What if pivoting leads your business to success? In today’s episode, I have the honor of introducing you to photographer, real estate investor, and business coach Mycah Bain. We are chatting all about Mycah’s experiences with business expansion, finding her team and affiliates, plus why she doesn’t believe that a niche is required for business success. 

On Quianna Marie Weekly, we’re chatting about business growing pains, finding genuine connections, and 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 Green House, my resource garden for photographers! Let me help you AMPLIFY your heart online and in real life to turn bridesmaids into future brides through templates, workshops, and freebies!

Review the Show Notes:

Why You Should Embrace Pivots (3:13)

Staying Grounded While In A Pivot (5:38)

Running A Successful Business Without Niching Down (8:51)

Scaling To A Team Of Ten (14:46)

Planting The Seeds To Be Hands-Off (21:52)

Finding Team Members (27:38)

Solo Entrepreneur to Business Leader (31:30)

Financial Growth From A Team (35:00)

Pursuing Another Passion Project (38:58)

Priorities For Profits (44:47)

Key Tip From Mycah (47:14)

Connect with Mycah:

Business Coaching for Creative Entrepreneurs and Photographers: mycahbain.com/edu

Instagram: instagram.com/mycahbainphoto

Website: mycahbain.com

Review the Transcript:

Quianna: If you’re an entrepreneur that hates doing the same thing every day over and over, Love’s Adventures creates memorable and intentional client experiences. I can’t wait to introduce you to today’s guest. As always, these conversations can be applied to your own business, challenge your thinking, and help your business thrive through every season of life and business.

I have the honor of bringing a photographer, real estate investor, business coach, and financial strategist to the table today, and I know you’re going to love this chat. Micah, the visionary and team leader behind Micah Bain Photography, specializes in weddings, families and newborns, seniors, boudoir photography, branding, headshots, and events, plus tons of education for photographers and business owners.

Together, we chat about how pivoting can actually be a blessing when it sometimes feels like a curse. Micah shares her own experiences with expansion and pivots while building a solid team of affiliate photographers and team members to amplify her mission. It’s very common in the photography industry to stick to one niche and honestly, an unpopular opinion that Micah and I both share is that we absolutely don’t.

Believe that you don’t have to stick to one niche to be successful and profitable. We chat about scaling, marketing, and expanding to educational offers. I’m so impressed with Micah’s business model and love how she’s constantly growing and challenging herself. It’s actually contagious. Now she’s building a real estate portfolio with two new Airbnbs under her belt.

Grab a favorite beverage and pull up a seat, bestie. This conversation is going to feel like we’re right in your living room, chatting and catching up. Let’s get this party started from Scottsdale to Minneapolis with a vibrant and warm hug. Please welcome Micah. Welcome to Kiana 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 kianamarie. com slash 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? Let’s go.

Hey, hey, hey, welcome to the party, Micah. I’m so, so grateful you can join us today. Hello. I’m so happy to be here. Yes. Well, you are literally this empire and empire builder and you are growing in so many different ways and being very intentional with the roots you’re creating and all the growth that you’re expanding.

And I just really want to share this elephant in the room here where I feel like a lot of us are experiencing these big pivots and these big changes. And so I feel like as a new friend and seeing your business just completely explode, I feel like you’ve gotten friendly with Pivots and you have absolutely pushed the envelope to try new things.

So once we get started here, I just want to get to these juicy questions. What is it about creating pivots that can actually be a blessing instead of a curse? And how can we embrace pivoting?

Mycah: I love that question. I think, I mean, all of life, like as people, we’re continuing to grow and change and expand.

So I feel like the, the goals and the visions and the dreams that I had early in my business, like, just are different because I’m a different person than I was 13 years ago when I started all things Transcribed You know, creative and I’m sure in another 13 years, I’ll be also a new version of me. So I feel like as we kind of just like grow and shift and our priorities and goals continue to grow and change with us, I feel like it’s a really beautiful thing to just like lean into that and kind of follow either the creative inspirations or, you know, a new idea or moving to a new place or changes in life that are like, Unexpected and devastating or even changes that are like, Oh my gosh, I never saw this coming.

This is so exciting. I feel like the more we can kind of like lean into it and sort of feel like, Oh, this is not how I plan my life. So things are going poorly. Like that’s. I’ll be honest, my life now is not at all what I would have ever imagined and basically anyway. And like, I love it so much. And I’m just like, so thankful.

Quianna: I love that so much. And I love that you’re already starting off this conversation with so much grace, right? I feel like in hindsight, you can have that kind of like retrospect and whatever that word is to like, see from like the rear view mirror that you have been open to change and you’ve been flexible with the outcome.

But I really do think for anyone that may be just getting started or maybe experiencing new pivot, That right there is the secret to success is that flexibility and, and embracing the unknown. Like it’s okay to change and it’s absolutely okay to grow. I love that. And it almost kind of reminds me of Taylor Swift, right?

I mean, she’s ever evolving, right? She’s ever growing and her audience is growing with her.

Mycah: Totally. Yeah. And when she has like a new creative idea, she’s leaning into it. She’s not like, Oh, I haven’t written this kind of album before. Let me switch it up. And I feel like same with creatives, whatever our businesses are.

