We were lucky to catch up with Robby Solis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Robby, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

I have never really had much of a problem asking friends and family to support my business due in large part to the fact that I am never shy to support my friend’s businesses or ventures. That said, I have found that at times it can seem a bit excessive when I need to continue to post stuff on social media. My internal alarm goes off and in my mind I feel like they are saying to themselves, “Here we go again!”. Only to find out later that people appreciate staying informed. To the extent that most in person interactions tend to start or end with friends and family saying they appreciate my hustle.

We are fortunate in today’s day and age to have the ability to market the way we do. It has definitely lent itself to success with both my photography and music business booming shortly after I made the announcement that I was leaving Corporate America after 27 years. Best decision I have made in my career, by the way. That said, this side of the coin has offered its set of challenges. But none so challenging that I have yet to overcome them.

I love waking up knowing that I work for myself and that my decisions offer a direct impact on my success. Beyond that, I love what I do. I get to take photos and make music for people. In most cases that is an interaction that puts a smile on others faces and as a result, my heart is full.

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 an artist I always struggle to answer this question because I have multiple artistic projects going on at once. When people ask me what I do for a living I simply answer by saying I am a Musician and Photographer. While a simple answer on the surface, it does get quite complicated. What I mean by that is that the vast majority of my time is spent working on my photography business. The business is called Gemini Photography and Design. This is where I really get to dig in to both the artistic and business sides of my brain.

I got in to photography in 2006 when my daughter was born. I wanted to document as much of her life as I could so I bought what I thought was the best camera ever. Looking back, it was barely entry level. As time progressed people started to appreciate the artistic approach and results I was getting. So I upgraded. Then others inquired about me doing photos for their families, to which I was humbled and excited to explore. Over the next few years I gave away a ton of photos shoots as a means to practice my craft and build a portfolio. That eventually parlayed in to a substantial side hustle that was generating a good amount of revenue. I was getting better, enjoying the craft, and people were willing to pay me for my services. A perfect formula for a successful business venture.

As this side hustle began to take shape, I struggled with where I was going with my career and decided it was time to put a bit more effort in to giving it a go and investing in myself. I once again upgraded my gear and practiced, practiced, practiced. All the while earning a reputation as someone who is fun to work with that delivers quality results. That’s a big part of where I feel I make a difference in this space.

Taking on this venture also offered me the time to pursue another passion of mine, music. In 2020, I decided to start songwriting. What an adventure that has been! I’ve always, sang, played guitar, and performed but never had I put pen to paper and crafted a song from the ethos. But once I did, it all started flowing. I wrote 6 songs in a matter of a few weeks and within a year was working on recording an album called “High Road” under the name SOLIS & The Unwritten. Teh album was released in 2023 and has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done.

I am now working full time for myself doing portraits, boudoir, corporate, wedding and event photography while pursuing my passion to create music. It’s been quite the journey, but one I only wished I had started sooner.

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

The age old question…How do you find new clients? Well, that’s the tough part, in the beginning that is. What I mean is that when I first started, it was a struggle. I’m not saying it’s easy now, but it has definitely become much easier. I am fairly priced, I am punctual, I am consistent, and I deliver quality results. This has lent itself to organic growth with minimal effort. Clients refer others to me once they have the opportunity to work with me. In addition, I have found multiple avenues to market that if I only I had found sooner, I would have transitioned to this line of work much sooner as well.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I guess the best example I can give would be to illustrate what I gave up to pursue my passion. I gave up security. I gave up a steady paycheck. I gave up a six figured income. I gave up knowing that I would always be able to provide. But once I put the effort in to myself that I was putting in to building businesses for other people, I found that success followed. It has been far from smooth sailing. There have been many times when I have wanted to quit and go back the safety of an 8 to 5 job with benefits and 401k etc. But my efforts have always steered me back to staying resilient and making what I have started actually work.

There are many days as a business owner that I think to myself, “Why am I doing this?”. The answer is easy, because I love what I do and I am happier doing it. That alone keeps me resilient.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.geminidesignatx.com
• Instagram: @geminidesignatx
• Facebook: @geminidesignatx