Dedicated to Dreamers, Movers, & Magic Makers

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shelly Xu, Founder of Some Shelly, located in Jersey City, NJ, USA.

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

Some Shelly is a creative agency based in NYC that offers photo + video services for wellness and lifestyle-based small businesses and creatives. Our customers are entrepreneurs, individuals, and small brands that care about empowering and uplifting their community.

Tell us about yourself

I first made the leap to go full-time in my business in 2019. I had been doing photography on the side since 2015 but never saw it as a full-time job. Since graduating from college in 2017, I have been looking for the perfect full-time corporate job but wasn't fully happy with any place I had worked. Making the leap to work for myself full-time was the best decision I ever made!

I love being able to make my own schedule, work when I want to, and do what I love every day. What motivates me every day is that I would never want to give up this freedom I have. I love being able to collaborate and work with like-minded people. I am able to pick and choose who I get to work with, and not everyone is able to get to work with people they love.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is that I've been able to grow my business to where I am able to say no to projects that I don't want to do! I am so lucky that I can now pick and choose who my clients are and not have to worry if I am not going to make enough money. The hardest part of being a creative is that you never know how much money you're going to make. Being able to grow your business and clientele to the point where you don't have to accept random projects you don't want to do is a huge accomplishment and is something anyone should be proud of!

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

One of the hardest things is doing everything yourself. It's hard to let go of all the tasks that come with being a business owner (which is A LOT!) to someone else because then you let go of control.

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

Just start! Come up with a plan and just start doing it.
Know your worth and then charge the right rate.
Use all your connections!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://someshelly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SomeShelly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/someshellyphotography/

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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