I feel like it’s so important to like, to lean into those. You know, creative inspirations and ideas and just roll with it.

Quianna: Yes. Okay. So sometimes I really want to dig a little bit deeper into this. So sometimes pivoting can feel like a result of burnout, or maybe you’re in this position where you just want to literally burn your entire business down and start over.

So I would love if you could please share your advice for shifting through a pivot, but still staying grounded in your mission and maybe even still holding on to some of those services and offers that you provide.

Mycah: Something that has been really important for me in the different pivots that I’ve taken, whether they’ve been, you know, from hard unexpected things or just like new creative inspirations is just like taking time.

To kind of pause, which I will be honest is not my natural inkling at all. Like anyone who knows me knows that I’m like just going like a million miles, miles an hour. And I’m like, uh, what is that phrase? Ready? Fire aim kind of person. Like, I’m just like, once I have an idea, like I’m already there. Um, but I feel like the times when I’m actually able to like, Pause, slow down, like step back from my business, take time off, which I know is, is hard to even think about as, as a creative and as an entrepreneur, I feel like those have really given me the chances to kind of be like, okay, where do I want to go next?

And honestly, I feel like my best ideas come to me when I do actually slow down. Whether that’s like. I’ve done a lot of traveling this year so far in Latin America. Like I spent the whole month of February away and a couple more weeks recently. Or even just like this morning I went on a run and like, I was listening to, you know, something in my headphones for a little bit.

And then the last 10 minutes I was like, okay, I got to just chill. And even like 10 minutes of quiet, I was like, Oh, okay. Some things were just kind of like. Sorting themselves out. So yeah, I don’t know for me. That’s really important.

Quianna: Yes I love that so much and that’s a beautiful reminder for all of us, right whether you are a busy mom and entrepreneur Just getting into a new business it’s okay and actually encouraged to pause because I feel like sometimes we’re always in this hurry hurry hurry like you mentioned like what’s next and I’m a ball buster and I’m gonna make things happen And I’m noticing, and maybe you can relate too, but in this season of my life, I’m slowing down.

I feel like I’m in my soft business era. I love it. I do. I want to, I want to kind of slow things down and be a little bit more intentional with what I’m doing so things don’t feel forced. And just kind of like circling back to how we kicked off this conversation, that’s the beauty in embracing the unknown.

It’s like we can, we can go in with these ideas, we can go in with these plans, but sometimes when you are so stuck with that tunnel vision, you miss out on so many opportunities around you. Before we crack into, oh my gosh, so much stuff we’re gonna unveil today in this conversation, I do want to share a little bit of background on you, Micah, and I, I am so impressed with the fact that you offer tons of different ways to work with you, right?

I am so impressed. And as a photographer, I feel like speaking for the masses and speaking from the industry, That’s kind of like, I don’t even want to call it taboo, like that’s, that’s not the right word, but it’s kind of, it kind of is, right? Like, it’s, it’s so pushed to niche down and then niche down more and then niche down again to really, Be super clear in your offers.

And I am so impressed that you offer wedding photography and family portraits and branding. And even under branding, you’re offering headshots, product photography, team photos, right? Like the list goes on and on and you’re offering these beautiful female women portraits, which are I think like basically really badass boudoir photos, right?

Yeah, true. Yes. Like, so I just want to kind of start there with that photography. offer that you, you just, you offer it all. And I’m so impressed with that because like I said, the industry kind of steers you away from that. So I would love to kind of, kind of unpacked, like kind of unpack your thoughts on that and how you’re still continuing to run a successful business offering so many different milestone opportunities.

Mycah: No, I think that is so true. And like, Yeah, before I get into like why I do it, like, I think there is so much value to like picking one specific niche and rolling with it. So I think there’s a reason that that’s a really popular approach. And I think there is. a ton of value to it. Also, I think the reason that I love the variety that, that both I do, and then my team does is like, I just legitimately like love people and I love trying new things.

And I love just kind of like through creative energy. So, Like right now I’m spending most of my personal efforts on like the brand photos and those like bad ass like boudoir type photos that I call be lovely and free. So that’s kind of like most of where I’m putting my energy. And then my team is doing an incredible job with like the weddings, the families, the seniors.

Um, I’m doing some of those as well, but kind of slowly phasing. So those are going to be like mostly done by the team. And I think the, the reason. The reason that I do it that way is I just love photography and I just love people. And I think that’s the main thing. Like, and I don’t actually think that I could do like literally only one thing.

Because I think I wouldn’t, part of me feels like I would like lose that creative spark if it was like, okay, it’s the same thing. It’s the same thing. And like, I know that totally works for some people. And again, like, that’s why I feel like you should just kind of follow, not follow your heart because that sounds so cheesy, but yeah, I think that’s, I think that’s kind of like why I’ve.

Why do the things that I do? And I think also some of the reasons that I’ve made additional shifts over the last couple of years are just like a re kind of like re relaunching, rebuilding my whole life a few years ago. And then, um, also like now that I’m in my thirties, I’m like, okay, I loved, I’ve loved weddings.

