An Interview With Kenzie Rich Photography
Modern Day Wife had the opportunity to interview Kenzie Rich or Kenzie Rich Photography; follow along below for the close-up!
What inspired you to start your own business, and how has that initial inspiration evolved as your company has grown?
I've been behind a camera since I was a little kid. It had always been a side-gig or a way to make a little extra cash while I slaved away in the corporate world. About a year ago I was let go from a job that I hated. In that moment, I had two choices: continue down the path of following what society told me is a "real job", or go all in and pursue the life I dreamt about, but never thought I could have.
The term "starving artist" was something that kept me from believing that this life would be something I could achieve. Yet, through hard work and dedication, I am here. A full year later, not one bill has been left unpaid, and I'm traveling the world and meeting amazing people every day. I am beyond blessed and thankful every single day that I get to do this, and I'm always having a great time.
What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an entrepreneur, and how have you overcome them?
The comparison game is gnarly. There are a thousand amazing photographers out there, and it's SO easy to get caught up in feeling inferior to them. But realizing that everyone has their own artistic style and flair to their work, I think it's beautiful to express myself through my own work.
Can you share a pivotal moment or decision that significantly impacted the trajectory of your business?
Finding my confidence has been the biggest transformation in my career and, actually, my entire life. Over this last year, I’ve learned how to approach life in a patriarchal society and harness my own confidence in order to stand up for myself in the face of rampant misogyny. As a woman, it's extremely difficult to succeed in a life where we are set up to fail. I’ve been fighting for my place at the table since I was young, but today, I’ve built and set my own table. The only opinion about me that matters is mine. So I’ll love myself.
In today's rapidly changing market landscape, how do you stay innovative and adaptable to ensure your business remains competitive?
I will never ever be that old person that says “kids these days”. I take pride in being relevant and staying in the know of what's trending and what’s new. Also, I believe its incredibly important to keep a “student mindset”. Many of us get down when we face the difficulties of learning new skills or mastering old ones. We blame the rapidly evolving technology environment, or job competition, or lagging memories for our failings. But we don’t need to.
All we need to do is adopt a growth mindset and we can learn and grow throughout our lives.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are just starting their own journey?
Just start. Even if it's not perfect yet.
Surround yourself with people who are where you want to be.
Don’t compare your progress to anyone but your past self.
Stay updated on all things Kenzie Rich @kenzierichphotography on Instagram!
