Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alicia Rios, Founder of Alicia Leigh Photography, located in Austin, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

As an Austin personal brand photographer, I serve creatives and small business owners through a supportive experience that helps them show up more authentically and confidently in their business. We create brand visuals that help you stand out online and add value to your services by effectively speaking to the heart of who you are and what you do.

Tell us about yourself

My journey as a photographer began in 2012 while working as an elementary teacher. I was burned out and emotionally drained from my career and so unhappy that eventually, I accepted I couldn't stay that way. I began putting in the time to create the life I always wanted - work for myself as a photographer and build a business I loved. Initially, I started a wedding photography business alongside teaching and realized through that journey that I had a true passion for serving women and using my camera to rebuild their self-confidence and help them feel seen and valued.

To feel confident quitting teaching, which I didn't do until 2017, I spent years learning the ins and outs of running a business and building a brand so that when the time came, I'd be able to make the leap into full-time photography. When I discovered brand photography by a friend who really just needed photos for her website, I felt like I discovered the THING. Brand photography combined all the things I loved -  teaching others, photography, making women feel good in their own skin, and running a creative business. It was a natural progression that I was able to foster and turn into something I'm now so proud of. I help other women feel seen and celebrated while supporting them in their business journey and helping them craft something they're proud to show off. I'm incredibly thankful for finding this and having my client's trust and support.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Honestly, my biggest accomplishment to date has just been taking that first leap. Being brave enough to quit the job was making me so unhappy finally. And to finally TRULY bet on me and give it everything I had. That first leap created the space and courage for every leap that followed. The first leap gives you the context and experience to know that you can leap again. Everything was intimidating and overwhelming in the beginning. It is hard to believe in yourself when you're only at step 1. The secret is just to keep going.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Managing your mental health and your peace of mind while building your business. One of the hardest things about being a business owner is figuring out how to run your business effectively while also still being a functioning human. There's often no one else to ask, especially in the beginning. It's on you to figure things out, put things into action, and make everything work at the end of the day. That can be debilitating in the beginning. With time this fact can become freeing and your favorite part of working for yourself, but it doesn't happen overnight. You have to give yourself the time and space to learn what you don't know and grow into your business. Eventually, you'll have the right people in your corner that you can ask or offboard things too, but a lot of the time, it feels like everything is riding on you, and that can be hard to manage, especially when you're a department of one. I think it's important to reduce the pressure to have everything figured out and remember that all you need to do right now is take "imperfect action" and do it messy.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Work towards creating and growing a business you want in a few years. What types of clients do you want to serve? How do you want to spend your time? Are you contributing to the lifestyle you want for yourself? Is your business something that can evolve with you? Don't just do what you think you should do -- work towards the bigger picture that had you creating this business in the first place.
  2. Do it messy in the beginning. Any action is better than none. I was so caught up in "being ready" that I didn't take clients as soon as I should have, which only worsened my imposter syndrome and slowed my overall growth. Start where you are. You'll improve and grow with time, but you need to get started.
  3. Systematize! Work smarter, not harder. Put things into place that will allow you to serve your clients better while taking better care of yourself. Look into a great CRM (I love Dubsado), have a scheduler ready for consults and bookings, and create workflows and automated emails. Outsource things that are outside your zone of genius (when you're able to), as hard as that is, so you can do what you're great at and continue to build your business. You can't do it all forever -  and that's a good thing!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I love encouraging other people on their business journey, and I share a ton of resources on my blog. New business owners should check this one out: https://alicialeighphoto.com/how-to-run-a-creative-business-an-essential-guide/

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://alicialeighphoto.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicialeighphoto/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicialeighphoto/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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