I still legitimately truly love, love, love weddings. And I gave up a lot of. slash most of my weekends in my 20s, I’m not interested in doing that for all of my 30s. So I think that is just like one of the factual reasons. And even this last Saturday, you know, like we’re in the summer, I had the weekend off.

From weddings. And it was amazing. Like it was so great.

Quianna: Yes. I totally relate to that too. Like side story, commercial break. Cause my boyfriend, Mike, right. We’ve been together for a couple of years now and he’s never experienced the crazy wedding schedule, right? Like he came towards the end where I was kind of slowing down, booking weddings.

I’ve only been with him in photograph, maybe four or five weddings. So he doesn’t understand that schedule. And I will tell you, Micah, the last couple of weekends. We’ve had pool parties on a Saturday, right? Um, one day he came home, this was a couple months ago, he came home on a Friday after work and was like, we’re loading to the Suburban, we’re going camping.

And I’m like, okay, right? And that would never happen if that, if that was my life. And so I love that. And I love that you’re being very proactive about, hey, this is what worked. This is what I still continue to love, but what’s next? And then going back to just this variety. Okay, I feel like there’s so much power in creating those milestones for those family, like their repeat clients, right?

Do you notice that a lot with your clients where maybe they come in for weddings and then maybe they’re booking a brand shoot or they’re booking their next maternity session or family photos with you? How does that work?

Mycah: Yeah, I feel like I should track the actual numbers. Like it’s not. It’s not like as high a percentage of my annual clients as I maybe like would hope it would be just because I think there’s like a long lead time in between each milestone, but it is fun.

Cause now that I’ve been doing, for example, seniors in high school, I’ve been photographing them for like a long, long time. So now like they’re getting married, like they’re starting to have kids. So actually, um, my team is doing a wedding at the end of the month that like, I photographed her senior photos and like, You know, hopefully as things continue to grow, if she grows a family or wants like portraits of herself or like brand photos or whatever, that is just like super, super special to be able to like, I don’t know, it’s kind of these like annual connection moments with these different people.

Quianna: Yes. I love that so much. And before we move on, I just kind of want to like, kind of dig deeper into this. I feel like I have so many questions and I just want to clarify for anyone that really is nervous about. Offering different types of photography, I think sometimes we can get so close to our business that we feel like we’re offering these earth shattering new photo shoots, right?

Whether it be a high school senior or a brand shoot or a wedding shoot, engagement, allotment. I mean, you can see how it turns into so many different types of shoots. But I’m literally laughing at the end of the day, you’re a photographer, like, like, like anybody that comes to your site is going to see the type of images and the type of experience you’re delivering.

And oftentimes they can see that for themselves and say, Oh, yeah, I want to work with this person, right? I love that. Because that’s the thing, I think sometimes we’re so close to our business that it’s almost like, wait a second, you’re not a yoga instructor, you’re not a cake baker, and you’re also not a wedding photographer and a florist, like, those are too many slashes.

Mycah: Right, that’s too, yeah, that’s like a lot of different things, but I feel like to photograph a wedding and then also family photos, like, to me that does not feel like a huge leap, and, but at the same time, like, I know, like, tons of the photographers on my team do weddings, For like on the team and like only two of them do families because it is a very like it is photography and it is people but it is like a different skill set and like passion.

So like if you don’t. Like working with toddlers, you don’t have to, you know?

Quianna: Yes. Oh my gosh. Okay. Well, you’ve mentioned this a couple of times already, this conversation and mentioning your team. And I don’t want to just blow right past that. So I would love Micah for you to share exactly how you scaled to a team of 10.

What the heck can you lead us through that process and, and how it got started?

Mycah: So growing the team was not really kind of an intense process. It wasn’t originally an intentional decision. I guess I’ll back up for, for all of the years in my business, I’ve always had interns, which is super fun because I love, I love to teach.

I’ve always loved it. And just like provide opportunities for people who want to learn, because I feel like in the photography industry, there’s It is really hard to learn if you don’t have a hands on experience. Um, and I know for me, like I had early in my career, I had some different people who provided me awesome, like hands on opportunities to learn.

And that was totally transformative. So like, I want to give those same opportunities to other people. So I’ve always been, I’ve always had interns for like 13 years. And like, it’s so fun because they’re just around the world doing like such amazing things. And then like, I eventually, actually my first kind of like, I guess hire hire was, uh, in the middle of just like a total crisis.

I was getting divorced. Like I knew I needed to take a few months just like to myself, but I couldn’t, like, I didn’t feel like I could totally disappear from the internet, but I was like, I kind of need to though, because like, I just have to like, figure out my life and focus on like my healing. So I vividly remember like calling a friend.

From another friend’s basement crying and being like, I need help. Like, can I just give you my Instagram password? And can you just like do something? I have no plan, but like, I can’t go online right now. I can’t see anyone smiling and happy, which is like the exact opposite of me. So I was like, I know I need to take time away from this because I’m always here to like cheer people on.

