We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Catherine Kent a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Catherine , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?
The most innovative thing I’ve done for my career was pivot to working with entrepreneurs and brands. While that shift seemed to be status quo- we all have to adapt to the ever-changing market we serve- that shift was what opened the door to my innovative idea- offering Social Media Management as an add on with my branding photography sessions! All the new services I offer are able to connect by the common thread of entrepreneurship, and has increased my company’s marketability, and gave me longevity with my clients.
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?
My name is Catherine Kent! I am the Owner and Photographer for Creative Collective Co.- A Branding Photography, and Social Media Management Company. Business had been my life-blood since childhood, but I had never thought of becoming a photographer. I got my accidental start five years ago when I offered to take photos of my friend and her children with my camera I had gotten as a gift. I posted those pictures for her on Social Media, and 7 families “booked” with me that following week. It’s wild that profession I had never given thought to, is now a major love of mine! Since I began, I now have expanded to include Social Media Management Services and Coaching under my umbrella. Killing dreams (and turning them into goals!), bringing out your best features in front of my camera, and helping you navigate the ever-changing curve ball that is social media is now my jelly and my jam! I have a special love for my entrepreneur clients – the hustle and grind in me respects and draws inspiration from the hustle in them! It is because of our shared aspect- growing and learning from my own mistakes like they have- that I stand out to my clients. When they work with me, they not only gain my expertise, great atmosphere, experience, and services, but also a friend – someone who is digging and learning her way just like they are, all while attempting to put a smile on their faces. My heart is to share as much information as I can, make the journey of entrepreneurship as easy as possible, encourage you, and help you look your most FABULOUS for your audience- whether in front of my lens, or on Social Media. If I can do all that and keep you from bumping your head as much as I did on the way – then it’s more than worthwhile for me!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy I found and grow in my clientele, especially in a genre that I desire to pivot to /grow in , Has been to offer collaborations. For example, when I had (at the behest of several of my clients) decided to expand my offers to include social media management, I approached 3–5 of my business associates/prior Clients with an offer to manage social media for one week free, then an extremely discounted Rate for the year first month. This served me in 2 ways: first working with them gave me the experience needed to work out any bugs and kinks was what I was offering. Secondly, it helped me to determine If what I wanted to offer had worth to any potential clients. It may have seemed to be risky, but it was calculated gain- either way- in my eyes. While yes, working at a discounted rate wasn’t necessarily ideal, it gave me experience, I was able to use them to fine tune my craft, and they have now become regular photography and social media clients!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Picture it, August 22nd, 2022- I am 3 weeks past quitting my job and going into my business full-time, and myself, and my entire household have been HIT with Covid . For 3 weeks, I could do nothing. Social Media, Marketing, and planning are my LIVELIHOOD, yet I found myself so weak, that a trip downstairs warranted 4-hour naps. When I finally gained my health and my energy back, I found that I was far behind- I was up to my neck in photo sessions to edit, I was well past the deadline for marketing during a vital income season for photographers, and the worst part- I was so overwhelmed by my mile-high list of “to-do’s”, that I couldn’t start. What did I do? I prayed and asked God to help me with the stress, took a deep breath, pulled myself up by my bootstraps, and started plowing through. With consistency, smart planning with my social media, and keeping focused on my goals, I was able to bounce back and have a successful final quarter. This whole experience taught me you can bounce back from almost anything- as long as a make a plan, stay focused and stick to it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thecreativescollective.co
- Instagram: @cccoatl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativescollectiveco
Image Credits
Catherine Kent/Creatives’ Collective Company