If there is one thing that I can attest will have a massive impact on the longevity and success of your business, it is your friendships. In today’s episode, I’m introducing the Connection Call – A chance to talk with the humans who are behind the scenes in my life and making a huge difference in my entrepreneurial experience. Today, I’m chatting with fellow photographer and incredible friend, Tara Dunn, all about putting yourself out there in order to form genuine connections within your industry, celebrating wins of all sizes through the lens of a photographer at heart. Sprinkled throughout stories and interviews with past clients, photographers and other business owners this podcast is designed to help you step into your purpose and to truly create a life you’re proud of, a life worth photographing and sharing.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by the FREE Book More Weddings guide. Learn how to easily capture behind the scenes video for organic referrals, local followers, and increased brand awareness. You want to make sure you have this before your next wedding! 

Review the Show Notes: 

Creating Friendships And Hosting Local Meet-Ups (3:53)

Making Genuine Friendships As An Adult (7:07)

Building Friendships Within Your Industry (8:56)

Pivoting In Your Business (11:22)

Putting Yourself Out There To Land Work You Love (13:58)

Making Clients Feel Confident In Front Of The Camera (20:15)

Raising Children And Running Businesses (23:28)

Showiteer Of The Year (27:06)

Tara’s Key Tip For Entrepreneurs (32:27)

Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect + Belong Arizona

Natalie Franke: Built to Belong 

Connect with Tara Dunn:

Website 

Instagram 

Review the Transcript:

As my business and life continues to bloom and flourish and grow, I can attest that, honestly, the like longevity. And the strong foundation of my business is rooted in the friendships and the connections that I have made. And I’m talking about the friends that I still have that I’m still connected with son’s elementary school, or my cousins and just like my longtime family, friends, hopefully up to new friends that I have met within the year, or even more recently, that I just feel that soul vibe connection with, and I can attest that like is that like, my business is the way it is simply because of these connections, these tribes these, these friendships and these connections.

As I’ve been going through my podcast and coming up with new, like the new direction of where I’m going, and what’s happening, I can talk forever and ever and ever about photography and photography, business and weddings. I really thought it would be fun to start introducing you to some of my favorite humans, the ones that are with me behind the scenes, that when I am having my meltdowns or I am, you know, just in a position where I’m like, I just need some help like this is like it takes a village right. So I started to create these connection calls with my favorites. And today for the first one I get to introduce you to I’m just so excited.

Her name is Tara Dunn and she is a photographer here in the valley here in Arizona. And I actually met her because she reached out to me through Instagram, I was hosting my affirmation. It was like the tu tu tu in 2022 This is last year we just celebrated our one year friend of her story. And it was like an affirmation brunch. And she reached out asking if she could please attend and help in any way like capturing behind the scenes capturing the photography of the vet.

She just wanted to meet me. And it just come to the event. And so it’s actually really funny because my mom had said, you know, maybe I know she’s your Instagram friend, but you probably should meet her in real life first, just to make sure she’s like, not a crazy person. Right? Okay. And so I’m like, No, Mom, it’s fine. It’s Tara. I know her. I’ve seen her online. I’ve seen her work. Like we have a lot of mutual friends. And she’s like, just maybe grab a coffee. And I am so thankful we did because within seconds, you could just tell like the conversation was really fluid.

We had a lot in common and it was just so easy, like, becoming terrorists friend is something that I feel like our soul is just connected on and then you know, we just like we just connected. And I hope I hope that you can put yourself in rooms to find best friends, cheerleaders, photographers, and just the best mamas out there like Tara. So let’s dive right into this conversation. I am so happy to introduce you to Tara Dunn.

Welcome to Quianna Marie weekly, a podcast for creatives who love to celebrate wins big or small by dancing in the kitchen photographers who are excited to serve their clients and friends who are ready to chase really, really big dreams. You can find all of the resources mentioned in this episode at QuiannaMarie.com/podcast.

Join me as I share weekly motivation, chat about growing pains, finding genuine connections and celebrating your wins through the lens of a photographer at heart. Come join me for a dance party. Ready loves though. Well, welcome to the party. Tara. I’m so so grateful you can be here.

Tara Dunn
Thank you so much for having me. I’m excited!

