Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Cooper. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
When I graduated high school, I headed off to Kent State that Fall like everyone taught us we were supposed to do. I was certain I was going to be the BEST Art teacher in the world and maybe I would have been had circumstances been different. I found myself in the midst of chaos as 9/11 blared on our TV sets as I walked into English Comp 101 that morning. It really changed to trajectory of my college life and plan. Our professors warned us to consider a different path as the education system was rapidly changing- even more so following 9/11. I found myself still in love with the high school boy I had left at home and decided to change direction and go back home to community college. I followed that same boy to NW Ohio and changed my whole plan again. I found myself in retail management- how did I get there! That boy became my husband, and sadly passed away in 2014 after a battle with injury, pain, and more. It left me in a place, the first time in my adult life, where I was alone, I had never really dated as an adult, lived on my own, did any of life’s major events by myself. I was LOST. I had lost my retail management job and was working in an office, 8-5, every day, doing accounting (HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?), staring out of the window knowing I had so much more potential. I was a creative. I was the kind of person that really could make anything happen yet here I was punching a timeclock every day, letting my skills and passion waste away. I lost my home, most of my things, and really had to start over from nothing- building back from a small 1 room efficiency apartment. I slowly started exploring photography more and more. I had spent a lot of time in my college years, drawing, painting, and doing ceramics, but not photography. I found that I loved to bake and could decorate a MEAN cake. People began to seek me out for these more creative options and I saw that I truly had potential. In this time, I met my now husband, Dan. He too is also a creative, a talented singer/songwriter musician so he GOT IT. I came across a post seeking someone for social media marketing and thought to myself THAT IS MY JOB. I struggled with the idea of leaving a job I was good at, a boss that respected me, a steady paycheck and decent benefits for the world of contractor work, no benefits, relying completely on myself. I applied anyway, crushed the assignment, and dove head first into a whole new career path with very little experience but a WHOLE lot of drive. I was able to utilize my photography skills, writing, and creative critical thinking and felt so FREE! That particular path lead me into a creative director role rather quickly. The company asked my creative husband to join forces and we found ourselves just as quickly, unemployed! We were up against a wall, sure I was still shooting weddings but I wasn’t quite to true full time status yet. WE WERE SCARED! I had about a year and a half of experience really deep diving into the industry at this point. I knew I could make a go at trying it on my own and making something happen. Between social media and photography, there was so much opportunity. My husband heroically offered to rejoin the work for to bring in a solid income and benefits to cover us and set me free to explore starting my own creative agency. We are a year and 8 months into the journey, fully booked with wedding photography, 15 amazing local businesses social media marketing accounts, countless brand shoots, and building. NOW the risk is when is it time to let him come home and let the two of us stand together in this business owner world! I credit so much of my success to him for giving me the opportunity to try, to networking partnerships, businesses that took a chance on a new agency, and the friendships I have formed a long the way that have really lifted me up and shown me how powerful, creative, talented, and WORTH it I am!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I work in two worlds- the wedding industry- a whole beast on its own and with social media marketing specializing truly with small business owners. I do my best to keep my agency fees attainable and help lift the ships of local businesses so they have the chance to thrive. Social media marketing is imperative to any business in todays economy and market, without visibility, you truly are losing out on just about 60% of potential sales. I love to work with companies that trust my vision and work with me to create, unique, custom content that is curated specifically for their business and goals right here. I show up and create that content with them, their team, in their space, their city, representing their client and customer base!
Being a professional photographer and videographer has let me create powerful, quality content for my clients- not something every agency has to offer- often times you are asked to hire a photographer and provide these assets to the social media agency or they use stock images that don’t truly capture your brand. I really immerse myself into getting to know the teams and couples that I am working with because having that connection allows us to create authentic content whether for a business sale or the most intimate moment of a wedding day.
I am a co-leader for the local Rising Tide Toledo group- a organization that stands for community over competition- where we address various topics each month to help local business owners thrive and have a safe space to discuss issues and wins with other like minded people. I take this same approach inside of both of the sides of the business as well. I often refer to others in the industry when I am simply not available or know they would be a better fit. There is so much power in community and that gets lost a lot in todays world!
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
I have found so much community in the networking circles happening all over the area. I take a lot of time to go to events, introduce myself, and seek opportunities where I may be able to help. I donate my time or services sometimes to help others see the value in social media marketing! I am a member of BNI NWO, HERHUB, Maumee Chamber of Commerce, Toledo PICS, Co-Leader of Rising Tide Toledo. I look for opportunities to meet new people and approach it with a warm, friendly demeanor to get to know the other outstanding business owners in the area. The relationships I have built with referral partners have really lead my business to thrive, and thrive quickly. Showing up authentically and looking for opportunities in ways you can help builds amazing relationships with others.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Freedom. It is the freedom I have been running after my whole life. It is a way to let my mind shine the way it is intended to do. It gives me the space to determine what is best for me and walk away from projects that just don’t align with my business. Not living by a timeclock under the microscope of a boss is amazing. This doesn’t mean working less, obviously, just differently.
Contact Info:
- Website: belleandbeephotography.com belleandbeecompany.com
- Instagram: @bellenbeephotography @belleandbeemarketing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellenbeephotography https://www.facebook.com/BellenBeeCompanySMM
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-cooper-lockmiller-a3788b80/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@belleandbeecompany
