Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katherine Evans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Katherine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

When asked what I would do differently, if I was to start over, often I’ll respond with I wouldn’t change a thing. That seems like the right thing to say. It’s just not that simple. So many mountains were climbed to get where I am, and I’m still working my way over the hills and Vally’s. If I was told about a short cut, or if I knew of an easier and quicker way to get to my destination, oh I’d be all ears.

Here are some things I’d tell my younger self, as I’d hope I’ve learned my lesson to make these mistakes again.

Don’t start until you know how you need to manage the financial aspect of your business. Know what you need to do to run your business. Know the accounts you need to have, the tax ID you need, the estimated tax deadlines, the penalties, etc. Have a system in place for bookkeeping or outsource this. Be religious about pulling away for taxes. Keep personal and business accounts separate. Know the difference between contractor and employee. Have your financial plans and systems written down, and have intentions to execute them. Growth will happen when these hard steps are taken. It’s 1000% worth it, trust me. It is good to “Just Start”, but please, do so after you have clarity on this for your business.

Put the phone down. Manage the notifications. Did you know that the average person is on the phone 5-6 hours a day? That’s a hard pill to swallow, as I know I’m in the average. Set boundaries. Know when you’re going to check your email, and make sure your clients know these time frames. Be intentional with batching content, as the temptation to scroll is SO real, I get it – trust me, it’s so easy to do. You can “read” or listen to almost a book a day, with that amount of time. Scrolling non-stop forms so much anxiety, comparison, and a lack of contentment. This isn’t the way you want to feel right after a good nights sleep. Fact, it will make you want to crawl back under the covers. Be intentional. Have a plan, knowing it’s addictive, and try to stick to it.

Listen to the advice people share. Sometimes even strangers. Look. We are all so quick to brush off what someone says, assuming they know nothing of our lives, and they have no say in the matter. I believe God puts people in our way for a reason. They feel convicted to say something, for a reason. Granted you’ll have to filter out specific things, but really lean into people who are investing in you. Many people have walked a road before you, and have a journey to share. There may be a nugget in there for you, that will help better your life, or the way you go about it. They aren’t intentionally trying to hurt, annoy, or boast….they are trying to converse in hopes to help in some way. You will have to judge this on a case by case basis, but you in fact don’t know it all, and there’s time to sit and chat over coffee, and listen, if that means a sweeter future. Be humble and kind.

Be intentional about time off, boundaries, and self care. There is always time for counseling, church, life coaching, business coaching, retreats, massages, journal time, and just simply anything that will do with bettering your overall being. Make these things a priority. Invest in these things. The way to be a better family member, leader, and co-worker is if you’re not neglecting what gives you joy. What brings you peace. These things will fuel you, will fill your cup. You can’t serve with an empty cup. Your good health is just as imperative, to the success of your business.

Outsource, outsource, outsource. I don’t care if it’s editing photos or cleaning your house….you cannot do it all when running a business. You aren’t the intro to Full House Reel, where you’re every character saying hello, wearing all the hats. Again, not a sustainable way to live. Pick and choose what you can afford to outsource, and be intentional, making sure these contractors or employees are doing what you don’t excel at. Your brain will be more clear, your work will be more efficient, your work will get done faster, and better, not by doing it all alone. You’ll be surprised how much more you can make, when you’re willing to pay for such things, freeing up time, and mental space.

Schedule annual trips to get away, and do intentional planning for your business for the year. Divide the big projects over quarters all aiming toward your overall goals. Plan beyond the year. Schedule your trips and vacations, holidays, birthdays and other personal dates off before even going over your work plans. This helps with getting you through the year, as you have something to look forward to.

Take the business courses, go on the retreats, educate, beyond just practice and faking it until you make it. Hustling isn’t cool. It just isn’t. It’s not healthy. It’s not a healthy way to live. It’s not a healthy way to work. You can’t have a healthy lifestyle doing this all the time. There is a season for the grind, of course, but non-stop? It’s not sustainable. Spend the money on education, the right education for you, after researching its legitimacy, of course. Educate yourself on your craft. Educate yourself on business. Educate yourself on accounting and finances. Learn what you love, and realize what you need to outsource. Learn with others at workshops or conventions, and build a community. We aren’t meant to do this life alone.

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 have been a photographer for 19 years, 8 of those years a full time wedding and family photographer in San Diego. I started immediately at a young age, with a passion to know how my film camera worked. I was a total sponge, and am to this day. I learned from the professionals that would let me tag along with them, and I took classes to learn the rest. My passion fueled what I learned, and it’s progressed into a career.

The main thing I have to contribute to my craft is my personality. The way I’m able to connect with my clients, communicate and empathize sets me apart. I connect with the littles, anything for the shot, right?! I dig deeper, I capture the hearts on the outside, and I keep in touch with my clients for years to come. It’s more than just a transaction, It’s so much more than that. It’s a relationship based business. You’re letting me into such a deep part of your life, capturing precious connections. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly, and we have an absolute BLAST doing so.