Quianna Marie
well, let’s dive right in. So one thing that I don’t know I just love about you so much is your ability to bring people together and to just be an incredible cheerleader for your friends and other small businesses. So one thing that I love that you do is you are offering these these meetups right so it’s through Connect belong AZ, tell us more about your heart behind creating these local meetups.

Tara Dunn
It was more so from some of my clients actually, that have either recently moved here or we’re looking for just adult friendships, which is sometimes hard to find and hard to put yourself out there. So a lot of people had just asked me, oh, how did you get into your community? What did you do? And I just decided to open up my home once a month and just have people come over and it’s not necessarily networking.

Obviously, you will talk a little bit about your business but more so just about what you want to find in other people and look for people that are good and have a nice heart and have the drive to want to connect with someone else because it takes effort to form friendships, especially when we are older and just settled in our lives. So I just invited everyone here and And we’ve been meeting ever since September last year and it’s been great.

Quianna Marie
It’s so fun. And I feel like that’s one thing that sets you in this community apart from other networking events or opportunities, where I feel like sometimes, and I know you and I can do this a lot, like just as natural entrepreneurs and hustlers that like, I don’t know, like, I always put myself in these rooms. And I’m always thinking, Okay, so who can I contact?

Who’s looking for a photo shoot, like, how can I help whoever I’m meeting, and I just want to share, like, if I can bottle up the feeling I have, like in your presence or in your home, it’s just that feeling of being loved and accepted. And feeling like, you know what, I’m just here to have some cheese. Like, I’m just here to, like, meet new people. And if we connect, we connect, if I make a new friend and grab coffee after or something and like, like, I just love that you’ve created this space,

Tara Dunn
I want it to feel like a big warm hug, like just come in and just enjoy your time here. And like you said, just connect if you connect, and if not, it’s okay, you can talk to someone else, or just be here to get that sense of belonging, I guess that’s what made me think of just connect and belong rather than a networking group or something that is like a BNI, or whatever it is, I just wanted it to be something that you felt comfortable to come to with no pressure at all. If you’d like to speak about your business, you’re more than welcome to so I’m glad that you feel that way.

Quianna Marie
But yes, it really is a big fat hug. And I just, I just love it. And you even will do like featured posts, which is great. Because I don’t know about you. But like anytime I leave an event, there’s always like two or three girls that I talked to that I really loved. But I’m like, I don’t even know how to find her. Like, what’s her name? You know? So you created an Instagram account for this. So if you’re tuning in, and you’re thinking, gosh, you know, if you’re local to Arizona, and you’d like to come hang out with us, you have to check out connect.belong.az To follow along. And hopefully we’ll see you at future events. That’s so awesome.

Tara Dunn
Yes. All are welcome. Bring a friend if you don’t feel comfortable coming on your own. The door is open. Yes.

Quianna Marie
Oh my gosh, well, and I know you tapped into this a little bit earlier talking about creating adult friendships. So I’d love to kind of navigate in to that next question. And I know for you and I, you know, as soon as we met, it was just like, you’re my instant soul sister. Like, I feel like I’ve known you my entire life. Like I don’t. But it’s so funny, though. Because at the same time, I feel like I just met your mom. And how did I not know that was your mom or like immediate adult friends is so weird, right? So what advice would you give to someone that is looking to make adult like adult friendships like genuine friendships,

Tara Dunn
I would say to just reach out, just take that fear and put it aside and just reach out to people. And that’s actually how I met you. I reached out to you over Instagram and just said, can I please come to your bed to shoot some behind the scenes for you. And obviously, we went to coffee first make sure we’re good people here. And then it continued from there.

So many friendships that I have made were because I reached out whether it was on Instagram or walked up to somebody, whether it’s out in the community or at the gym that I go to or at a photography event or other clients, just take that fear, set it aside and just say hello to someone because the worst they could do is be like, I’m sorry, I don’t have time for you. But majority of the time they will find a way to connect.

Quianna Marie
Yes. Well, and I love that too, because a lot of us are friends with other photographers, right? I think that’s so funny, because I’ve actually gone to a couple, like outside other events with you. And when people ask us like, oh, so what do you do? And we just stare at each other? Like, we literally have the same business. Like we are, I should say we’re offering a lot of the same packages or experiences. So how has that I don’t know if that’s shifted for you.

