing up. Business ownership today is so much more than sitting behind a computer, but showing up when it matters for face to face interaction. I am confident that my real friend connections in the industry has absolutely contributed to my success as a business owner. It is not always easy to show up and to make real connections with others – but it is always, always worth it.

My advice would be to not be afraid to look for ways that you can show up and meet people doing what you do. One of those ways I have tried to show up is by creating a group called Union Makers (@union.makers) with my friend and a photographer Madi McGraw.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I would say our best source for new clients has been mostly word of mouth. Every event that takes place in the studio brings in even more people that get to experience being in it. This has been extremely powerful advertising. We have also sourced clients from the website Peerspace and we have loved working with them as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studiovandv.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/studiovandv
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thestudiovandv

Image Credits
@veilandvinephoto @chandlerjphoto