We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kaleigh Ma’ake a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kaleigh, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Turning passion into my income was never what I had planned in my post-grad game plan. I graduated from BYU in December 2022 and officially started my own business as a digital creator, social media manager, and brand photographer in March 2023, called Kaleigh Creative LLC. Those three months in between were pivotal, and it really just boiled down to if I should take this leap and go after it.

Throughout my years in college, I loved everything about content creation and photography. However over the years it turned more into a hobby and whenever I could do it on the weekends. Until my senior year when I got a text my from a relative asking if I knew anyone that could help with her business’s social media page. In my head, “well that’s what I do” and from there opened a whole new area of opportunities. From taking on that role, I’ve been able to expand my network in Utah, travel the world creating content for others, and open a brand photoshoot membership locally. I knew that marketing 9-5 role I had lined up after college wouldn’t give me the freedom and full-time living I desired.

I’m not here to say it’s all sunshine and rainbows. I realized I am the boss and I need to act like it if I really want to make a full-time living out of it. Those first 4-5 months was solely dedicated to expanding and building my network. Once I hit my first 5k month, that was a huge milestone for me! My one month income was my semester total income from my part-time job. That blew my mind. The numbers don’t lie. That’s when I realized there’s a huge need for my creative work and branding in general for entrepreneurs and local businesses.

I always tell myself, “I wish I jumped on this sooner” or if I started this five years ago where I’d be now. Well, too late for that. One thing I know that definitely would of helped sped up the process is networking and getting connected to the right people. I encourage anyone if there’s a industry or area you’re interested in, get connected to the top people in there! Start locally and I can promise opportunities will be created because of your efforts getting in the right rooms with the right people.

Kaleigh, 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?

My business is called Kaleigh Creative LLC. I am an independent entrepreneur that focuses on helping entrepreneurs and small business build their dream brands through bold visuals.

I offer three main services which include: social media management, brand photography, and brand content creation.
Every three months, I open a VIP Photoshoot Membership to a fresh group of individuals dedicated to elevating their brand visuals for the next 3 months. It’s a fun opportunity to get a monthly photoshoot and build up your content bank!

My main focus is to let people know their brand is their business card. The more you invest in your brand, you’re investing in your business and that will attract your dream clients. Every person has a story to share and I hope my services and creative work can help people feel confident, comfortable, and elevated when they show up online!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

As much as I’m an advocate for showing up online; more importantly am I an advocate for showing up for your community. When I started with my two clients that I did social media for, I poured into them. I got to know them and genuinely cared for them. I think that was pivotal because the relationships I built with those two created a ripple effect that I really didn’t see coming. The fact people will recommend my name in a room I’m not even in was the biggest testament to me that I was doing something right. So in building my reputation within my market, I would say put the people first. Show up for your clients. Go the extra mile and execute the vision they have entrusted you to help with.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Spoiler Alert: Creatives get creative block and burnout too!

As an artist and creative, you’re constantly being sought out for inspiration and creativity, which does come naturally, but then again we are also human. I think sometimes people forget sometimes I don’t have the best ideas that just pop into my head or need some time to get inspired too. Creative block and burnout is real especially when you’ve done it for so long, but it doesn’t mean it’s bad. i would say give them some grace too because we need a break just like everyone else!

Contact Info:

• Website: kaleighcreative.com
• Instagram: @kaleigh.creative
• Other: Pinterest: Kaleigh Maake

Image Credits
All photo credits: Kaleigh Maake/Brand Photographer