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

Kathy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

If I were starting over I would have started my business sooner – although I think starting my business in my 40’s definitely gave me a different perspective! It took me a long time to be courageous and step out of the must-have a 9-5 job with a set pay and benefits. It wasn’t until 2020 and having a break from the 9-5 job that I had the time to re-evalute my priorities and have the time to dream and try something new. SInce big weddings were not happening I was looking for a way to still make money with my part-time photography. During this time a was able to start my elopement company business. Not only did this help me, I was also able to help my fellow wedding creatives.

Knowing what I know now I would have gone out on my own full time much sooner!

Kathy, 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?

I still can’t believe that my job is a full time photographer/entrepreneur. When I first started out in photography it was a “hobby job” I was making money to invest in courses and equipment. In fact if you asked me if I would do photography as a full time job – I said no. I could not imagine that reality!

Now coming up on 9 years as a photographer and the last 2 as my full time career I would love to go back and start sooner! I started my business in my 40’s and have loved it! I am always learning something new. If fact, my new venture is into coaching and hosting a retreat for wedding creatives. I want to be an encourager and let people who are where I was when I was just starting out that you can make a career of it – with planning and giving yourself time to dream.

I now have 2 businesses. my wedding, engagement photography & video along with my elopement company. I enjoy getting to know my wedding clients and helping them through the process.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As I mentioned in a previous question. 2020 for me, like many others, was a time for self-reflection. Have weeks with no work really gave me time to think about what I would like to do. I was working a full-time job as a dental hygienist – I was a hygienist for over 22 years. My photography was for extra money and a dream of maybe one day working hygiene part time and supplementing my income with my photography. With big weddings not happening and having down time I started an Elopement business, Legacy and Legend Co. Couples were still getting married, and these small intimate weddings were able to happen during this time. The business took off – flash forward to October 2020 and I could not keep working both jobs. Was able to leave my 9-5 and work for myself full time! While doing something I love & I was able to grow a team and send work to my fellow wedding creatives! It was a pivot in both my career and my life and I could not be happier!

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes, see above question. Once my part-time side hustle stared growing during the pandemic I made a plan. Once I saved 6 months of personal bills and 6 months of business bills, I could transition to working for myself! I have now started scaling and expanding my offerings. I’m excited to now offer coaching and retreats to help others transition from side hustle into their main career.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kathybeaverphotography.com & www.legacyandlegend.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathybeaverphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathybeaverphotography/

Image Credits
Foundling Creative