CLIENT CASE STUDY | SUMMER SORIEE
Case Study for Solopreneur, photographer in Southern Indiana servicing clients for boudoir and headshots.
It is always a pleasure working with a fellow creative. This event was executed with the client after we figured out what they wanted to achieve. Not every event has to be a big to make a big impact on your bottom line. We focused on creating an on brand event that can be replicated for years to come.
Client Profile: Solopreneur, photographer in Southern Indiana servicing clients for boudoir and headshots.
CHALLENGE: Need to engage former boudoir clients outside of sessions and attract new clients.
SOLUTION: Creating an on brand event to welcoming more of the market to experience the new space and the overall brand experience.
PROCESS: Creating a budget, reaching out to local partners, creating an email drip and materials for social media marketing over the course of 6 weeks.
RESULT: Peaches + Cream Soirée
Hosted 25 women
Engaged local community and utilized other local businesses Board + YOU, Blossoming Brown Skin, Greenish Skin Care
Increased brand awareness
Day of event 1 booked client resulting in over 1k of boosted revenue. Went on to book 2 other clients from the event.
Barre3 + 3 Business Epiphanies
I’ve been taking Barre3 classes since April of this year. While my mind is constantly running rampant until it isn’t most days. Today’s class brought a special new lens that put in perspective so many gems. Barre3 is not only conditioning me physically, but also mentally and emotionally to withstand the rollercoaster of being a small business owner.
YOU NEED COMMUNITY
When I moved, Barre3 Frankfort in Louisville, KY was such a saving grace for me. To meet such friendly people who invited me to events, shared their favorite places and supported me in class with a “great job” was so good for my mental health.
You can not move the needle in your business without being around like- minded people. You want clients, podcast subscribers or to launch your next event, you have to put yourself out there and meet people! It is vital, no matter what your business is, to create relationships.
MODIFY, MODIFY, MODIFY
It doesn’t matter what your neighbor looks like in class. Just like it doesn’t matter what any other business LOOKS like. Because, baaabyyyeee!! The amount of debt some choose to take on or incur is not shown in their very pretty websites or professional business headshots. You have no idea the strain in their relationships it may be causing. You may not realize how small they may be, how unhappy they actually are or what help and advantages they’ve had along the way to get to where they are.
I’ve learned over time, It’s the smallest, sometimes undetectable changes that make an impact for your life and for building great glutes.
THE COOL DOWN IS NECESSARY
This is the part we want to skip out on, but truly provides the most delicious nuggets. Your heart rate is high, you’ve put in all this work and you're going to SKIP the best part?! Craziness. I get it. As someone who has been going, going, going for so long. It has taken me YEARS to learn to rest and I’m still learning how. This moment for stillness, this moment for breath is something that anchors me at the end of the class, but I’m really learning it anchors me in life.
When you forget the pause, there is very little room for gratitude. Whether that be for how much our bodies have supported us in movement, but also how much our nervous system supports us during hit, after hit, after hit in life.
I could go on and on about how sitting your ass down and being still is actually necessary to live a good life, but I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.
There’s also things like your breath is important, a cute outfit makes workouts more enjoyable and to check yourself in the mirror. If you’re a barre3 girly, what are some gems that come to mind for you? I'd like to hear in the comments!
If you’re ready to spend some one on one time sorting through all the hidden gems you’re missing in your own life check out my Creative Strategy Sessions for women ready to pivot or bring their passions to life.
And Now I Am Here
I have been putting off this update for a bit. As I was looking back on some of my older blogs, I realized I really needed to get my words out of my head and out to you. Most of you are not surprised at all that the time has come for another pivot. I love that you all have grown to know and root me on when these times come.
You have made my life so full! For those of you who have followed me from morphing my brand from The Beauty Room and to those who I’ve just recently met through Greenish- you have made so many of my dreams come true as corny as it sounds.
In 2012 when I graduated from TSPA for esthetics, I don’t think I had the closest idea of what this career had in store for me.
From being able to have an income to support my life, to traveling, to creating a magazine to hosting Tuesday Talks and everything in between. I have been able to flow through all of my wildest ideas and dreams, because you guys are so absolutely amazing.