I know like in your heart you always been this way. But like what are some kind of like, industry blocks? Can we like chat about or like industry challenges that someone may have with making a friendship with someone who literally has an identical business to you? Like, how do we navigate that? Let’s talk about that.

Tara Dunn
For me. I feel like there’s this rather than a competition. That’s what I’m trying to get at just rather than a competition. It’s just more community driven. And Natalie Frank’s book, Delta belong, obviously I’ve read that actually twice. And that just resonated with me so much, because more than anything, I just want to encourage other people to continue doing what they’re doing. Even if it is the same thing that I’m doing. I feel like you and I especially can encourage each other and find ways to connect and also you don’t feel so alone.

So more than anything it creates a built in friend who knows exactly what you’re going through or exactly what struggle you’re dealing with. Or maybe they haven’t been through it yet. But they will and vice versa. So you can help just encourage each other, support each other and be there to lift each other up when things get hard because they do, and especially when you’re working on your own.

Quianna Marie
So, yes, no, I love that. And I do I just think it’s so funny to see other people’s faces, right? When they’re like, wait, what? Like, how are you so close? How are you genuine friends, when you’re literally trying to sell to the same clients? Right? Yeah, and I love that about you, too. I feel like, I mean, we’ve had some really, I would say, like deep conversations about relationships, about marriage, about me dating in this new like, dating pool. And of course, business too, I feel like we’ve both collectively actually raised our prices, right? Like, I would share my pricing structure to you and you’re like, Girl, ah, like, we need to like double that, right. And so I think that is a huge benefit to chatting with someone directly or an industry and creating that friendship, because there’s nothing better than talking to you and just being like, you get it.

Tara Dunn
That creates accountability, too, because we check in with each other and make sure that we’re following through with our goals and hopes and dreams that we really want to achieve.

Quianna Marie
That’s amazing. I love that. And one thing, too, I want to kind of like, go a little bit deeper on is you just mentioned how, you know, maybe someone is going through something, or maybe not yet, and we can lean on each other. So what are some of the pivot that you’ve experienced in either your business, or maybe I’d like to go a little bit backwards and chat about how you transitioned from being a school teacher to now being a professional like just full on photographer,

Tara Dunn
I feel like as a wife, as a mother, as a person, we have to pivot all the time. So I have pivoted several times. In college, I took film photography, and I loved it. And I wanted to do something with that. I just didn’t know what I could do with photography, I love teaching. So I did get my teaching degree taught fifth grade for eight years. And in the midst of that I started to take more photos, landscape, or whatever it was flowers in the garden, whatever it could be. And then I started taking pictures of my friends and it just evolved.

I’ve been a photographer for 10 years now in the midst of having two boys and moving a few times and navigating marriage, all of the things. And I think that I had to pivot with each season that comes. So when my boys were little, I was doing a lot less. But I also was doing weddings and I would be gone on weekends majority of the time, but it worked out because my husband was working during the week. So I could go on the weekends. And that was nice for me to have something that I was able to do as well, along with motherhood and being a wife.

Quianna Marie
I love that. And especially when you mentioned to like the seasons, right? I feel like and I struggle with this because I want to do all the things at the exact same time. But then I just create this like bottleneck of just, you know, this cluster of things that just nothing gets done, because I just want to do it all at once. So I love how you mentioned how as a photographer, or any entrepreneur, right? Like we can experience seasons, and we can kind of go full throttle on some things or kind of let off the gas on some things. And so I just think that you explained that beautifully. It

Tara Dunn
doesn’t always feel comfortable, actually ever, but the in between is always hard for me, that’s something I have to be conscious about. Even just breathing through like, inhale, exhale, okay, it will be alright, and I can move on. And this will look differently right now. But it won’t be like this forever.

Quianna Marie
That is such a beautiful reminder. And especially as a lot of us women, we are juggling 17 things at once. Right and simple. And that’s why I just I just look up to you in so many ways where you already have, you know, your marriage and children and like you’re doing it, you’re actually doing all the things. So you’re just so inspiring. You’re so kind. Thank you.

