We were lucky to catch up with Mika Street recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mika, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?
One of the most important lessons I learned as a business owner came from my time working at a Pilates studio, which I owned and operated, building it from the ground up. In my 20s and 30s, I was driven by passion and dedication, working an insane number of hours because I loved what I did. It never felt like work to me.
However, as I’ve grown older and now have a family, my perspective has shifted. In my mid-40s, I realized the significance of balance in life. The experience of pouring countless hours into my business taught me that while hard work and passion are crucial, they need to be balanced with personal time and well-being. I learned the importance of working smarter.
This realization has shaped how I approach my work today. I focus on efficiency, delegation, and making time for my family and myself. This balance has not only improved my quality of life but has also made me a more effective and strategic business owner.
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.
Mika is a Mill Valley, CA based photographer who has a passion for capturing the beauty of landscapes, seascapes, and travel through the lens of her camera.
Born in Israel, Mika had a unique childhood having lived on a boat for three years. Her early years sparked a lifelong love affair with travel and adventure. Her early exposure to different cultures and environments fostered her passion for exploration; she uses her lens to share that with the world.
Mika’s journey to becoming a photographer was circuitous, with detours that included a stint in corporate work at one of the big 5 consulting firms and a successful career as an independent entrepreneur owning and operating Pilates studios in NYC and the Hamptons. Despite these diverse paths, Mika always had a love for photography and a desire to pursue it professionally. Time at home with her two children gave her the space and perspective to shift her career and to fuel her passion.
With an eye for capturing the essence of each place she visits, Mika has a talent for showcasing the world in all its beauty and diversity. Her work is characterized by the use of natural, ethereal light and a deep appreciation for the world around her.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
I have never been an early tech adopter, so I did not jump on the NFT bandwagon when they first came to market. While I am not an expert data seems to show that they peaked about two years ago, that said, they could always see a resurgence. I have not invested my time or energy into them.
Despite receiving frequent requests to purchase my photography as NFTs, I consider most of these to be spam. I remain curious and continue to learn about the industry, but I do not have plans to actively participate in the NFT market currently.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
One resource I wish I knew about earlier in my creative journey is the app ArtPlacer. I spent countless hours trying to create renderings of my photography in various spaces, often feeling frustrated with the process. Discovering ArtPlacer was a game-changer; it made the task easy and fun, allowing me to focus more on other creative aspects of my work. This app has significantly streamlined my workflow, and I highly recommend it to any artist looking to showcase their work in real-world settings effortlessly.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mikastreet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikastreetphotography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mika-street-4b09741/
Image Credits
Mika Street Photography