I may have a thriving business. I may know who my clientele is. I may have systems in place and concepts of where I want things to go, but I did a lot of things backwards, and the wrong way first. I got in over my head, and started before I had a clear vision on how I wanted to do things. I’ve had to pivot, and make up for my past shortcomings. If I knew the things I knew now, I’d be on a fast-track. I’m still headed to do great things, and I pray I’ll never stop seeking ways to better my business. I hope I’ll continue to be humble, as it’s by the Grace of God I’m still in business, doing what I love. You can have a vision, a dream, that can come to life. Don’t let anyone dim your light. BUT be smart. Do your work. Put the time in. Learn. Make a plan, and go kill it, friends.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

It was a summer jam packed with weddings and family sessions, in sunny San Diego. I was in my second trimester with our rainbow baby, after two miscarriages, full of hope and excitement. I had a full schedule, all the way to my due date. There was no time for rest. There was no time for slowing down. Well, you see, God has a way of setting you straight. At my 19 week appointment we were supposed to see the gender, and celebrate accordingly. Rather the ultrasound tech was full of anxiety and let us know she’d be right back. She came back without an answer and told us we’d be getting a call from the doctor. We went to the mall to get food and buy something for our baby GIRL! While at the food court I received a call. The doctor said, you need to come in ASAP for an emergency surgery, to try to keep your baby from coming out. She’s trying to come and she most likely won’t survive. As you can imagine, especially after two losses, we were already terrified without getting this call. We went in and I had surgery from one surgeon, as the assist was about to faint during. Due to this my Doc said I had a C- surgery and had to be on bedrest for as long as I could keep the baby in. BED REST?! As a business owner, my heart SANK. I book people to photograph their WEDDINGS. The happiest day of their lives, and here I am, having to manage this, while fearing, daily, that I’ll loose my baby?

Well, to God be the Glory…..I held my chin high and did all I knew to do. I emailed my clients individually. I was honest. I was apologetic. I was confident in a plan I had NO confidence in, but I knew I HAD to figure it out, because I cared about being there for all of their days. Then was the texts and emails sent to my community. Seeing who could shoot what, and the logistics of it all. They were angels sent from heaven, willing to help and be there for my clients, to the best of their ability. Several weddings were captured, and several clients were still thrilled, and felt like they had the KBP experience. Things were working out. I was even booking new clients, while on bedrest, with my associates, to keep up the revenue that was going down the drain.

Then came the contractions at 31 weeks. I had to go to the hospital, and be on bedrest, monitored approximately every hour or less, for three weeks. AHHHH. More emails out to more clients, as I hoped I’d magically heal every week, and somehow be able to bounce back. I was FaceTiming my associates sometimes as many as 3 per wedding, to maximize my clients experience, as I felt like I was just the WORST for not carping their day.

Ya know? Turns out people don’t care as much about the photos. That can be trained, taught, and done with excellence. What they want? Is communication. Honest. Raw. They can connect with a real life situation. They understand. Yes there is a contract. Yes, things could have gone south, if I handled it differently, but they responded with grace, kindness and love. Many actually wrote 5 star reviews before their head hit the pillow, the night of their weddings, WHILE I was in the hospital.

It is all a whirlwind, and still quite unbelievable, but I do believe it’s a story of resilience, determination, and prime customer service, which I believe is the core of a successful business.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me is via word of mouth! My clients are just incredible and they are so kind and gracious to share my name! The beauty of social media as well! As you post of your clients, and tag, and they repost, their friends and family are able to see your work! If you text them too, to specifically repost, or to tag, it helps heaps to reaching the clients that are right up your ally. Maintaining contact, and good customer service to the clients you currently or previously have had, makes them want to share your name even more, and is such a gift when you get to work with friends of theirs! Also there is no shame, when starting out, or slow, in messaging your clients regarding a booking or to see If any of their people would be interested in working with you as well! Most of the time they want you to succeed, and if you deliver an overall good client experience, they will absolutely feel confident about sharing your name. Lastly with social media, genuinely keep up with your clients, by commenting or sending a private message on what they shared. First of all, actually care, but also this may remind them that they wanted to book something with you, again. Often you can hire a VA to do this, but I personally like to do it myself!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katherinebethphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinebethphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Katherine-Beth-Photography-San-Diego-Wedding-and-Family-Photographer-122938144414128/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-evans-506b3655/
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/kbephotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCea6vfGohhwOKgZ_8BvOmWw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/katherine-beth-photography-san-diego
• Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/katherine-beth-photography-san-diego/3c2eb34151b8255d.html

Image Credits
Headshot of ME – Shot by Erin Christine Photography edited by Katherine Beth Photography