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

Hi Arianna, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I truly believe that success looks different to each individual. To determine what it takes for you to be successful, I think you need to decide what success looks like to you.

Being in a creative field, my idea of success stems from multiple areas. Am I doing work that fulfills me? Is the work I’m producing exceeding my client’s expectations? And of course, am I earning enough income to support myself? While many people can equate success to wealth, “there is so much more to success than just the amount you earn. If you’re making a good living, but in a job that you can’t stand, are you really successful?

I think there are a few principles that align with what it takes to be successful. First, hard work. Doing the bare minimum and coasting will not result in a successful career. Second, are you doing work that you can be proud of? If you’re producing outstanding work that you can take pride in, success will follow. Finally, are you hitting your goals? Because success looks different to everyone, only you can deem if the work you’re doing is succeeding. If you’re setting goals and continuously hitting them, that’s something to be extremely proud of.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I operate a food photography and recipe creation company that produces invaluable content for businesses by providing captivating images, detailed recipes, and drool-worthy videos. I started my company in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic after losing my marketing job. I always loved to cook and had gotten into food photography during my senior year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The pandemic provided an opportunity to take a leap of faith to explore my passion, and it ended up being the best decision I ever made.

I’m able to work with a variety of clientele, from magazines to niche brands and restaurants. I take great pride in the fact that my work can influence others to try a new dish. I believe that’s one of the greatest perks of my job, being able to introduce others to something new. Likewise, nothing makes me happier than being able to provide content that my clients are excited about showcasing.

One thing I believe sets me apart from others in my industry is that I’m a recipe creator first, and a food photographer second. What I mean by that is while most people see the image or video as the “hero,” I’m focused on the recipe. It’s easy to capture a delicious dish and thus, convince someone to try it; however, everything falls apart if the recipe doesn’t hold up. Then, all you’re left with is a beautiful picture with a bad recipe. My primary goal is to produce recipes for my clients that are so delicious that the client’s audience will keep coming back to try new dishes because they know the photos will match the quality of the recipe.

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

I’ve learned that it’s more effective to maintain a relationship than constantly be searching for new clientele. While that’s not to say that I’m not consistently pitching, I always prioritize my current clientele over future work. My goal is to provide a seamless and positive experience so that each client will continue to want to work with me.

While there are so many perks to being a creative, every creator knows that each month can look very different. Not only revenue-wise but also when it comes to workload. Being able to maintain a strong and loyal relationship with clientele can ease this problem. For example, I have clientele I work with monthly and I know exactly what that work looks like, how long it will take, and my client’s goals. This can help me access if I do have the bandwidth to take on other clients.

As far as growing clientele and looking for new work opportunities, the most effective strategy is doing your research. Make sure you understand the client’s priorities, style, vision, and an area that can be improved by your services. Companies receive countless impersonal, pitch emails. Ensure you stand out by putting in the time to understand the company’s objective.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

While the ability to follow my passion and do what I love every single day is without a doubt one of the best aspects of being a creative, the true reward is that I have the flexibility to decide what my career will look like. In a more traditional or corporate career that follows a linear path, you know what the next step is with each promotion. There’s usually a specific end goal with which promotions must be achieved to ultimately reach the goal. And while you may change companies or transfer teams, the end goal usually doesn’t falter.

As a creative, not only can I pivot at any point but there’s no end goal. I have dozens of goals I hope to achieve throughout my career, but the nice thing is that I know I have my whole life to do so. There’s no “next step” I have to hit by a certain point or retirement age where someone is telling me to stop. Being a creative provides you with the ability to write your own rules.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sunflowercreativeco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunflower_creativeco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunflowerCreativeCo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunflower-creative-co/
• Other: [email protected]