We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elizabeth Rivers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elizabeth below.

Elizabeth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Throughout my life, I have been the go-to person in regards to all things planning and logistics. Even in my previous career as a project manager at an independent record label, my life revolved around logistics. When I made the decision to start a business, I wanted to center it around helping others streamline the creative aspect of their business.

I’m also a fan of acronyms that also spell out words. I focused on 2 things: planning and an acronym that spelled out a word and that’s how I thought of Start With A Plan.

The business was started with the intention of being a creative starting point for business owners when they are either launching a campaign or starting a new business.

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?

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

People tend to think that creatives work 24/7, meaning that they are accessible 24/7 – similar to the music industry. Music is available 24/7 and music is released nonstop. I learned to enforce boundaries early into my career as a music industry professional and that is something that I also do as a business owner. I am not available at all times.

I make a conscious effort to separate my life from my business and I think that I will thank myself for that in the long run. I’ve worked with some amazing business owners who understood boundaries and the working relationship was great.

People often seem to take offense to those who enforce boundaries, but I want them to understand that we were all made differently and think differently. Being a creative requires a lot of thinking and mental work. I advise all creatives to take care of themselves mentally and enforce boundaries no matter the circumstance.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Word of mouth has been a game-changer for me. With me marketing in a city that I’m not originally from, the majority of my clientele is made up of people who I did not know before they booked a photo shoot or design service with me and I love that.

Having people who met me through my skills vouch for me has been great. A lot of my clientele compliment me on my professionalism. I’ve booked countless creatives for various services and I use what I’ve experienced to craft an experience for my clientele. Although my business began with the intention of helping business owners, the majority of my clientele also consist of people who are excited about capturing their memories and celebrating major moments. I also offer prints which is a plus for many clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.startwithaplan.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startwithaplan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startwithaplanco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-rivers-/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCikDxqSOUT5sFfxZ2sU-ptg
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@startwithaplan?_t=8m282UVOxPq&_r=1

Image Credits
Brian Rhodes Elizabeth Rivers