We recently connected with Arica Avery and have shared our conversation below.
Arica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenges to profitability in my industry is balancing the need of investing in new equipment, being creative, and managing growth.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Arica Avery, entrepreneur, artist, creator, producer, foodie, photographer and owner of Beam Photos & Production. I’ve been an entrepreneur since Middle School. I love music+ After using my $25 allowance as an investment to purchase chips, juices, and candy. I began selling them to my classmates for $1 each. The thrill of making more money than I spent
seemed amazing. I tripled my investment by the end of the first week. This was my first taste of being a hustler. I was excited to get that hustle high again. My grandfather was an
entrepreneur since I was born. I used to watch him spend weekends hustling at the flea market and during the week work as a handy man. Seeing how he had the freedom to choose his work
schedule, how well respected he was in the community and how he was able to provide for his family.
I carry that same ambition into my everyday adult life.
I am an avid music lover. I love all types of music, rap, hip hop, r&b, pop, & rock. As a percussionist I was required to play all the instruments in the percussion family including
drums, xylophone, snare drum, cymbal, bongo conga, bass drum, chime, and piano. Middle school was the start of many things and really exploring the arts. I love being in creative spaces trying different things.
Being in the band around so many creatives inspired me to explore other creative avenues like painting, cooking and photography. We used time outside of practicing and performing together to
share ideas, dreams, and aspirations. I never knew that time in my life would be so pivotal in my growth and shape the direction of my life. Even though I never became a professional musician
I use all of the things I learned in band in my everyday life now. How to be a team player, focus on the bigger picture, practice, and study those who did it before you.
As a natural creative I was drawn to colors, creative expressions, and beauty growing up. I took all of those early loves and gravitated towards photography. Finding the beauty in any scenery is like
a painter finding the best shade of their favorite color. I’m excited to do what I love and share it with people. Every picture tells a story. And it’s my job as a photographer and creator
to make that come to life. My hometown, St. Louis is such a creative arts community I get inspired everytime I drive through the city, feel the energy of people, the excitement of the new
sports teams, and colorful murals. It feeds my creative soul.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
My initial capital to start my business I saved by working odd jobs like DoorDash, GrubHub, and Shipt. Through Long nights and busy weekends I pushed through to purchase my first professional camera and LLC. I asked my family and friends to purchase me Best Buy Visa gift cards for my birthday to use for other equipment like photography backgrounds and props.
I’m a firm believer that to live a comfortable life you have to have multiple streams of income. I’ve had multiple streams of income since I first began working.
I’ve been a reseller since high school selling items online through social media and eBay like shoes and clothes while working 2 part time jobs.
Over the past 2 years I’ve graduated to reselling clothes, shoes, electronics, furniture, and household items. I search auction and liquidation sites for high dollar items to resell online for a profit.
So when I win that item from the auctions that I know people are looking and willing to pay for I’m excited.
Last year I started an inflatable rental business called Jumping Jumping Bounce Houses. Renting inflatables out for parties and events. I was mentored by 1 of the top inflatable business owners
in St Louis. Anthony Clark of Time4Fun took me under his wing and taught me how to run an inflatable business and become profitable in the 1st year. Following his blueprint I grew that business
to include party items like a fog machine and an interactive basketball inflatable. Starting a new business during COVID gave me the chance to plan out business goals without moving so much. That
time was really a focal point for me, personally to rethink and reset my life. Some people used that time to better themselves, some used time to maintain, others moved time
I’ve recently added an additional stream of income to my photography business with the 360 Photo Booth rental. Next year I plan on starting an ATM and AirBnB business.
I’m always on the lookout for more streams of income to create generational wealth.
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?
I’m a firm believer that in order to live a comfortable life you have to have multiple streams of income. I’ve been a reseller since high school selling items online through social media and eBay like household items, iPads, paintings, pictures and sports items. I own a inflatable rental business called Jumping Jumping Bounce Houses renting inflatables out for parties. I’ve recently added an additional stream of income to my photography business with the 360 Photo Booth rental. Next year I plan on starting an ATM and AirBnB business.
I’m always on the look out for more streams of income to create generational wealth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beamphotostl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beamphotos4biz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beam4business
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TKUfvDC1Uf2iz2_-BgwLg
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/beamphotosnproductions/
Image Credits
Photos provided by Arica Avery, owner of Beam Photos & Production