We recently connected with Michole Kemp and have shared our conversation below.
Michole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.
A few years back when COVID-19 had us all at home rethinking our future. My fiancé and I were sitting around thinking of more ways to be productive and/or to bring in more income. At the time, my company ShotByMK was on pause like 85% of all other businesses in Atlanta. Right before the pandemic, my client’s were heavily demanding studio sessions. I spent a lot of time/money renting out other studios to provide a desired experience for my clients. However, I realized I wasn’t profiting as much as I should or could be. Also, the studios that I would use were not necessarily the environments I desired to be in, my clients either. My clients range from babies, to your everyday family, all the way to six-figure entrepreneurs. I wanted to be able to set professional yet fun vibes in my studio environment – So we came up with a “mobile studio” in a trailer/truck. I can take my studio wherever my creative journey takes me! The best part is I set the vibes. My clients have the most amazing and intimate experience in my studio truck. They become extremely confident in having this space to themselves. The comfortability level of your client truly matters when creating! Lastly, not only do I create daily in this space – but I also have opened the studio for rental to other photographers, located in the Decatur/Atlanta area.
Michole, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Years back as a High School student, I was an obsessed Nicki Minaj fan, with a new digital camera. I spent my High School years making Nicki Minaj videos with my High School classmates. This turned into my classmates wanting to pay me for their own personal video projects. That was where I discovered that this may be an awesome career choice for me. After graduating high school, I then graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelors in Film. Today, I help small businesses increase their sales with high-end content. I also provide everlasting photography for families in the Decatur and Metro Atlanta communities. Many things set me apart from others. My customer service is top notch. I go above and beyond for my clients in more ways than other photographers could even imagine. I am proud to be a young black female entrepreneur that is paving the way for future female photographers. I am blown away with the constant support I’ve received from my community and customers for the past 7 years. I am so excited to see what the future holds for ShotByMK.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During Covid-19, everyone’s businesses were affected. At this time, several of my clients had to cancel or reschedule their services-this meant weddings, baby showers, and several bookings on my schedule were now gone. This tough moment pushed me to create the ShotByMK photo studio truck. I used the down time of being quarantined, to build the layout of my studio truck. It took a full year working with contractors, designers and my team to get the studio truck exactly how I imagined it. I installed a bathroom, a lobby and a full photography room to take photos. Fast forward to the opening of my studio trailer. As we began to take customers, I realized having a bathroom in the trailer was a horrible idea. In the midst of managing bookings and being the lead photographer, I had to orchestrate a bathroom renovation. Tough decisions were made as well as money was lost as I turned the bathroom into a private dressing room. Due to my hasty decision in the beginning, my company had to pivot during the unpleasant timeframe.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
With every ShotByMK service, our client receives a phone consultation with me. From the moment they book a service, the rapport with my client is strong. During their service, they are 100% comfortable, we achieve the content that was desired and we may even become friends in the midst of business. With my family-like customer service, my clients remain in touch with me, Although we have referral programs and automated emails, I have always enjoyed keeping a direct approach with my clients. They always know I am just a phone call away!
Contact Info:
- Website: ShotByMK
- Instagram: Instagram.com/ShotByMK
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShotByMK.MicholeKemp/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michole-kemp-74ab6085
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shotbymk
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/majormovieproduction/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shotbymk-decatur
Image Credits
All Photography is by ShotByMK.com