I want to talk more about your experience with your barre classes. So I know that working out getting your blood flowing. And having that me time for you is like really important in your schedule. And I see not only are you actively taking these bar classes, but you’re also popping up all over the area with their photography and their content. So how did you land that position? Like how can you share more about getting yourself seen and your work out there but also taking care of yourself? I just chat about that. Yeah, well, I

Tara Dunn
started there about almost five years ago. Now since the Chandler location opened. It’s called bar three. And I chatted with the owner once I started there and I just became a member. I was a member for about a year before I have the I guess confidence and just gumption to go up to her and just say hey, would you be interested in letting me take some photos for social media? Do content for your website for your newsletters, whatever it may be? And she said, absolutely. So again, one of those things where just put yourself out there, and you may get a yes, that’s meant for you.

I’ve been photographing their team their events for about four years now, almost. I love it and I’ve met so many clients and dear friends from this community. And it’s so much more than just going somewhere and working out your muscles, but also your mind, your body, you’re just the connection between all of that, and it’s a friendly face, you walk in, and everybody is there just smiling at you.

I went this morning at 6am. And one of my friends that I hadn’t seen in a while he just said, I missed your smile, it’s so good to see you. And that will put a smile on my face for the rest of the day. So it’s just a really great community of people and being able to actually capture not only the movement, but the relationships within that space are it’s huge. I love it. I really enjoy that.

Quianna Marie
That’s amazing. Oh my gosh, and what are some other connections? Because I love making these connections, like, Are there any other either photoshoots or events or things that you have booked, or the people that you have met through bar, like, let’s chat about that,

Tara Dunn
oh, I would say 80 ish percent, I don’t really know, I probably should write all of them down and see, but probably 80% of my clientele and relationships have come from bar in one way or another like I do monthly content for colair Beauty lounge and spa. And that was because they were at bar three for the event, doing a braid bar, just doing braids in the hair for the models for the fashion show that we were doing. And I talked with them. So many people, there’s like a plethora of people that I’ve met through that which is invaluable. It’s priceless to me.

Quianna Marie
That’s amazing. And I just like, you know, just like what I’m hearing, like, how can I recap is that you are putting yourself out there, you’re doing something for you. And I think this is what a lot of people, especially entrepreneurs in this small business space, is I think sometimes we can push so hard where like, Where can I go to this next networking event?

Where can I sign up for this next educational course or something? And you know, put myself in these rooms with all these millionaires like we have like all these visions, all these ideas. But I literally preach this and I love that like this is your life, Tara, like you put yourself first you tried a new exercise program, right? Like you tried bar. And you committed to it, you built a community there, you build tons of friendships there that lead to more work and like more opportunities. And that is so powerful, like so if anyone’s listening thinking I don’t have any clients, I feel stuck. I don’t know if I can take this next leap. Like, go work out?

Tara Dunn
Yes. More of a boutique studio, I guess I would call it. Well, maybe Andrea will correct me if I’m wrong. But seek fitness studio and the class sizes are a little bit smaller. But you can make those connections. You’re not walking into a huge gym where it’s a little intimidating. Yeah, are smaller connections there and people like minded or maybe they are an entrepreneur too. Or maybe they know somebody who is and people are just sharing my name without me having to walk in with a shirt that says I’m a photographer, do you need photos.

So it’s nice that I can just be who I am. And they see my name, whether it’s on social media or whatever it may be. And people just share that I appreciated that more than anything, the referrals and just any buddy just encouraging me to keep going and oh, you capture this. So well. All of that goes a really long way. So again, from putting myself out there to now it’s been a huge way to grow and just be able to connect myself with my community.

Quianna Marie
Yeah, I That’s amazing. Well, and I just wanted to kind of mention to, like, by you already been there, you’re already developing those friendships. So and I’m just picturing this, right. So like if I was going in there, and I had a completely separate business if I wasn’t a photographer, for example, and I met you and I became your friend. Like, I don’t even have to see your work to trust you. Right. Like I think that’s the beauty of going in first with the intention to find genuine friendships and to genuinely support each other and then when you find out oh, oh, so and so was a realtor. Oh, so and so does facials. I’m gonna go to Botox for this girl just because I know her right. And so I think there’s this invaluable value that you can put on people simply from those genuine real life connections and you’re doing that. Thank you so

Tara Dunn
much. And I’ve heard so many people say that when we have had a photoset Shouldn’t they say it feels like I’m just here with a friend, and you’ve made me feel comfortable, which I appreciate that so much, because that is my goal. I want you to feel good and at ease when you are in front of the camera, because that’s hard to.

