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

Hi Makenzie, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Happier? Oh yeah, no question. I’ve done a bunch of jobs – worked in an ice cream shop (for a day), a tourist shop, was a makeup artist for a well known cosmetics company, worked in a boutique, did grocery deliveries, and the worst, worked in insurance. That one killed me. It was soul-sucking, especially during peak COVID. I was stuck at home, both for work and personal life, barely leaving my house. Wake up, go to my desk, work, clock out, go back to bed – rinse and repeat. I felt like a corporate zombie.

I finally snapped and quit, leaving my only income source in a tanking economy with rent still due. I signed up for a grocery delivery service, which luckily was booming since no one wanted to go out. It kept me afloat.

In August 2020, my mom had a photoshoot at a well-known studio. Back in January 2020, I had met the photographer there and even interviewed with her but turned down the job because I was happy with my makeup gig. Then COVID hit, I lost that job, and ended up in insurance hell.

Fast forward to August, and there was the photographer I had interviewed with. We reconnected, and I’ve been working with her ever since. She pushed me to start my own business and guided me through it. She taught me the ropes, what to do, what NOT to do, and luckily I still have her by my side today to help guide me through the trials of running a business.

My photography business, Molly Green Portraits, is my baby and it’s growing into something bigger, something I never expected, but couldn’t be happier about. I now have Erotic Entrepreneur for spicy accountants, Boozy Betties, and a new venture called Meet Molly (shhh… not many know about this one yet) *WINK*WINK*

I’ve had a lot of regular jobs, and they always made me feel like a slave. Being my own boss is tough, with good days, bad days, and really bad days, but I wouldn’t trade it for a “regular job”. I’m way happier working on my own schedule, tackling my own tasks, and working for myself. The work I put into my business benefits me, not someone else.

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

Hi, I’m Kenzie Brooke. I’m the owner, photographer, digital media marketer, retoucher, content creator, and more at Molly Green Portraits. I got into this industry by luck – I never dreamed of being a photographer. But I always knew I wanted to be a business owner (got that strong Capricorn energy from a young age).

Molly Green Portraits is my photography business, but it’s more than that. It’s about giving people permission to be seen how they want to be seen. Sensuality is personal, and my job is to capture each individual’s unique persona. Molly Green Portraits is a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community, for people who feel unseen, and for those who are both comfortable and uncomfortable with themselves. I aim to help people see the beauty I see in them through my lens.

We’re also a safe space for sex workers. I have a sister brand, Erotic Entrepreneur, which is an online education brand for sex workers. It’s in the early stages but growing quickly. My goal with this brand is to work towards eliminating the stigma of consensual sex work.

That’s me. That’s who I am. Molly Green Portraits is about creating a space where people feel safe, seen, and celebrated. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my work is about empowerment, visibility, and authenticity.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Learning to unplug and set boundaries was a hard lesson for me to grasp. Growing up, I was raised to be a people pleaser, to be available to everyone, anytime. But owning a business shattered that notion. I quickly realized that being available 24/7 wasn’t sustainable if I wanted to survive. I had to prioritize my well-being and make time for myself.

The turning point came when I hit burnout a couple of years ago. It was a new low for me. I wasn’t angry or sad – I was numb. I had pushed myself so hard that I lost all sense of joy. I had forgotten the things I loved to do. That experience forced me to reevaluate my approach to work and life. I had to learn to say no, to set boundaries, and to carve out time for self-care. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary for my mental and emotional health. Now, I prioritize balance and make sure to take time for myself, knowing that it ultimately makes me a better business owner and person.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Contrary to what some might expect, my biggest advice is simple: be yourself. I’ll admit, I spent a lot of time emulating other creators, but it didn’t get me far. People can spot a copycat from a mile away, and what’s their usual response? “Oh, I’ve seen this before, NEXT!”

So, my advice? Be unique! Sure, jump on the trends, but put your own spin on them. That’s what catches people’s attention and keeps them engaged.

Contact Info:

• Website: Modmollyportraits.com
• Instagram: @mollygreenphotog
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/sev24K7vEin41Jrp/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Kenzie Brooke owner/photographer of Molly Green Portraits