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

Mary Clare, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Starting a business by myself, during a global pandemic, with hardly any money to grow off of was certainly a challenging start to what I now call my successful business and a full-time creative career. If somebody would have told me that getting to where I am today was going to take as long as it did, I may not follow through. Looking back, I couldn’t imagine if I didn’t go through the journey I did; because it not only gave me a full-time career I’m obsessed with, but it taught me how to work harder than I ever could.

To make a creative career your full-time career, it takes some trial and error. If you go into certain projects optimistically it isn’t so bad. It takes the projects or clients you don’t resonate with to help you find the ones you are in love with. You have to see what makes you wake up every day excited to get the job done. Starting at lower rates is also something that went by faster than I thought. I tried hard to focus on working hard for my future, not for a certain number. Once people began to see and trust my work, I was able to raise prices to what I am proud of.

Entrepreneurship is glamorized today, doing everything yourself and creating something “unique” for your audience. However, it is not as easy as it seems. Working for yourself can be lonely, tiring, and full of internal battles about what to do next. Simultaneously, it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life and knowing I truly started from the ground up before anyone believed in me. If you want to leave your legacy behind through entrepreneurship, go for it.

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?

My business, Mary Clare Kolbush Films, is a videography and film business that covers weddings, commercials, and documentary projects. Anyone in the event world can agree that it is a huge commitment to giving up weekends and sometimes even holidays for your clients. However, weddings are the most rewarding work I do, because I get to make a couple feel beautiful, seen, and hold onto something for the rest of their life for generations to come.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I believe that life is a constant and growing, work of art. When I hear people’s stories about how they met their life partner or how they got to a point in a life of bliss, it all came together perfectly for them. When I film weddings, I feel like I get to show this to them through the body of work I create for them.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

One of the most effective strategies I have found is to post consistently and honestly. You don’t have to post everyday for people to know you’re booked and busy, but to share parts of your work or BTS help them remember you when they either need your service or are referring you to others. Sharing work that represents you, not following all the trends, helps you stand out too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maryclarekolbush.com
• Instagram: @maryclarekolbush.films

Image Credits
Three Lines Creative