We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Rose. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.

Laura, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Well success definitely looks different for everyone. But for me what being successful as a Photographer/ Photography Studio Owner is being able to provide a steady income that would support my family and be able to work around my ever changing health.
The freedom over my own schedule is such an important thing in my life.
But with that freedom of being self-employed. Comes the need for discipline and making sure you’re using your time wisely and efficiently.
Which is such a balancing act for anyone self employed.
What really helped me to make a switch in getting to have this career of mine provide for my family and become a successful business was, when I realised I had to put in the time and make sure to carve out a schedule for everything.
For example making a schedule for Marketing, Emailing, Client Calls, Photo Sessions, Making Promotional Content, fine tuning procedures for my business oh and the list goes on and on.
I will never forget what a fellow Photographer Rachel Vanoven once said. You need to be putting at least 40 hours in a week if you want this as a career. When I truly started putting the hours in. That’s when I truly started to see changes in my business and see it becoming successful.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey I’m Laura and I’m a Entrepreneur / Photographer / Marketing Coach I currently own a Portrait Studio In San Diego/ Point Loma area and Specialize in Maternity / Newborn Photography. I also recently have branched into Branding Photography so I can help other Entrepreneurs and business owners get on the right foot for their branding and marketing needs. I also currently coach other photographers and small business owners on Marketing strategies and how to optimize their presence on their websites and social media platforms.
Now how did I get here? Well long story short. I hurt my back in 2013 and took a year off to heal. That is when Photography fell in my lap. Because I could no longer continue with my last business I ran. Which was house cleaning. So since then I have been studying my heart out online. Learning everything I can about Photography and Marketing and Business.
One true proud moment I was blessed with actually happened this year in April.
My Entrepreneur career has given my husband the freedom to quit his Job after 17 years. It’s been a long road. But truly it’s a huge blessing.

What I want all my Entrepreneur / Small business owners out there to know. You can do anything you put your mind to. Just be patient with yourself. I truly want you to succeed. I’m rooting for you.

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

Well here’s my resilience story for you. May 28th, 2022 I found myself unable to walk.
Remember earlier. I mentioned I had Back trouble in 2013. Well that actually never really went away. Through the years it gave me trouble and I always just went to the chiropractors and to Acupuncture for pain relief.
Well on this day in May I found myself home alone and unable to walk. It’s a pretty long story. So if you want to read more about it. I have a highlight on my Instagram all about it.

Ok so here’s the short version.
I had to be rushed to the hospital 2 days after the onset of me not being able to walk.
When I arrived at the hospital, It all got so serious. I was going to have emergency back surgery the next day. I had a diagnosis of Cauda Equina Syndrome given to me in the ER. 

The Dr said I wasn’t going to be able to work for 3 months.
He also said you might not be able to work with babies anymore due to how physical it was and depending on how the surgery goes. Can you imagine getting this diagnosis as a business owner / sole operator of that business? My Portrait business was thriving. I just had my biggest year yet and my family and I were pretty much living off the income of that business. My life felt like it was being taken from me.

There were a few things that happened when I arrived and while I was in the hospital. So here’s a few positive and pretty cool in my opinion things that happened.
So here I was half coherent in the emergency room and what do we have here.
The emergency room Dr that admitted me. Was actually a Client that I photographed earlier in the year for his and his wife’s Maternity and Newborn Session. This brought Joy and tears all at the same time.
I also want to give thanks to my God Jehovah for taking care of me and all our financial needs.
Because the next thing that happened was a true blessing and showing that my god provides for our family in need.
The morning of my surgery. I ended up receiving my biggest client order that I had ever had in my business. Oh and guess what. It was enough money to pay all my business expenses for 3 Months. Exactly how long the Dr said I would not be able to work.
This was so faith strengthening for me and truly helped me in my experience of staying resilient.
I do have some limitations from the whole accident. So I have had to  make some adjustments to how I do things in the business. There has definitely been lots of tears and pain to be able to keep going but I’m truly thankful for where I am today.

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

I truly believe once my portfolio was solid. That is when I really started getting a true reputation as a leader in my industry. So in whatever industry or business you’re trying to succeed in. Just know it takes time to build your portfolio. There is no overnight success usually. 99% of the time it’s all just hard work. So never compare yourself to those you see having overnight success and who went viral overnight. The platforms I think help with my reputation and show off my portfolio are my Website, Instagram, Facebook and Google my Business account.

Another very important thing that has helped build my reputation is. I give my all to my clients and make sure that I give them a great experience. Then in turn they have written testimonials for my business. Which is so important in building your reputation. So if your business isn’t’ gaining the reputation your wanting. It would be a good idea to get a outsiders look into your business. Hiring a marketing coach or a small business consultant to see if there is anything they might be able to suggest to help you build your reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.photographybylrose.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photography_by_laura_rose/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByLRose

Image Credits
All Images have been Photographed By Photography By L Rose