We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Missy Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Missy, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

For me, success as an entrepreneur, photographer, and brand bestie, is all about infusing every aspect of what I do with heart and soul. It’s about more than just turning a profit; it’s about creating genuine connections, fostering relationships, and igniting the light within others so they can share their gifts to keep inspiring and helping others.

Picture this: every photo i’ve taken, every brainstorming session with a client, every interaction with fellow entrepreneurs—it’s all fueled by passion and a deep-seated belief in the power of human connection. I value people above all else, and I pour my heart into building meaningful relationships that go beyond transactions. It doesn’t mean I don’t fail at relationships, I do…but I learn how to navigate the failures and pray for good to come from it.

Success, to me, is having the freedom to live a life with purpose while also making a positive impact on those around me in my tiny corner of the world. It’s about helping others discover their own brilliance and sharing their unique stories with others. It’s slow mornings with hot cups of coffee, being able to drive to the North Shore on a Tuesday to photograph someone and a Friday night in snuggled up with my husband without the stress of someone else’s timeline.

Sure, money is important—it keeps the lights on and allows me to continue doing what I love. But it’s the heart and soul behind my business that truly drive me forward, especially when faced with challenges. Because when you’re fueled by passion and a genuine desire to uplift others, there’s *almost* nothing too big to overcome. That’s the kind of success that keeps me going, day in and day out.

Missy, 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?

Born with a heart brimming with passion and a soul craving connection, my journey has always been guided by the belief that people and relationships trumped any standardized test score or material possessions. From the outset, I sensed the magnetic pull of the arts, knowing instinctively that it would be my ultimate destination, though the exact path remained shrouded in uncertainty.

Venturing into the realm of higher education, I pursued a course in advertising and graphic design at a time when the digital landscape was still in its infancy, long before the advent of social media revolutionized our world. Despite the absence of hashtags and likes, I reveled in the art of crafting advertisements, capturing moments through the lens of a Minolta film camera, weaving narratives through creative writing, and collaborating with kindred spirits to breathe life into projects.

Upon donning the cap and gown of graduation, I found myself ensconced within the corridors of corporate advertising, serving a company entrenched in the service industry. Yet, amidst the confines of boardrooms and bottom lines, my heart yearned for more—a desire to pursue photography, a passion that had simmered on the sidelines, capturing the essence of family and friends in fleeting moments.

With courage as my compass, I embarked on a new chapter, founding Missy Jones Photography and embracing it as a full-time endeavor. The subsequent decade unfurled like a whirlwind of travel and countless photoshoots spanning the spectrum of life’s milestones—families, weddings, newborns, products, births, seniors, headshots, and events. I was living my dream, but in the fervor of chasing the next frame, I realized that my business had begun to steer the ship, dictating the course of my days, nights, and weekends.

Despite the love that fueled my endeavors, I found myself at a crossroads, grappling with the realization that my business was running me rather than the inverse. I stepped back. I had now embarked on a new career, working in e-commerce and retail for an online women’s clothing company. I took on the role as creative director, advertising executive, clothing photographer, designer, any and everything I could get my hands on! I loved this job, the travel it brought and relationships that flourished from it.

Yet after almost 6 years there, the pull to pursue Missy Jones Photography again was too strong. In the midst of the hustle and bustle working for someone else full time, I couldn’t shake this feeling deep down—a tug at my heartstrings, urging me to pivot, to evolve. It wasn’t about abandoning what I loved; it was about embracing it in a new light. So, with a mix of excitement and trepidation, I embarked on a journey to redefine Missy Jones Photography.

This time around, I felt a magnetic pull towards helping brands tell their stories. But let me tell you, it’s been a journey of discovery—one filled with moments of triumph and, yes, a fair share of stumbling blocks. I’m still learning, still figuring out the best way to help brands shine. But what drives me forward is the passion to unearth the heartbeat of each brand, to capture their essence in every frame, and to weave their narratives into captivating stories.

With each new client, I dive in headfirst, eager to understand who they are, what makes them tick, and what sets their soul on fire. It’s a journey of collaboration, exploration, and most times a little trial and error. But through it all, I’m committed to giving my all, to honing my craft, and to helping brands find their voice in a crowded digital landscape.

So, if you’re wondering if I have it all figured out, the answer is no—far from it. But what I can promise is unwavering dedication, boundless creativity, and a genuine desire to help your brand shine like never before.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

You know, in this digital age, authenticity is everything. Ugh that word is so overused but it’s TRUE. I’ve come to realize that the best source of new clients isn’t some fancy marketing campaign or flashy ad—it’s good old-fashioned word-of-mouth, fueled by genuine connections and shared experiences…that I tend to share on social media and in my new podcast.

That’s why I’ve made it a priority to share who I am, both personally and professionally on social media. From the behind-the-scenes glimpses of my photography process to the stories that inspire me, to me hanging out on the weekends and sharing what I love outside of my business. I strive to be transparent, relatable, and real. I’m messy, don’t have it all together, but I mean well and do the best I can with the moments I have. Because when you let people into your world, when you show them the person behind the business, magic happens.

It’s through this method that referrals come pouring in—friends telling friends, and the minute I post a reel or story that prompts reaction, I get a new client or lead from it. People want to work with someone they know, like, and trust. And by putting myself out there, by sharing my journey and my passion for what I do, I’m not just attracting clients—I’m building a community around my #brandbestie method.

So, if you ever wonder why I’m constantly posting on social media or sharing blog posts or stories about my latest adventures, now you know—it’s not just about building a brand; it’s about building relationships. And in a world where connections are everything, that’s what truly sets me apart. If social media was GONE tomorrow, I know I would still have lasting relationships to keep my business going.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Alright, buckle up for some youthful enthusiasm, questionable financial decisions, and a pinch of luck! Picture this: a bright-eyed 24-year-old me, bursting with excitement and armed with a dream to pursue photography full-time. But alas, dreams don’t pay the bills—at least not initially.

So, there I was, facing the daunting prospect of funding my new venture. And what did I do? Well, in a move that would make any financial advisor cringe, I decided to cash out my 401k. Yep, you heard that right—I traded in future security for present passion at the age of 24 to go all in.

Now, you might be thinking, “Missy, what were you thinking?” And trust me, I’ve asked myself the same question a time or two. But here’s the thing—I had this gut feeling, this unwavering belief that I was onto something special. And sometimes, you’ve gotta take a leap of faith, even if it means raiding your retirement savings.

With a good chunk of change in hand. I set out to turn my passion into purpose. From buying a new full frame Canon camera, a 35 mm, 70-200 mm lens, invested in some software and a new computer…I hit the ground running. I’m so thankful my boyfriend (and now husband) was so supportive during all of this. Honestly beyond thinking I was a bit crazy, he always has believed in me.

Sure, there were moments of uncertainty and more than a few sleepless nights. But looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Because sometimes, the best decisions are the ones that defy logic, the ones that make for a great story at dinner parties—and let me tell you, this story I rarely share but here I am now sharing it haha. So here’s to taking risks, following your heart, and cashing out your 401k for the sake of a dream, even if there is only 11k in there. Who knew retirement planning could be so adventurous?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.missyjonesphotography.com
• Instagram: @missyjonesphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaelizabethjones/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/missyjonesphotography/
• Other: Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2321488

Image Credits
Missy’s Headshots by: Elisabeth Eden