So I knew anyway, so she was like, yep. Okay. She did it. Then like, once I was able to kind of like come back, restart, be like, okay, I need to rebuild a business here. Then I like slowly hired another person as like a part time like admin assistant. Then there was like a wedding that had like through a series of events.

I was like, they’d changed it, rescheduled it. And I was like, I had, I don’t think I can do it. So I called someone else and was like, could you shoot this wedding for me? Obviously like super clear communication with the couple. It went super well. So I was like, okay. All right, we’re interesting, interesting.

Let’s see. Um, and then just kind of like over a series of like small steps over, I think it was probably only like a year from that first wedding where again, it was like a super, super rescheduled COVID situation, which is why I had someone else shoot it from there. I like just started offering my, like the team to photograph weddings under.

You know, my business, my name. And like, I took care of everything on the front end and the back end, they would show up and take the photos, which like, let’s be honest for photographers. That’s kind of the whole point of why we got into it. So it’s like, it was great for them. Good for me. Cause I could still like get those bookings and do the, you know, do the side of things that I actually do really love doing and then, yeah, eventually I hired a full time assistant and I feel like that was like totally transformative because it was like, okay, now.

All of the little things are completely taken care of. And I feel like that just cleared up so much brain space for me. Like, I don’t even know how to like explain how freeing that was. So then I feel like over the last like year or maybe like 15 months since she’s been on the team full time, like I’ve just been able to like run with a new idea or be like, Oh my gosh, can we do this?

And then like two days later, it’s just done, which is, wild to me.

Quianna: Wow. My jaw is like so to the ground right now. I know

Mycah: it’s yeah, I’m obsessed with her. She knows that I basically tell her every day how amazing she is.

Quianna: Wow. Oh my gosh. So how, so when you mentioned the 15 months, what, what did that mean? Did that actually build up to your entire team or like, what did, what did that mean?

Mycah: Probably over. So like at the beginning of last year, I, Or like a year and a half ago, I was like, okay, I’m, I’m, I need to plan ahead because it’s like, you know, wedding seniors, all of that people are booking far in advance. So I did some like pretty intense, like interviewing, you know, chatting with people just to be like, okay, is this.

A what you want, like, is this beneficial for you as a photographer to like add some couple extra sessions? Like all of my photographers run their own businesses and are super talented and amazing, but they’re like, yeah, I’ll take a couple extra things. Like if it works for my schedule. So yeah, very, you know, very specific about who, who I work with both in like, obviously photo skills wise, but also personality, um, and just like problem solving ability and just like, Knowing how to like, vibe about situations.

’cause as, you know, like on a wedding day photo shoot stuff is gonna come up that there’s no way I can be like, oh, refer to the handbook. Like, no, no one thought about that situation ahead of time, you know, . Yeah. Um, yeah. So, yeah, that, that has been really fun. And I, yeah, I, I love all the women on my team and, uh, like.

You know, I’m here to support them. And they know that like, whatever are their personal and business goals. Like I want those to come first, you know what I mean? And then like, I want working with me to kind of feel like a supplement or like a cherry on top or like, Oh my gosh, fun. Like one of my photographers is going to Chicago for an engagement shoot next week.

Awesome. Like that’s perfect. You know, it’s going to be so fun.

Quianna: That’s incredible. And I love that you are such a small business cheerleader where you’re actually hoping and excited to see your photographers on your team succeed. And I feel, I feel like, unfortunately, that’s not always the taste. I feel like sometimes Photographers in this industry can, you know, bring on second shooters or bring on assistants or their associate team.

And they’re like, we’re going to take everything about you, right? Like, it’s like, it’s difficult sometimes. Like there can be a bad taste where you, it’s like you want to bring someone into your circle. You want to work with them and support them, but you also don’t really want them to fly off and do their own thing.

Because you want them on your, you want them on your schedule, right? So, so I just, I love that that’s not your approach. I love that your approach is, hey, this should be fun. This should be a cherry on top. I want you to enjoy this and when that is the ecosystem or like when that is the vibe with working with you and representing your brand, oh my gosh, they’re happy to be there, right?

Like they’re, they’re excited.

Mycah: Yeah, and like my first, my first person that I hired for that job wedding that I mentioned a couple of years ago, like she, like her business is like totally popping off. So she’s doing like very little for me this year. And like, I need to talk to her. I would be surprised if she continues to do more with me next year, but I’m like, okay, that’s kind of what I would roughly expect is someone to work with me for like a few years and then continue doing their own thing.

Or I have a few people, like I have a few couple of, a couple of people on my team who are like, we don’t like the business side. Like we, can you just. Do that. And we just want to shoot perfect. Like those people could be with me longer. You know what I mean? But like also people’s goals and visions and plans change.

You know what I mean? So I’m not like, you have to make fun of your commitment. And like, that’s ridiculous.

Quianna: I love that. Oh my gosh. Well, I would love to kind of tap in and ask some more questions about that. Basically that growth period once you started creating that communication with your clients. So like, how did that continue as you started to build your team where you were being really up front sharing?

Like, did you have a different pricing? Bracket for like you physically shooting it versus your associates. And when did those conversations really start to become part of it? Because I just remember, like, I couldn’t imagine if I was still shooting weddings. And then I just said, Oh yeah, by the way, I’m going to have someone else shoot it.

