We recently connected with Catherine Tolbert-Wilson and have shared our conversation below.

Catherine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

At Good Day Selfie Museum, our mission goes beyond pictures; it’s about crafting an unforgettable experience. When you step into our vibrant space, it’s not just about selfies – it’s about creating lasting memories, boosting self-confidence, and having a blast with loved ones. We’re all about leaving our visitors with more than just photos; we want them to leave with smiles, feeling better than when they arrived. From upbeat music and colorful surroundings to top-notch customer service, we’re dedicated to making everyone, regardless of background, feel comfortable and welcome. Our mantra, “More than selfies, it’s an experience,” aims for a transformative sensation. I’m especially proud of individuals stepping out solo, capturing moments of courage. One customer shared that, after battling cancer, our museum was the first place she genuinely laughed in months. It’s moments like these that affirm our mission, reminding us of the genuine impact we have on people’s lives.

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

I am Catherine Tolbert Wilson, the proud owner of the Good Day Selfie Museum located in Ferndale, Michigan. With a degree in interior design and a minor in business administration from Central Michigan University, my journey into the creative world was inevitable, given my lifelong passion for creativity. As a child, I always aimed to make people feel good about themselves, whether through compliments or creating a welcoming atmosphere. During my junior year of college, inspired by a visit to the Color Factory in Soho, New York, my mom and I conceptualized bringing a similar experience back to our community.

Upon graduation, I plunged into entrepreneur mode, tirelessly working to transform our vision into reality. Good Day Selfie Museum is a self-serve photography studio offering a unique space for individuals of all backgrounds to feel confident while creating content. With over 20 diverse setups, our studio caters to those seeking the perfect backdrop for photos, videos, or even birthday celebrations. What sets us apart is the genuine love we infuse into our work. I prioritize delivering top-notch customer service, ensuring everyone feels at home, comfortable, and empowered to express themselves.

What makes me proudest is not just having a dream but executing it. Despite challenges, I persevered, driven by my love for design and the desire to uplift others. The heart of our museum lies in creating a positive atmosphere where visitors feel an incredible vibe and leave with a sense of joy. It’s not just about the money; it’s about the passion for creation and making people feel good about themselves.

To potential clients, I want you to know that Good Day Selfie Museum provides a safe space crafted by a 25-year-old black female from Michigan. Our sets reflect my dedication to creating a welcoming environment, and I invite you to experience the unique and uplifting atmosphere I’ve created.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

During my entrepreneurial journey at Good Day Selfie Museum, a crucial lesson I had to learn was to unlearn reacting to negativity and develop resilience against its impact. It dawned on me that not everyone would appreciate or understand what we were doing, and that realization hit hard on our very first day of opening. As I eagerly launched my business, I overheard people passing by, ridiculing it, questioning if it was a joke, and even wondering how I could afford the rent. It was a different response from the positive anticipation I had envisioned. That night, with only two customers and negative remarks lingering, I found myself in tears. The contrast between my expectations and the initial response was disheartening.

However, the following day marked a significant turnaround. The studio was packed with customers, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It was a pivotal moment that taught me a valuable lesson: not everyone will embrace your vision, and that’s perfectly fine. It became clear that dwelling on negativity only hindered my progress. Understanding that opinions are subjective and not everyone would be a fan allowed me to shift my perspective. I realized that as long as I stayed true to who I am and the audience I cater to, the opinions of those who didn’t understand became inconsequential.

Now, when people still walk by and mock the concept of a selfie museum, I’ve developed the resilience to let it roll off my shoulders. I’ve learned to roll my eyes, maintain my focus, and keep pushing forward with the unwavering belief in what Good Day Selfie Museum offers to those who appreciate and resonate with our creative space.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

In the early stages of constructing our social media presence we took the approach of starting with friends and family as our initial followers. Persistent encouragement to share our page within their circles helped establish a foundational following. As we officially opened our doors, building followers became somewhat effortless because our space at Good Day Selfie Museum naturally attracted who likes creating content. The pivotal element in expanding our audience was the power of user-generated content – when visitors tagged our location or our page in their posts, it became an instant and authentic form of marketing. Potential customers seeing these posts would ask about the location thus expanding our online reach.

Strategic advertising also played a key role in broadening our audience. Investing in ads across platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram proved effective, especially when paired with interesting content. Incorporating popular songs and catchphrases in our captions ensured resonance with the audience and kept our content fresh. For those embarking on the journey of building a social media presence, the advice is straightforward: leverage your existing network, capitalize on the visual appeal of your business, invest wisely in targeted ads, and stay connected with current trends to keep your content engaging and relevant.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gooddaymuseum.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/c.taylor.w?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067599743185&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
@kinga_productions