Creating and holding space for each client has been a grounding force in my life. Through dating woes, moving cities, figuring out who I am in those 12 years- you have all given advice, hugs and held space for me as well. I am forever grateful for what was and what is to come.
Now for the part that you’re here for. I am not actually sure of what is to come. That sounds exciting, but I have never been more scared in my life. I girl bossed to close to the sun and it fucking burns.
I am heartbroken. In my personal life and in my business. I’ve always been an open book and now isn’t different. I just need more time to process. I also need the break that I urge you all to take when you enter the treatment room. Well, I actually need about 6 months of self- care days, my therapist to be on speed dial and have no other clients and to be dropped off on another planet.
Until that happens, I just wanted to let you know that I am so appreciative of your support and that I will, for now, be offering spa services one weekend a month and will update booked clients on the dates and location. I'll be at different pop ups in a few cities, offer at home parties and human design charts are always available online. Be sure to have your email updated in your client portal, because that is where I will be sending the most important information.
If you are going through a time in your life, I want to remind you and MYSELF that nothing is permanent. Which is truly so beautiful as it is terrifying. Let’s cry, laugh, not understand it and ground ourselves. Spring is coming and it is truly the season of releasing the old, and focusing on fertilizing what’s to come.
The Secret Sauce To Getting What You Want | Soloprenuer Support
Don’t be afraid of messy, non linear action. Don’t waste any more time not going after the things you want.
If you’re not on #manifesttok, it’s probably for the best. January can truly be a big ole vision board szn. While I love and have manifested a lot with the various boards I’ve made, I do think there is an element of embodiment + and action that need to be entwined with them to see the best results for seeing your life align with your vision.
I’ve had quite a bit of practice with this. With very little credentials in the beginning of my business, I was able to do sooooo many things through aligning my actions with the visions I had for myself. I wanted to be regarded as an expert, work for myself, travel internationally through work, create a skin care line- the list was extensive. I did all that and some hunnyyy!
The secret.
ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
I am the queen of the ask in my circle of friends and my favorite quote is “ a closed mouth don’t get fed”.
It mostly just takes being a little more bold. Here are the ways that I have found have a 87% rate of getting exactly what you want. I know you may be thinking “Kana, I don’t have a business, I don’t have followers” or things along those lines, but trust me this works for anyone.
This seems like a no brainer. You would be so surprised that not only do people feel scared to ask, but also think it’s “not their place”. When you think in this way you are preventing so many good things from happening from not asking. The collab you’re wanting to do, could open up the business you're asking to a whole new pool of clients. The job position you dreamt up might not be created yet, but is something that not only can change your life, but the trajectory hires in a new department.
My first magazine column came about because I merely ASKED. Ya boy got a ring on my finger…because he asked.
In all seriousness, sometimes you are sitting on an opportunity that could not just work for you, but also the person you're asking. Which brings us to the next point.
CREATE A WIN/WIN
In every situation that I have made the ask, I made sure that it had benefits for all parties involved. In this day and age I don’t see this done as much, but I always personally like to spend money at places I plan to partner with in the future. I think it extends some good juju. This obviously doesn’t work for every situation, but it leaves a good impression when you can.
The best way to create a win/win most of the time is to be really transparent about what your goals are. For example, when I wanted to write a column for a local magazine I wanted to reach an audience to show them a new side of the city. The aligned goal for them was diversifying their voices and ALSO reaching a new audience. A win/win.
BE OPEN TO A PIVOT
So what if you ask and what the other person wants to give isn’t exactly what you were expecting? A STEP towards something you want is still creating energy of movement forward. My first spa room on my own was essentially a closet, a window nook. At the time I was so proud of it and I still miss it to this day. Was it the space I dreamed of having? No. Did it eventually get me to my dream space? Absolutely.
Don’t be afraid of messy, non linear action. Don’t waste any more time not going after things
That you want. If you need some more personal guidance take a look at these SERVICES.
I would love to hear if you try this, comment below!