Like my brides that that would not work right because they were just so excited for that experience But how are you how are you planting those seeds so you can be a little more hands off? Like when does that start?

Mycah: Um, I think for me like clear communication is like top priority So like on my wedding’s website, it’s very clear like we’re a team team team team like all you’re gonna hear is about the team and like I’ve changed the language on like almost every single thing to be like we instead of me Uh, and then like yeah when people reach out and we like You know, reply with an email, like I send them different.

Well, I feel like I’m again, constantly pivoting and shifting. And so like my plan for next year is like, I’m pretty much not going to do any weddings myself. Like I will do if it’s like a close personal connection or an Epic location, but like a really cute, fun couple who reaches out about a really fun venue in Minneapolis.

That’s going to go to the team. So yeah, like when they, when they reach out, my, my assistant manages my email. So she knows basically to like automatically send them the team info. Okay. I’ll occasionally be like send team and mine. Um, my prices are like slightly different right now between me and the team.

I, I see the pros and cons of both. So I like, I’m always dabbling, like, should I change it? But mine are slightly higher at this point. But yeah, then like my goal is to get on a call with a couple and like, I’m extremely clear about like, dah, dah, dah, this is the process. I’m with you every step of the way ahead of time.

Okay. On your wedding day, this person will be here. And like my goal before the phone call is to like have talked with my team so I can know, okay, these three photographers are available. So then I can kind of get the vibe of the couple. Obviously I know my photographer is super well, so I can be like, Hey, based on what you’re talking about in your wedding day, here are the three options.

I would probably recommend this person for this reason or this person for this reason, like you can either like have me decide or you can decide. And then I also, um, have. Their team, their photographer photograph, their engagement photos. So like then they’re meeting face to face, they’re like having a fun connection.

Also, that gives me the chance, like so far I have a hundred, a hundred percent success rate, but like if there was some insane situation where like either the couple or the photographer was like, this is not a good fit on either side. Then like, that would give me so many months before the wedding to come up with a new plan.

Or in like the rare situation that people opt out of the engagement session or don’t add it on or something, then I’ll like set up a time for their photographer to chat with a couple on the phone or video or whatever, just to like meet face to face. So, so there is still that personal connection, but again, it’s awesome for my photographers because then they’re not dealing with like the emails, the texts, the like, wait, what’s this?

Or I don’t understand what’s happened. Like I’m the one slash my assistant is the one dealing with all of that and making sure that the couples feel like they have everything that they need. So then the photographers again can show up, take the photos, transfer me the files they’re done. Yeah. They can put all their energy into just like really serving the client.

Well, and not being like, Oh my gosh, like one more timeline question, which I’m like, I don’t care. Ask me any times about your timeline. Great. You know,

Quianna: I love that. And I feel like you’re right. There are so many photographers that that’s their dream. They just want to show up. They want to shoot. They want to have a great connection, have a really fun experience and then say, here’s the photos.

Mycah: Right. Well, and I feel like it’s kind of this funny. thing that we have in the photo industry where like we’re so obsessed with like they have to want us but it’s like think of all the other businesses or people you hire in your life for different things like i’m remodeling some houses right now and like i’m just had this huge electrical project so like i had my point person who he’s the one who’s answering my calls text emails you know with all my questions and updating me on everything I don’t think he came to the house at all.

But you know what? I don’t care. The job is getting done. When I was at the house, I knew the two, he told me these are the two people who are going to be here. I would check in with them. Do you need anything? Okay, great. If I had any big questions, I talk, you know, talk with the main point guy. Fine. Who, like, what do I need to be bad?

Like, I mean, obviously I know an electrician for your house is different than your wedding day photographer, but like, there is still that opportunity for like the personal connection. And I feel like what Like as long as you’re like communicating very clearly, which I am and then. Like the photographers are building that relationship between the engagement and the wedding day photos.

Like, do they really need to be there for like every single email and like how, how like intimate is an email exchange? You know, for the most part, I don’t know.

Quianna: Yes. No, I love that. And my favorite example of that is, so I’m super obsessed with Chip and Joanna Gaines and I’ve gone out to Waco literally three times.

It’s so fun. And I just remember thinking, I have these conversations with my coaching clients too, where I tell them like. It’s okay to release, right? Cause you don’t go to Magnolia expecting Joanna Gaines to bake you a cupcake, right? Like that’s just not how this works here, right? Like she’s developed this entire like little mini Disneyland for her brand and anybody that hands you any type of product or any type of plant or t shirt.

Or smoothie or whatever, a little food truck thing. Like you’re going to love it because it’s a part of that experience. And I love that too. It totally relates to your electrician as well.

Mycah: Yeah. Well, and like, that’s clear communication. Joanna’s not saying I’m going to meet you at the door, you know? I mean, that would, you know,

Quianna: Oh my gosh.

I would love a lavender cupcake from Joanna. Yeah. Okay. So when it comes to building your team, you What did you feel you leaned more towards? Were you more towards searching and kind of vetting people? Or at this point, were you having rapid growth that people were knocking on your door, AKA emailing you or in your DMS, trying to, trying to get into your circle?

