We recently connected with Emily Hedrick and have shared our conversation below.
Emily, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
To start at the beginning, I worked full time as a CT & MRI Technologist in Radiology. I was feeling very burnt out and then after COVID hit the medical field I knew I needed a change. I started a “little side business” in photography in August of 2020 which very quickly turned into my full time job. I stepped back in the medical field to pursue photography full time and it changed everything. I love connecting with people and for me photography was a way to express my creative side, have fun and meet new people. After a year or so I started to post reels on instagram. I was nervous at first even being so extraverted on what everyone would think, but I wanted to share my journey and encourage others to step out of their comfort zones. I went from being miserable in 12 hour shifts to loving what I do everyday! I think we get so caught up in our day to day routines and rhythms that we often forget that life is about living and that our incomes can be made by doing what you love. The more I posted the more messages I would receive like “this is so encouraging” “I’ve always wanted to start “x”, but I’ve always been too nervous” “this makes me want to start something I love” ect. The more I researched and posted the more I realized a need in our community for support with female entrepreneurs. So in August of 2022 I started TogetHER- A Community for Female Creative Entrepreneurs. When I was trying to think of a name I just broke it down as to what I wanted out of this business. A sense of “togetherness” for women. Hence togetHER (with the emphasis on HER)It’s a place for female entrepreneurs to grow, uplift & be encouraged. I hold monthly meetings for all women to come and hear a local businesses speak on topics to help them thrive in their current business or even be encouraged to start a business. We start by a speaker sharing a business topic and follow with fellowship and a connection hour! It has been absolutely amazing to see the connections that are being made each month. We come and share the highs, lows and everything in between. I have the most supportive friends and family possible, I’m very lucky, but It’s honestly nothing like being in a room with women who have the same mindset. Women who share similar minds and goals and want to encourage you. It’s honestly so powerful. I honestly had no idea if this would work, if people would take it as a serious business or just like a friend group. I was worried of clicks or people not being vulnerable. I can honestly say now- that is so far from the case. Friendships are being cultivated and the support that they show each others businesses is unlike anything I’ve ever seen! I am so thankful for an army of creative women who support each other and invest in themselves. They are both vulnerable and supportive.
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?
I am a full time photographer with Branch & Vine Photography and your female business hype girl! I love to meet new people and bring out genuine happiness out in their photos, Seniors are my specialty- I love bringing each unique personality to life in photos. I have very customized senior and graduate packages that are tailored specifically for their unique interest and personalities. I spend so much time making sure each clients feels comfortable and prepared for a SUPER FUN session ahead! I create unique and personalized portraits for high school seniors, college graduates and families.
I am also the owner of TogetHER. A Community for Female Creative Entrepreneurs.
I provide monthly spaces for female entrepreneurs to grow, uplift & be encouraged. I have a new speaker each month who teaches business and personal principles that apply to anyone who has an interest in starting a business or those who have owned a business for years! If there’s anything I want you to take away from this business it’s that it is a place to feel welcomed, included and encouraged by like minded women!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Yes! Donald Miller- Building a story brand!
I had the honor of hearing him speak in person at a conference at the beginning of 2022, but I have admired him long before that! His book teaches you all about the steps of building your business like a story to tell. That your customer should be the Hero of your story and not yourself or your brand. People connect with emotions not products and he explains the methods to do just that!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I started by posting very clear messages on what my brand is and what it is about. I also started with a big giveaway to help reach a large audience by enabling them to tag and share others. I think the more authentic you are the more relatable you become. You begin to connect on emotion rather than just a price tag. Be yourself, be authentic and show up and the rest will follow. Interact and be a friend more than looking at the numbers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://branchandvinephotography.com/ : https://www.instagram.com/branch.and.vine.photography/?hl=en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/together.va/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/togetHER.va ; https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=branch%20%2B%20vine%20photography