5 Ways To Deal With Business Heartbreak
I have personally gone through this with transitions with The Beauty Room, the end of Love IT! EVV Magazine and many other partnerships that I loved. When these things end, we are expected to just carry on like nothing happened. Something did. A partnership that you felt very invested in severed and now your competitor is in your spot, you had to close a business or your feelings were just very hurt. You may have got a big NO for something you were betting on to be a sure thing. All of these can be so heartbreaking, so I wanted to give you some things that may help. Here are five great ways to get through business heartbreak.
I have personally gone through this with transitions with The Beauty Room, the end of Love IT! EVV Magazine and many other partnerships that I loved. When these things end, we are expected to just carry on like nothing happened. Something did. A partnership that you felt very invested in severed and now your competitor is in your spot, you had to close a business or your feelings were just very hurt. You may have got a big NO for something you were betting on to be a sure thing. All of these can be so heartbreaking, so I wanted to give you some things that may help. Here are five great ways to get through business heartbreak.
BE SAD...OR WHATEVER.
Yo. It is completely okay to be all up in your misery, your anger, your heartbreak. It’s okay to feel your feelings. I repeat, IT IS OKAY TO FEEL YOUR FEELINGS. They are valid no matter the situation. You only create more pain and resistance when you try to stuff them down. There is a time for trying to get back in the groove of things and putting on a happy face. Right after a perceived failure or disappointment are just not it. Not addressing how you truly feel about the situation will only further complicate future business endeavors. What you resist, persists. So listen to Alanis Morissette, rip stuff up, have a bonfire whatever fits your mood at that moment.
PLAN A GETAWAY
Run away. Far away from your problems. An Island always sounds nice.
Well, I am only half way serious, because you may not have island money or a week to spare. While not a popular opinion, I do think it is healthy to take your body and all the things that could be triggering out of your life if only for a couple days. Really during your business heartbreak are the stages of grief. We pour our resources, our love, our life into our businesses. A mental break does not come often enough. Especially when it may be your sole income. So schedule a weekend or a couple days for sheer space to let your mind and body go to other places. This can be done to have more space to feel your feelings or a great time to do it is when you’re ready to get over that hump of self pity.
TAKE INVENTORY
Okay you have to take your woe is me outfit off ( I legit have a playlist, outfit, tea for when this happens) and look at the situation through a few different perspectives. When you do this you can take inventory of what happened in a less biased way. This step is VITAL especially for service givers. As an esthetician, I automatically jump to “do they hate me now”, if I see that they’ve gone somewhere else for a service.
I take myself out of the equation and ask; Was I even available? Was the competitor’s price more viable for the person? Do they have other people in their life that give these services? These types of questions vary for everyone. Not taking things so personally will save you a world of hurt. Honestly things aren’t all about us. It seems that way since our businesses are very personal to us. Even with our best clients and partnerships it is still a BUSINESS transaction. A lot of factors take place when doing business. We can't forget that even when we’ve created a relationship. If this is a shock to you, look at some of the people you love but don’t patronize a lot.
REVISIT YOUR WHY
Sometimes we’re thirsty. We’re dying to drink from whatever we think may give us life.
What we don’t realize in those times, is that it may not have even been what we truly want. When things don’t work out, God was probably working and literally “business blocked” you so that you stay on the right path. Alignment will not only create better flow for serendipitous moments in life and business, but also creates sustainability. My WHY felt like it’s been changing and the last year, but it hasn’t. What I was doing to get to it has been, but when I look at the bigger picture, I know that my choices revolve around providing women with spaces to BE, sharing knowledge & love on my journey in hopes that it will help others make whatever leap they’ve been yearning for. What is your WHY and are you making your choices with your why at the forefront?
PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK
Quite easily one of the hardest things when you are going thru this. Girl, take a minute though and really applaud yourself. You went for something. Whether it was a business, a partnership a job opportunity, YOU TRIED. Honestly that is 73% of the battle. What taking action does is gets you further than you were, even if it’s not the place you originally imagined. So look at you, all in a different place & stuff! Go have a drink and celebrate the space there is for new things to happen.
As always, if you’re ready to do some plotting and have some fun on the way to creating your next business venture, holla atcha girl! .