Like, how did that kind of play out? That’s a good question. I feel like I should,

Mycah: I should like remember how I got connected with each person. Um, but, but again, like, I feel like my priority, my priorities in hiring people are people who are just like. Love clients are very like fun, positive, inclusive, like hype.

Like they’re just going to like provide an excellent opportunity. And like, they are creative on their own time. They are hopefully doing their own kind of like self development, but then also like, photography, like continued growth in photography. They’re like, our team is very like intentional about being inclusive across the board.

So like that is this extremely high value for anyone on my team. And, and also like I hire accordingly to that. Um, so like we have like LGBTQ plus folks on our team. We have people of color, like those are again, like very high priorities for me just as a person. So that’s going to bleed into the business.

So that’s going to bleed into like who I hire. Whether they’re like themselves, a part of these communities, allies, whatever that might look like, because like having a beautiful experience for my clients is my top priority. So like, I cannot risk someone. Being like, I mean, I think we’ve all worked with like wedding vendors who are going to like mumble about the couple under their breath.

And you’re like that to me, that is insane behavior. I’m like, you are here on their wedding day. They hired you specifically. Like, I don’t care if this thing went wrong. Like you are here to be on your a plus behavior, provide an A plus plus experience. And like. Just make it so special for this couple. If there’s something you want to say about it, like, call me the next day.

Like, of course, there are weird occasional situations. Like, yeah, call me and debrief me, but like, don’t say anything that day. Negative,

Quianna: you know?

Mycah: Like, it’s, there’s, that’s not time for it.

Quianna: Oh my gosh, and then even too in that Like, in those specific moments, you cannot have your team, right, like any type of negativity about that.

Because sometimes in those situations, these poor families may not agree with these things or there’s just, there’s just some tension. And so, oh my gosh, like they need to be putting out fires. They don’t need to be mumbling and making a scene or putting, making anybody feel uncomfortable. That is just so heartbreaking.

Mycah: Right. Right. And I feel like, yeah, just having, like, I feel like the vibes, like there’s not a way to any quantify that. But like, even a couple of years ago, I had an intern who was like assisting me on the wedding day. And like. The couple’s bus like didn’t have AC and it was like a million degrees. And for some reason that I’m driving now the couple to, from their ceremony to reception in my like, not at all fancy car and my interns with me.

And her and I are both pretty chatty, but like she off the bat, like just caught the vibe and was like, what kind of music do you want to turn down the music and was silent? And it was like, okay. Thank you for just reading the vibe. We’re going to do the music where they’re going to have a quiet car ride.

They’re going to, they’re upset about this thing because now everything is behind, that’s fine. Let them be frustrated for a few minutes and then we’re going to get them to the church and we’re going to move along. You know what I mean? So it was like, there’s no way I could have trained her in that situation, but she just had the vibe.

So like, that was like a seasonal intern. So that I feel like is a, A different level of intensity higher. Whereas like it’s a team photographer, but still like those values, those people skills are there and like, that’s who I want to work with. And now she knows like, she’s going down a different career path, which is amazing.

But like, we just chatted on the phone like a week or two ago. And like anyone who works with me knows that like I’m on their team. I want to support you. Like. For life, you know, it’s not, this is not like a, yeah, it’s work, but like, it’s more than that.

Quianna: Yes. It’s always so much deeper than that. Oh my gosh.

Well, okay. So as you are continuing to grow your team and expanding and offering all these different types of photo shoots. I would love to dig a little bit deeper, get into your mindset shifts. So Micah, can you please explain what type of mindset shifts did you have to overcome to go from that solo entrepreneur to that CEO and business leader?

Mycah: I think the hardest thing and the biggest thing that off the bat that I needed to get over was, or like move past was realizing that I’m not actually the best at everything in my business, which it’s like, Probably all of us know that, like, you know, if you were to, I mean, you’ve, I’m sure you probably experienced this with your coaching clients.

Like, do I legitimately think I am the best emailer? Do I think I am the best website updater? Do I think I am the best photographer? Like. No, I don’t like, I think, like, I want to be hiring people that are better than me, that are more talented, that like, those are their passions. Like I remember my first like five hour week assistant I hired, like, she like loved spreadsheets and I was like, Oh my gosh, thank you.

Because like, I love the big vision ideas. You know what I mean? So that was just like, so cool to be like, okay, you actually not only are good at this, but you love it. So I think just like really leaning into, like, I want to hire people who are. More talented than me. And also just like having the humility to know, like, I don’t think there’s a single thing in my business that I’m the best at besides literally just being me as a person.

And that’s the only thing.

Quianna: Yes. I love that. That is such good advice. And I even know that for myself too. When it comes to hiring and expanding, it’s scary because sometimes I think, well, I don’t know enough about this, so I’m nervous to hire somebody because I have to teach them what to do. And if they come into this hot mess express of how I’m hodgepodging things together and using different CRMs and all these things, I can’t even explain that to somebody.

