We recently connected with Michael Robinson and have shared our conversation below.

Michael , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Knowing how much insight is needed to run a successful business and produce excellence in my field, I wish I would have started sooner. My business, MR-AH Photography, became official in 2016. Prior to that time, my pastor asked me to help take pictures at church. Not knowing much about photography, I purchased a camera and complied to my pastor’s request. When people saw me taking pictures, they started asking if I was a photographer. That perked my curiosity further and I started to see myself as more than a novice volunteer. I started investing in myself. I went to YouTube University and started watching tutorial videos by people who had more understanding of photography than me. I began purchasing equipment and trying things out. I took a lot of free pictures to practice and perfect the newfound gift within myself. I always liked technology and photography has a lot of technological equipment and components. Running a business is a separate skillset from photography and thankfully my wife helps me do that side of things. Eventually, I rented space in a commercial plaza and now have my own studio. My business also expanded into videography. My message to upcoming entrepreneurs is to practice and perfect your skill set. What you are doing when nobody is looking determines your level and your value when you come into view.

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

Photography and videography are often requested for social gatherings. During COVID many events ceased, and people were only in public for necessities. The skillset I had developed, and my equipment was needed in new ways. Various churches and other organizations started contacting me to be able to broadcast their content so they could stay connected with their congregation and community. What seemed like would have been a financial decline, actually became very profitable. I was not excessively charging high rates for my services, but people were so thankful as I was helping to meet their needs offered tips and referrals to others.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Thank God for Best Buy, who offers interest free credit purchases for a set time frame. My wife and I also extended our personal credit to acquire business assets little-by-little.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mrahphotography.com
• Instagram: mr-ahphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrahphotography321/
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
MR-AH Photography