Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Bacle.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Andrea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After college, I commissioned into the Air Force and worked with A-10s, taught English at the US Air Force Academy Prep School, and served as the Air Force Detachment Commander at the Defense Information School (where the Department of Defense teaches videography, combat photography, and journalism).
While on active duty, I started my first business: Andrea’s Cakes by Design. This was my first side hustle, and I treated it as my “practice” business. I knew one day we’d have kids and I’d want to stay home with them, but I know my personality, and I knew I’d have to figure out how to work and be a stay-at-home momma at the same time.
After active duty, I went to grad school and then taught high school for a year. And finally, the babies came. After my first kiddo tried to kill me by crying for a year non-stop, I was pregnant with #2 and ready to start my next business: Andrea Bacle Photography.
After seven very successful years of being a traveling portrait and event photographer (and counting), I launched the coaching part of my business: Shoot with Passion™. I am so passionate about helping women (especially mommas) figure out how to start small businesses–or fix their businesses. I help my clients get their businesses off the ground: customer service, taxes, how to make a profit, and everything else in between.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth? For the most part, yes. But, I look at every new day as an opportunity to learn and get better and do better. I learn a new business lesson practically every day. It all boils down to customer service. Who are your customers and how do you serve them best?
If I think of specific examples of struggles, I’d say the root of those problems have always been communication. Usually, I’ve failed to properly inform my clients (and re-inform–sometimes they need gentle reminders!) on expectations.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Andrea Bacle Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
Years ago, I was in the middle of the crazy holiday sessions season, and it was awful. I think I had a run of about 10 sessions in a row where someone cried: the baby, the mom, the fighting siblings, the dog, me… I blame the stress of “perfection” everyone seems to be chasing.
Then my next session was on the beach (my happy place), and I thought: What in the world am I doing? This is where I want to be. Right on that beach, I decided to switch my entire business model, came up with a plan, and I’ve been living the dream ever since.
What sets me apart from others is that I’m always trying to do figure out what everyone else ISN’T doing. I’m not trendy. I don’t follow what’s popular. I don’t live and die by social media. I’m a pretty boring, little old lady inside of a medium-old lady’s body, and I’m just fine with that.
For example, for nearly 7 years, I’ve had this little icon on my Facebook business page that says, “Congratulations! You’re almost at 500 followers!” It makes me laugh, because I will probably NEVER have more than 500 followers on my Facebook page, and I have all the business I can handle.
I am most proud of the fact that I’ve helped so many women figure out how to earn a living by doing what they love. What’s better than having the dream job?!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Cliche or cheesy or whatever you want to call it, I truly feel like the luckiest woman on the planet. Of course, I have bad moments like everyone else: my kids make me occasionally crazy, there is always house cleaning to be done, and sometimes I’ll even have a terrible sale, but at least once a day, I think, “Goodnight. How in the world did I get so lucky?”
My secret to finding luck everywhere is saying “yes” to every cool opportunity that comes up–in business and in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andreabaclephotography.com/shoot-with-passion-tm/
- Phone: 5087685808
- Email: andrea.bacle@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootwithpassion/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndreaBaclePhotography/
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