So sometimes I just. Stay stuck, right? Yes, instead of high, like you said, instead of hiring someone that is smarter than you, or that may be better and, and doesn’t only know those tools and know those shortcuts, but enjoys it like what?

Mycah: Right? Well, okay, I’ll give you one example. Like I literally never have had a blog until last year, which whatever.

You know, I just didn’t. And so when I hired my assistant, I was like, okay, I think it’s time. I got to put more, I’m going to double down this SEO. Like I cannot be putting all my eggs in the Instagram basket. So SEO is going to be my next effort. So I literally, but I was like, I, there’s a reason I’ve never blogged.

I don’t want to, I’m not at all interested. And like, I think, I also think that we kind of need to move past this idea of like, Oh, I could do it. Yeah. I could do anything right now that I Wanted kind of, you know what I mean? I’m like, we can all like, we’re all talented. We can learn stuff. But like, I don’t want to, it doesn’t light me up.

That drains my energy. So I literally bought an online class on how to blog and SEO, gave it to my assistant and was like, please watch this, do what you need to do and start a blog.

Quianna: So

Mycah: she blogs, I still literally don’t know how to blog. I don’t even like, I think I probably have to log into it because it’s connected to my show at website.

But like outside of that, like. I don’t know what’s happening. I just tell her the vibe and the vision and she makes it happen. And like, that to me is like perfect. I don’t have to know how every single niche in my business works. the ins and outs of every single thing. Like, I want to know what’s happening.

I want to be aware. I want to be informed, but I don’t need to be an expert on every single thing.

Quianna: Oh my gosh. I love that so much. And I think that’s so important to continue with that growth mindset, right? Like that is so important. Otherwise, we’re going to just continue spinning our wheels and right.

Like what’s next for us? Oh, I love that so much. Yeah. I’m loving this so much. And I really want to go into the kind of nitty gritty here. You’re talking about expanding your business and growing and. What type of financial growth did this really elevate your business to once you started growing your team?

And what exactly were you doing with your time when, um, all of these associates were out shooting for you? Were you doubling down and shooting more or did that kind of open up more projects and more opportunities for you? What was that like?

Mycah: Yeah. Uh, okay. So I feel like a couple parts to it. the, the financial, like the, like the hiring side of things.

So I first started like with my, so my assistant’s the only person who is like on payroll, no matter what everyone else is a contractor. So I started with my assistant part time and then pretty much right away, I was like, we got to go full time. So that obviously increased my monthly expenses by a lot, but you know, I calculated and you know, okay, if I booked this many more things, then this kind of pays for it.

Okay. So it does pay for it. Let’s go from there. Then as far as having the team out there shooting. That is something I took pretty slow for the first like two years, I would say, just because especially a senior or a family, like worst, worst case scenario, I could reshoot it. I would feel like I would look pretty dumb and I would hate to do it.

And I have never had to do it and hope I never do have to do it. But like a wedding is. So stressful. Like, to be honest, it’s so stressful to have someone else do for you. So that was definitely much slower. So it’s not like I was all of a sudden like, no, I have a hundred wedding. Like it’s not, it was like up till now, it’s pretty much just been shifting the amount of weddings that I was doing myself to the team, I think now that I feel super solid and like very.

Like, like, I mean, if, if I were to get married, like I would hire anyone on my team to shoot my wedding, like that, that is how confident I am about them, both personality and. Uh, photo wise. So like they are so talented. Then I feel like now that I have like the basis that I’ve built over the last couple years, I feel like now I can really like ramp up the number of weddings that I, that our team is taking on, which I’m like actively working on.

But you know, after doing like a certain number of weddings, so many years, It’s it’s kind of hard to be like no I want two or four times as many like that’s not really how quite how it works or if it does it does work like that someone please tell me how

but uh yeah so I don’t feel like it was like oh my gosh I all of a sudden had like a million extra hours but I feel like then I was able to like Lean harder into like the brand photos and the empowerment photos, like really expand the education side of my business, like have more intentional time to travel.

And then I’ve like been building another business outside of photo over the last year as well. So I feel like it’s just given me time and like mind space to just, to like lean into other parts of the business instead of like, here we go again, it’s another Saturday, another wedding. You know what I mean?

Not that I ever like really felt like that, but you know how it is like time wise that just like takes so many hours.

Quianna: I love that so much. And I love how you are sharing the realities of it. Like, you’re not going to just build this team and then all of a sudden 10x everything, right? Like 10x the number of weddings, the number of families, number of mini sessions, whatever you have going on.

Like this is gradual and it takes time. And I think that’s the best way to build a business on a solid foundation. So that’s incredible.

Mycah: Yeah. And I still like, then I still have the time for like the personal touch. Like, I mean, I try to keep most of my communications through email, but like my clients.

Have access to my phone number. And for some people that’s just better. So like I had a mom of a senior call me this morning when I was like making pancakes, like I’m going to take that call. I’m going to sort it out with her. Like, she’s going to feel good. Like I could be like, please refer to my email.

Like, no, let’s just like serve our clients. Well, make sure, you know, her and her daughter are going to have an amazing experience. That is like the top priority, you know, so

Quianna: yes, well, and I love that you are so multi passionate like many of us that are listening and I feel like we’re just kind of all having this conversation over coffee this morning.

