We recently connected with Lucero Rivero and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lucero thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

This question means a lot to me. I used to work in restaurants for many years, and I was lucky to have a boss who cared about making people happy. My happiness was all about traveling – at least once a month short trips and two big trips abroad every year, each lasting a month.

When I decided to work for myself as a freelancer, I found it hard to take vacations, even though I was my own boss. Recently, I decided to make a change. I forced myself to buy a plane ticket for a four-week vacation and let all my clients know I’d be away. I was scared because I thought I would lose money during that time. We often get so caught up in making money that we forget about our happiness.

To my surprise, I didn’t lose any money at all during that month away. My clients booked lots of work before I left, so I not only made my usual income but also doubled my profit for that month prior my trip. Taking that break not only gave me the rest I needed but also let me enjoy a whole month off, and I still made money. Find a way around and don’t let your passion strip away your happiness.

Lucero, 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?

Hey, I’m Lu, originally from Venezuela, now living in the Valley. I fell in love with Arizona, and that’s where my passion for creating content really took off.

I got my start helping the marketing team at a resort I used to work at, even though my English wasn’t perfect. I asked if I could help out, offering to take pictures with my camera, even though I didn’t really know how to use it back then. Luckily, someone on the marketing team said yes, and I became their assistant.

In 2019, I helped one of their accounts go from 100 followers to over 5000 in just six months. During this time, I realized my true passion was in photos and videos. Soon, friends started asking me to take their pictures, and I even got different gigs creating videos/reels for others restaurants. In 2022, I took a big step and quit my job to become a full-time content creator for businesses in the State, and some clients from outside the state too.

Looking forward, I hope to become an international content creator. A big part of my journey has been learning from people I admire and giving back. I’m grateful for my freelancer friends, and our friendships are all about helping each other out. Giving back is important to me, and even if you don’t get something in return right away, the satisfaction of helping is worth it.

Today, my main focus is on creating short reels that strike a balance between excellent quality and affordability. Depending on the client’s needs, I start by meeting them in person to exchange ideas for their business. After understanding their vision, I determine which of my packages suits them best. For some clients, I offer professional camera quality, while for others, I can even use my iPhone, adjusting based on their budget and the nature of their product or service. Regardless of the equipment, I always strive to deliver outstanding results.

What sets me apart is the honesty and friendship I extend to my clients. I believe that a strong relationship is crucial for achieving the outcomes we all desire. Without a great connection, things might not work out as seamlessly.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

If you’re aspiring to become a photographer/videographer, here’s my advice: you don’t need expensive equipment to kickstart your business. I began with an $800 camera, the kit lens it came with, and a small $40 light. Nowadays, even iPhones can capture high-quality content for your clients.

After a year of working with my full time serving job in the restaurant/resort and my modest income from marketing, I decided to upgrade to a $1000 camera body. Surprisingly, my dream lens, priced at $1800, became a reality when my boss at work challenged me to hit a goal on the marketing team, promising me the lens if I succeeded. I achieved it, and for almost three years now, that dream lens has been the powerhouse behind a good amount of my earnings. However, even though I can now afford my other dream lens, I still prioritize getting equipment based on what I need.

The point here is that you don’t need the best equipment right away. Build your brand and let it grow organically. If you have the means to invest in equipment from the beginning, that’s perfectly fine; it just wasn’t my situation, and I still made it!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I really like this question because sharing my story might help others. The reason I became a full-time videographer wasn’t my plan. In August 2023, my jaw started hurting a lot, the worst pain I’d ever felt. I thought it would go away on its own, but it didn’t. I went to the emergency room twice that month, desperately looking for answers, but no one could tell me what was causing the horrible pain in my face.

That’s when my life took a big turn. I had to quit my job as a waitress because talking for more than a few minutes caused me too much pain. But I needed money, so my part-time job turned into a full-time one. I started offering videography services to restaurants, airbnb, hotels & more, and slowly I began getting regular clients. Even though I was still in pain, this job didn’t require me to talk for long hours.

I always tell my friends and people I know that something great came out of a really painful situation. Without that experience, I might never have discovered I could do videography full-time. Even today, more than a year later, I still deal with daily pain in my face. Just three months ago, I finally got a diagnosis and learned why I’ve been going through this terrible facial pain that the only solution will be a very difficult surgery in the near future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lrmediapro.com
• Instagram: @Lucerorivero

Image Credits
all the images provided are mine.