Quianna Marie
Yes. Okay. Well, you just teed us up right into the next question. And that was like, boom, you were so nervous about doing this podcast, I’m like, Tara, you’re gonna be a pro. And here you are. Just like going to the next question. Um, so tell us like, how do you make your clients feel confident and look confident, because I know, you’re doing a lot of branding, you’re doing a lot of small business. And I should say, like entrepreneurship, because our, our dreams and our businesses are not small, like they’re a big deal. But how are you making people feel confident in their own skin,

Tara Dunn
I feel like the initial call and talk with me, I just have, like a dream call that I started out with. And that’s not even over zoom. It’s just a phone call. So it’s no pressure whatsoever. Just talking with you and hearing about your dreams and validating them, I feel like sets us up for a great session, no matter what, whether you’re doing a mini session, whether you’re doing two hours a whole day, whatever it may be, that you need for your business, or any entrepreneurial journey that you’re on. And once we actually start planning your photo session and getting everything out on paper and ideas, and whether it’s Pinterest inspiration, whatever it may be, I feel like the going along the process together and knowing that you have support has really helped shape my clients actual session into something that feels right and feels good, I encourage you to wear what you love, you don’t have to go out and buy all brand new things.

If you like something new, go for it, but be comfortable and be who you are. And the first thing I say to all of my clients is take a deep breath, we’re here we plan this, we’re doing this together, and I’m here to be with you and not just shooting at you. So and I love to just show a little bit of behind the camera so they can see Oh, I do look good. Or maybe I want to turn a little bit. Okay, let’s do that. So creating a process that is empowering, and not just intimidating.

Quianna Marie
That’s amazing. And it’s crazy, too, because you can see it in your photographs. Like you can see people and I love how you mentioned, like talking about their dreams, talking about, we know what they’re calling in, and just giving them that space, and that moment to truly shine. And that’s where that sparkle in that eye like happens, right?

Because I know and I hate to say it, but I do know of some photographers that are very talented, but they show up, they point and shoot, they collect their money, like it’s just very transactional. And I see you working with your clients. And it just feels like this magical experience, right? Like they, they can talk about their business. And a lot of times to a lot of entrepreneurs and we’re in the startup stage, like we just have ourselves and like our dog to talk to right like we you know, maybe we have a close friend or spouse that we can share these ideas with. But being able to openly share like, this is where it’s going.

These are my visions, and I don’t sound crazy with these big ideas. And you you really do create that warm hug effect, like everywhere you go. And so yeah, and your pictures reflect that. It’s just so beautiful. So much. Oh, of course. Oh my gosh. So what advice and you know, we’ve mentioned this before, how you do have children, you have to sweet little boys, but I just I think are adorable. And you and your husband both are full time entrepreneurs. And so what does that look like raising your two little munchkins and not losing it? But how does it

Tara Dunn
there’s some losing it moments around here. But um, I would say that overall, it’s a great experience. But it comes with a lot of challenges at times, especially having schedules where they’re a tad unpredictable. My husband Ryan owns his own business called the dead man. And he works on cars that have any kind of dent without paint damage. So it’s paintless dent repair and he is all over the valley.

They get called sometimes to come to your house. If you have a dent then they’ll make a stop there or dealerships around the Valley all the way up to North Phoenix and Scottsdale. So and I’m in the east valley. We’re all over the place, if I say oh, are you going to be home at five because I have a session at 530 Guaranteed? Probably not. Or if I have nothing going on, he’ll be home. So it’s just we have to navigate a lot of scheduling but I have babysitters and grandparents that are more than willing and helpful. So we just kind of have to navigate and take it day by day. But we love to involve The boys in some of that and just show them that we’re working hard. We’re earning money to live and different things we just recently moved about a year ago. And we finally put in a front yard and we showed the boys, this took a lot of hard work. And we could do piece by piece and just teaching them the means of a budget, there are only five and seven right now. So we’ll get there. The second they get $1 Bill, they want to go to the store.

We’re working on that as well, because I’m kind of the same way. My husband saver, I’m a spender for sure. So just navigating all of that, but as a family knowing that we have each other’s backs, and we can support one another, the best we can. Because in any realm of entrepreneurship, it comes with its challenges based on your actual field that you’re in. So he kind of works with his team and figuring out his stuff. But I also working on my own have my challenges there so we can relate to each other? For the most part.

