Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Molly Childress. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Molly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. 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?
If I could go back in time, I would have definitely started my business sooner. I have always had a passion for photography, ever since I was a child. I remember watching behind the scenes for a movie with my mom and seeing the cameraman and saying to her, “that’s what I want to do when I grow up.” In my senior year of high school, I was named photographer of the year and only continued to practice my passion for a couple of years. My first job out of high school was at the portrait studio in Walmart as a photographer. I learned quickly that even though, I loved photography, studio photography was not for me. So I put my passion on pause and got a job in a liquor distribution warehouse and then a pharmaceutical distribution warehouse. After 10 years in distribution, I realized I might have missed my calling. Although I still did photography as a hobby as I worked full time, I can only imagine where I would be if I had stuck to photography and found my niche sooner. Instead of wasting almost 10 years at jobs that were going nowhere.
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
As stated before, I am a photographer, videography, and studio owner based in South Carolina. My niche is boudoir, editorial, and wedding videography. The photography and videography industry is super saturated, so I would like to think what sets me apart is the years and education I have under my belt. Although I worked full-time in a warehouse for 10 years, I went to school online and took on clients during the weekend before ultimately leaving. My skill is always evolving and improving. Although my studio is available for rent hourly to other creatives, my studio is set up specifically for my style of boudoir photography. And unless you know lighting and posing, you’re not going to get the same experience with everyone. Wanderlust Photography LLC | Wanderlust Boudoir is all-inclusive, and we invite everyone to our studio with open arms.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Originally I was operating out of my home in my master bedroom I had converted to a boudoir studio. The business had finally started to really take off this year and my husband finally said “get a studio, I’m tired of being kicked out of my home” in the most loving way. He has been telling me for a while, I am good enough and make enough money to do so, so what was I waiting for? With the money I made from a couple of clients in July and a small business loan, I took the plunge to open my own studio in August. Its been successful ever since and I am so excited for the years to come!
How did you build your audience on social media?
Boudoir seems to be very popular on social media. I don’t have the biggest following on social media, but I have gone “viral” a couple of times on TikTok. Last year I did a small video of my studio for a themed boudoir session and had my best year yet, until this year that is. Now it’s slowly growing organically.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wanderlustboudoir.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustboudoirsc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanderlustboudoirsc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-9L1apVLrO5ETjrhh9coDQ
- Other: https://www.wanderlusphotographysc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustphotographysc/ https://www.facebook.com/wanderlustphotographysc
Image Credits
Conny Nichole Kim Azlyn