We were lucky to catch up with Tania Blake recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tania, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

Looking back, I definitely wish I would have started my business sooner. Although I am a big believer in the philosophy that everything happens for a reason! When I look back, every decision I made and experience I had ultimately led me to where I was meant to be … it just took a little longer than I had hoped, and sometimes I can’t help but wish I had figured it out earlier in life.

I think I was always meant to be an entrepreneur. When I was younger, I was always coming up with scrappy ways to make some extra money. When I was in grade school, I would make ninja stars out of paper, colour them, and sell them for 25 cents. 😂 When I was in university, I started a private Facebook group where I sold clothing and accessories. I remember all through my 20s dreaming of quitting my corporate job to start my own marketing agency, but the idea always felt so scary and overwhelming.

Even though I felt the pull early on to be an entrepreneur, I ended up going down a pretty traditional path. I entered the corporate world shortly after graduating from university. I went into marketing thinking that I would get to be creative, and even though I got to dabble in some creative projects, it was never really satisfying enough for me and I would get bored easily. Deep down I knew I wanted to do something creative and be my own boss.

It wasn’t until over a decade later that I decided to listen to the little nudges and whispers of my heart and pursue photography, which was something that always interested me but I never really considered it to be more than a hobby. I was pregnant with my son in 2015 when I decided to go back to school part-time and take a few photography courses while working my full-time job. It wasn’t until 2019, however, after I had my second child (my daughter) that I actually started my business.

I started out doing family photography and eventually found my way to branding and interior photography in 2020. When I started my business, my intention was for it to be a creative side hustle. But when I started doing branding and interior photography, I quickly realized how much it lit me up and how much I wanted it to be my full-time gig. In February 2023, I left my corporate marketing job to pursue my business full-time! It’s been almost two decades since I graduated from university and I still can’t believe it took me this long to find a career that I love and am passionate about. But better late than never I guess, right??

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have always been a creative person. Since I can remember, I’ve loved creating — drawing, painting, playing music, writing, taking pictures, you name it! But these things were always just hobbies to me. I never really considered turning any of them into a career. In fact, it wasn’t until after I had kids that I decided to go back to school and pursue a more creative path. I guess there was something about having children that made me realize life is too short and now was the time. I had to follow my heart.

After a few courses and two kids, I decided to officially launch my photography business in 2019. I started out doing family photography (very part-time as a side hustle), and eventually, stumbled across branding and interior photography in 2020. I quickly realized that working with female creatives and business owners was what I was meant to do. Fast forward to February 2023, I quit my corporate marketing job to pursue my business full-time.

Today, I’m a branding and interior photographer and marketing expert. I help small business owners elevate their brands with authentic, intentional, and strategic images. I also recently started offering my clients marketing and copywriting services, since that’s what I did in the corporate world for over 15 years. 

My mission is to help women in business. Help them build confidence, elevate their brand and their marketing, attract their dream clients, and ultimately, make more money so they can continue pursuing their dreams and their passions.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I once heard this quote, “Nothing bad happens when women make more money” and I honestly believe that to my core.

Women are freekin’ superheroes. They think and do things differently than men. They lead differently. And I believe the world needs more women running successful businesses. And that’s really what fuels my mission. Ultimately, I want to help women in business succeed.

I love building them up and cheering them on. I love seeing their eyes light up when I show them the back of my camera during a session. I love seeing them implement their photos in their marketing to stand out and call in their dream clients.

When I help female entrepreneurs show up more confidently in their businesses, I feel like I’m helping other women in the world. Because when we have more women trusting and believing in themselves, and putting themselves out there, the more we inspire other women to do the same. And I think that’s pretty damn cool.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve pivoted a few times in my business in the last few years. The first time was in 2020 when I realized that family photography wasn’t for me. I had spent a year building up an amazing client base and I was making good money as a side hustle, but I knew deep down that my heart wasn’t into it. 

Once I found branding and interior photography, I realized I had to let go of family photography and ultimately, start from scratch. Logically, it didn’t make any sense. But it just felt right. So at the end of 2020, I put it out there that I would no longer be offering family photography and pivoted to branding and interior photography in January 2021.

Recently, I had to pivot again once I realized I had reached the end of my rope in the corporate world and decided to transition to full-time entrepreneurship. I left a good salary, benefits, and all the things behind! Again, logically, most people would probably look at me and say I’m crazy, but it just felt like the right thing to do. 😊

Contact Info:

• Website: www.taniablakecreative.com
• Instagram: taniablakecreative
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniablakecreative
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniablake/

Image Credits
For photos of me (pink sweater) – Credit: Sonia V Photography – https://soniavphotography.com/ For all other photos – Credit: Tania Blake Creative – https://www.taniablakecreative.com/