Quianna Marie
Yeah, well, I love that. And I love how you guys have each other to lean on, right? Like, I feel like every business has a different season. So when you’re really busy when you’re maybe slowing down, like things are picking up and growing. But I just love that you guys have each other and that your boys get to witness that. Like they actually get to see like, hey, yes, like maybe we do this slowly. But we work really hard and it can be done. And I just think that you are just great parents, and I think your boys are just so happy. And yeah, I mean, I just I love that like realness that you bring, like when we go to coffee and stuff like we’re talking about things we’re talking about the good, the bad, the ugly, and, and it’s a safe space to just grow together. Like I just think that’s so amazing.

Tara Dunn
Absolutely. Because it’s definitely not easy. So and I’m not perfect over here, and none of us are but we’re just trying our best and trying to teach our voice to be good people, helpful people and support each other and our family together. So yes, so sweet.

Quianna Marie
Oh my goodness. So this last fall, you won #showiteer of the year. And I know you probably don’t like talking about this, and I’m sorry. But so every year show it which is our like website platform and this incredible community. They they’ve hosted the event united for years and then this last year used to be like primarily for photographers and then this last year, they opened it up and they called it spark and they welcomed designers like basically all entrepreneurs and small business owners, they wanted to really branch out and welcome more than just kind of like the stigma of only photographers. This year, you won this amazing award the show a tear of the year. And what exactly does that award mean to you, Tara? And how are you truly being a cheerleader for other businesses like I know this, but like let’s talk about

Tara Dunn
I feel almost like the things that I do are behind the scenes and creating connections or community or just being supportive to people that’s just in me, and I don’t need to be recognized for it. So what I was, I definitely slumped down in my seat. I’m like, Please don’t call my name. But they did. And I was so honored. But I would say that this just showed that what I’m able to do and able to bring to light is being recognized even when I don’t know it because I have volunteered for United when it was united for seven years in a row even through my children where they let me bring them strapped to me while I was still nursing and all of the above.

But they the company show it and Tottenham the lease, of course are fantastic and just so supportive and encouraging. Ijust loved to be a part of that and be around everybody. And when it was photographers and now just all creatives, it’s just open so many doors to get into those rooms with like minded people and just feel validated and feel comfortable moving forward and my job as a volunteer was just to literally hug people and usher them to rooms or and welcome them. And if I saw anybody alone to go up to them, and I was just so blessed and happy to be able to do that I was beyond grateful and I never needed anything for that.

So as they recognize me saying that I’ve done so much for the community and all of this I just thought to myself, I didn’t even really realize all of that until they were saying it and I just appreciate that so much and it touched my heart and forever will be a moment that I remember even though I did not really want to go on stage so, so much. I have my own work. are next to my computer actually, because it just reminds me to keep going even on those hard days where I feel like I’m doing nothing, or maybe there’s a lull in the inquiries. I know that I am making a difference, even if it’s just one person right now or one person at a time. So yes, thank you for cheering loudly and screaming and clapping and jumping up and down. And

Quianna Marie
you should I need to find the video because I’ve literally like literally clapping and like jumping, and let’s like, probably not the smoothest video, but I’m fully recording it. I love it. Yes, well, and I feel like that’s a total testament to you, where you genuinely are doing these things. You’re helping others you’re, you know, it’s not just on those spark or United conferences on these events that you are going out of your way to make people feel welcome and to hug them or to make them feel loved. Like, this is who you are to the core. And you know, and I just I want to challenge anyone that’s, you know, that’s listening now thinking, gosh, you know, it’s hard for me to put myself out there. It’s hard for me to do this.

I just want to remind you like, it really just takes a smile. It really just takes a sweet Hello, how are you? Like, you know, even sometimes just walk into a room and you can tell someone’s looking around, you’re like, the bathrooms over there, you just know these things, right? Sometimes just that initial like moment to say, hey, like, I’m watching you, I care for you. I’m here to help you really makes a difference. And you’re Yeah, and you’re just doing that every day. It’s just so fun.

Tara Dunn
You’re so sweet. And I’ve noticed one more thing, just listening, really just giving someone a few minutes to listen to whatever it is, if they’re having a bad day or a good day or whatever it is just listening and looking them in the eyes and just letting them know that they are seen heard and loved. And it makes all the difference there too.

