We recently connected with Deborah Cole and have shared our conversation below.
Deborah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
As a writer and photographer, I always have projects “in the works.” In 2020 while working on a book about women entrepreneurs (I interviewed and photographed them) I realized that my book was sorely lacking diversity. I introduced myself to Rose Smith, CEO of the organization, Black Women in Business. We had some great talks although I did not interview any of the members of the organization for the book in progress (SHE: Believed She Could So She Did). Rose attended one of the 2022 launch parties and suggested that I do another book featuring interviews with her members (as well as photos). The challenge was/is that she wanted the book completed and ready to deliver at the annual conference in November of 2022. And believe it or not, we have done it.
This project required a very aggressive interview and photo schedule. The book is now in final layout and will be delivered on time.
The project was meaningful because I was graciously given time to have one on one time with 21 amazing Black women entrepreneurs. I learned a lot and was humbled by their stories of resilience.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am an entrepreneur who grew a small business into a multi-million dollar service firm over 35 years. When I sold the business to the employees we had 10 locations and 500 employees servicing the entire State of Texas. Upon my leave, I chose to continue the activities that I had loved best while in the business. Writing, speaking, photography, and teaching. As well as having written 3 books over the past 5 years, I also contribute to various magazines and use my photography in talks, blog posts, and galleries to tell stories.
I also serve to mentor and support women in their journeys as entrepreneurs.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to tell stories with my photographs. The majority of my work is documentary and/or street photography. I do not necessarily photograph “on the street” but the style is of-the-moment. I desire to capture moments in time that illustrate the beauty of the human condition. Sometimes there is beauty, sometimes humor, and sometimes just a simple image that expands the wonder of our everyday lives.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
As a business owner, I find there are BIG pivots and tiny pivots on a daily basis. I like life as an entrepreneur (and creative artist) as living on a wobble board. We constantly make the smallest of course corrections which allow us to adapt to our changing world. If we are never open to change, to course correct we do not grow.
A very, very large pivot occurred when I left my lifelong passion, my business, after 35 years as its founder/owner. I no longer had the identity. It took a lot of self-reflection to make the change and the result was a photo book called Letting Go: How Less Becomes More. In the book, I told of my experiences of letting go of identities, ideas, and possessions and how life “on the other side” has become so much richer and more profound.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deborahcoleconnections.com www.deborahcolephotography.com
- Instagram: @debbycole
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborahcoleconnections
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-cole-4715714/