Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kaitlin Meyers. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kaitlin, thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
As crazy and stressful as being a business owner is, I don’t see how life could have led any other way. I love the challenges, the feeling of overcoming, and the accomplishment of having built a business from the ground up. My husband and I started my photography & videography business in 2018, not knowing where it would take us. We built a renovated school bus and took off across the country with it, all the while shooting weddings and elopements in numerous states. After establishing our photography business, we craved another challenge, and my grandparents happened to put their rental business on the market. We bought the rental business and started the process of building up a business in a completely different industry. There have been many times when we ask ourselves if we should have just gone the traditional job route because of how challenging it has been. The answer is always “Nah, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Kaitlin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I developed a passion for photography while studying art at Michigan State University. This led me to establish Love Pioneer, my photography business, primarily focusing on weddings and elopements. Over time, my husband, Cody, joined me as a videographer, and together we have had the privilege of traveling extensively across the United States and abroad, capturing beautiful elopements and destination weddings. Our commitment to offering couples a more adventurous experience sets us apart. In addition to photography and videography services, we also provide planning assistance, helping couples choose the perfect location, activities, and timeline for their elopement day. Our dedication to creating an amazing experience for our clients is what distinguishes us from other wedding photographers.
Alongside our photography and videography endeavors, we also own and operate Express Rental, an equipment and party rental store. Although this business is entirely different from our creative work, it has been an incredibly fulfilling venture. Express Rental has a rich history, initially started by my grandfather, who successfully ran the business for over 25 years. Carrying on his legacy has been an honor. Our rental inventory includes a wide range of equipment, from wood chippers and skid steers to party tents and bounce houses. While transitioning into a different industry has come with its challenges, witnessing the growth of the business and meeting wonderful people along the way has made it all worthwhile.
Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?
A couple of months ago, my husband and I embarked on a new venture by purchasing a rental business. This business has a special significance, as my grandfather started it back in 1991 and diligently ran it for over 25 years. Following his passing, my grandmother made the decision to sell Express Rental. With our established photography and videography business, we saw an opportunity to not only assist my grandmother but also embrace a new challenge and create an additional source of income.
The process of acquiring the business began with a visit to the store to assess and document the existing inventory. We carefully evaluated the value of each item and considered the property’s worth, ultimately reaching a price that satisfied both parties. To formalize the purchase, we engaged in the necessary legal procedures and signed the necessary documents, officially making the business ours.
After taking ownership, we started renovating the buildings and both repairing and maintaining the equipment. We encountered some hurdles along the way, particularly when it came to securing liability insurance. Many insurance companies deemed rental businesses too risky to insure, but after persistent efforts, we managed to find a specialized insurance provider for rental companies.
Finding suitable rental software that fit our budget and was user-friendly posed another challenge. However, through extensive research, we eventually identified the right software solution for our needs. Since then, we have been refining our rental processes, rapidly familiarizing ourselves with the equipment, expanding our product offerings with updated items, and investing in new equipment to meet the evolving demands of our customers.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Robert Kiyosaki’s videos on the Rich Dad youtube channel have been an invaluable source of entrepreneurial wisdom for me. His insights into passive income and the dynamics of money flow within a business have been very helpful in my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovepioneerphoto.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lovepioneerphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lovepioneerphoto
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYhB4Sgsb_CU6DC4L_kNjKg
- Other: www.express-rental.com www.instagram.com/expressrentalmi www.facebook.com/expressrentalmi
Image Credits
Love Pioneer Photography