Quianna Marie
Yes, oh my gosh, well, I’m just so grateful that we met and that we connected and now we’re stuck together for life. Forever, forever. I feel like, like the stars align for our souls to like reconnect this this lifetime, which I think is just the coolest feeling. And so in closing, I would love to ask and I love asking all of my guests, I haven’t done a like an actual interview in a while the podcast. So I’m just so grateful for you to kind of like break this little mold. But in the past, I love asking what is your best key tip for entrepreneurs like if something that you wish you would have known years ago, it could be a quote, a feeling a tip, which is any type of key tip that you’d like to share,

Tara Dunn
the first thing that came to mind was just put yourself out there. And that’s something that you taught me to do, although I’ve never gone live still, and I haven’t done it real with my life. Maybe we’ll get there. But I do put pictures up photos up of myself most of what you took earlier.

Just put yourself out there because people especially after COVID, after 2020 after all of these things that we’ve been through as a society as a culture, all of it, finding a connection, whether it’s through that screen or on Instagram, just knowing that we’re all human, and that there is a person behind that business, whatever that business is, or whatever that social media account is or even just somebody that you see that so quiet walking by the grocery store or at the gym, wherever you are. Just put yourself out there and be who you are, because there’s no one else like you. So you have taught me that more than anyone. So I appreciate that so much.

Quianna Marie
Oh my gosh, thank you and I love that advice too because I do I feel like people get we get stuck on our heads. And oftentimes too I mean we’re moving right like with this I feel like this like this generation is so transient right like we’re we’re leaving our hometowns, we’re buying homes and other states are leaving our families we are we in a lot of ways feeling like we’re starting from scratch in these new locations. And so yeah, just putting yourself out there doing things for you. Right like making like, you know, eating healthy going on. There’s walk signing up for really fun classes at the gym, like just get out there obey like I love that message.

Tara Dunn
Thank you for having me. I appreciate you so much.

Quianna Marie
Yes, thank you. So tell us about your like Instagram, like your website, like how can we find you? Because I know after this conversation, people are gonna be like, Okay, how do I find Tara? So how do we work with you? Like, what do you like, tell us about your,

Tara Dunn
okay, I have a website that you could go to Tara Dunn photography.com. And there you can sign up at your convenience or with your schedule to talk with me. I call that a dream call if that’s something that you’d like to do in working with me, but also if you just want to connect over social media or whatever it may be or just say hello or you You just need a little extra confidence and just want to call as a friend, I can do that too. Or if you’re local, I’d love to take you out for coffee. And my Instagram is just t done photography because Tara Dunn was taken. And I would love to connect with you in any way possible. So thank you so much.

Quianna Marie
Perfect. Oh my gosh, well, I can’t wait for our next coffee date. And our next adventure we’re going to be going on an adventure soon a little cabin getaway. So I’m just so grateful for you, Tara, and thank you for your friendship. And I’m just so so grateful that we connected!

Tara Dunn

Love you so much!

Quianna Marie
Love you have a great day. It makes my heart so happy to introduce you to Tara. And to just see like, I don’t know if you can feel the love and the compassion and honestly just being like the best cheerleader ever her. That is Tara. And I hope you go and find your Tara. So with these connection calls at the end of the call, as I kind of wrap up, I love to leave a little challenge for you. Okay, so I challenge you to go do something fun, okay, like get yourselves out of like out of this box.

Get it out of your house, if you are into like ever in sports. If you’re into some of the arts and crafts, like check out Instagram, check out your local farmers market. And just put yourself in those situations. That is something that you love to do, right? Like I don’t want to like make you go skydiving, if that just sounds like so terrifying. But I challenge you to put yourself in these situations where you are pushed a little bit outside of your comfort zone. But you’re also doing something you love, something you’re passionate about. And that is where you’re going to find your Tara.

Okay, so I cannot wait to connect more with future guests and all of my favorite humans. And yeah, if you have a Tara or if you have a friend that you would love to highlight, please please share this episode, tag them, let them know just how grateful you are for them to have them in your life. And yeah, I just hope you have a beautiful day and can’t wait to chat.

That’s a wrap on another episode of Quianna Marie Weekly. Thank you so much for your listenership and support. You can find the resources and show notes for this episode and more at QuiannaMarie.com/podcast. I’d be honored if you show your support by leaving a review and rating on your favorite podcast app. Until next time, keep on dancing!