We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dominque Welcome a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dominque thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I have adopted the notion,” Success is whatever you want it to be.” In my earlier years I had spent a good portion of my life trying to define what success was to me. There are several people who define success by the type of career that they have, by how much money they have acquired, hitting a goal, or even the number of accomplishments that they have mastered. There can be many variations. Although I believe that success is whatever you want it to be, I also apply my belief of success to different areas of my life. For example, in order for me to feel financially successful, I might need to set better long term goals in order to help me achieve that area of my life so that I could be financially successful. In the end will you be happy with the outcome?

Dominque, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a woman who wears. many hats. I AM becoming, a mother, photographer, business owner, teacher, student, just to name a few; but If there is one thing that I would want you to know about me right away; its that I find no greater joy in my life than to express myself creatively.

Im sarcastic, EXTREMELY goofy, a Foodie at heart, and see all things in life through a lens. Always down for a creative concept.
I first picked up a camera 13 years ago- influenced by the dark places in life, self-portraiture and telling stories.
I enjoy creating timeless and emotive imagery. I am in inspired by freedom, feminine strength, and unique beauty because I now posses it.

So much has changed in my life since the first time that I picked up a camera. I am a successful renowned business owner.. I have so much to give, I can’t wait to share.

When Im not engaged in photography I enjoy teaching, enhancing my business, and creating new concepts. My goal is to create a safe space for people to express themselves authentically and freely. You are always safe with me and I can’t wait to meet you!

Lets create!

Have you ever had to pivot?

Pivoting in your life can be challenging, but bring great benefit to your life; depending on your mindset. An important question that you could ask yourself is,” Will this create an opportunity for growth?”There is one thing that is for certain, and that is change is a guarantee.

I work an 8-5 everyday, support 2 younger children, attending school to seek a higher degree, kick starting my new blog, and operate a photography business everyday in between other various task. That’s a lot huh?

The turning point for me while trying to juggle all of these task, was feeling the burnout mentally and physically. I found my self not being able to get adequate rest , my eating habits weren’t the best, my children were wanting me to spend more intentional time with them, and what little free time I would receive from time to time; id be sure to fill it with more things.

Looking back, If I had to put more thought into what was going on in my mind during that time, I would say that I genuinely thought that if my schedule wasnt full of things, then I wasn’t doing enough or that I wasn’t being productive. Sometimes you have to learn when to say no, quit being unhappy, consider establishing a new goal, and take the plunge.

This whole scenario was a great opportunity for me to re-evaluate everything that I had going on in my life against my mental and physical health.Sometimes small changes can lead you to the biggest results.
I decided to pivot things in my life that would allow me to meet my goals, maintain my business without it falling short, be intentional with spending time with my children, and even get in some self care so that I can continue to be functional.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In Business ownership you must have the ability to adapt to change, and disruption. No business is perfect and at some point you might even have a wrinkle to iron out; that’s okay. If you are able to have resilience then I would say that your business could withstand just about anything. Three years ago I encountered a major life change, and at that time nothing mattered but my feelings. My Photography business had suffered a great deal because I became non- responsive, and had no desire to take pictures. All of that led to people finding business elsewhere, loss of income, and my business name getting lost in cyber space somewhere.

That life changing event came and it went; and I overcame. That is resilience. When you are able to pick yourself back up and start again in-spite of the odds, or low points in your life or in your business.
My business is a success and I was able to regain my passion for it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/d_nichole_photography
• Other: Be on the lookout for my new Blog www.lovenichole.com

Image Credits
Rachel Saucedo Kauti Nicholls