And I, you know, and I love that it’s not just about the clients. It’s not just about the people that are in front of your camera or even building those relationships with your team members and growing all that too. But I also want to talk about the ones that are booking your baddie stay Airbnbs. So can we kind of like, I would just love to kind of wrap up the conversation and share that it is absolutely possible to be multi passionate, to build a solid business, keep that running, and then still pursue other projects and opportunities.

So what’s going on with these Airbnbs? I would love to hear about this new fun project.

Mycah: Yeah, so I. Basically, one of my siblings was living with me for a couple years and then they moved out last fall and then I was kind of like, okay, I have this space that I don’t really need. What should I do with this?

So my, the, my first Airbnb is, uh, the lower level of my house. It’s a separate entrance. We don’t ever see each other face to face, like just the way we all want it. But I basically like, I had, well, I had already turned one of the rooms in my basement into a speakeasy, which is. So fun, like literally behind a hidden bookshelf that one of my sisters built, like it’s So then I, like, expanded the ba expanded the lower level and just made it, like, really, really fun, funky, feminine, the speakeasy is a part of this day, and was like, let’s just see how it goes, like, either way, I wanted to, like, decorate it way more fun, and I was like, if I hate it, I don’t have to do it, but if I love it, We’ll lean into it.

And it’s been super fun so far. Like hospitality has always been one of, and like interior design and decor and just like making spaces beautiful has always been like a passion and a skill of mine. So it just felt like I was leaning into it. And, um, I’ve also been for a long time, like looking to invest in real estate.

So anyway, this year I was like, okay, I’m going to. I started that, that, uh, short term rental. It’s been going super well. And I was like, I’m going to lean further. So I just purchased two homes a couple of weeks ago and I am renovating both of them at the same time, which is a very crazy, uh, but it was my plan.

And now I’m like, that was a very bizarre decision to make, but here I am. So, yeah, that has been taking basically like, Almost all of my energy. But again, like the fact that I had my, my business set up, like my assistant is pretty much like running the show. Like I’m, I’m like doing client calls. Like I’m popping in and being like sending her voice memos and be like, please do this, please do that.

Da da da. Let me have a question. Set it up. But like, I’m able to spend, like I spent this whole morning, like setting up all my new bills on autopay. Like after this, I’m going to go do a ton of projects around the house. And like one, one of the units is almost ready to go. The other one will be a few more weeks.

Slash a month still, but like, it’s just been so fun to, to do something new, try something different, like lean into like a new creative passion. Um, and then also have like the years of business experience and the years of like a solid financial experience to be able to like, pursue these things. pursue these next dreams.

So yeah, it’s been, but also anyone who ever says it’s passive is lying to your face. So I will just say that

Quianna: this is work. And I love it. I didn’t want to interrupt you, but I’m literally over here cheering like, Holy smoke. Seriously, Micah, this is incredible. Like congratulations. And I feel like we’ve seen a moment to pause here and like literally clap for you because I feel like as photographers and I know all of our experiences are different, but I feel like we’re always just kind of thrown to this like starving artist category and like we’re just kind of like on the struggle bus and oh, you know, like it can, it can be this kind of uphill battle that we are just completely changing the norm on this.

Like, no, excuse me. We have a passion. We can create some profits. We can make a bigger impact. The more money we have, the more generous we can be and the more options and choices and freedom we have. So. Oh my gosh, I am so freaking proud of you. This is incredible.

Mycah: Thank you. Yeah. And I think what you said is so true.

Like that when we, when we are like more successful people in business and women in business, then we do have more options to, to try new things, to be generous with others, whether that’s people in your life or like donating to nonprofits you’re passionate about. Like, I feel like eventually like for a while, it’s fun to like, you know, try to like, and make this money.

But like, eventually it’s kind of like, what’s the point of this? So I feel like unless you have a bigger purpose, and like, for me, like generosity is A huge priority, uh, for me, both like time and financially, and then along with that, like, just wanting to have opportunities for freedom and creativity, both now and also in my future.

And I feel like if I learned anything is like, I don’t know what the future is going to hold, but I do know that like, I have some like hopes and dreams for the future and I want to set up my life. So if those opportunities arise, I can lean into it and I’m not just like strapped by my business and, you know, just like a.

Like, I don’t want to be like a slave to my own business. That makes no sense. So I think like, I want to build a business that like works for me in my life, but also every single person on my team. And like, that is a huge priority as well. Like, I don’t want this life to be fun for me. If like anyone on my team is like, I hate this, you know?

And like, they all know that. And like, I am very clear on communicating. Like, okay. Like, I need you to like, take a deep breath. I needed to take time off. I needed to drink some water. Like I needed to take care of yourself. Like. You know, it’s, it’s so important.

Quianna: Yes. Oh my gosh. Well, I feel like this next question could legit be an entirely new episode.

So we don’t have to unpack all of it. Um, cause I want to be very, very respectful of your time, but I feel like there’s this thread. Throughout our entire conversation about finances and money, right? I feel like none of this would be possible unless you were prioritizing profits and you were being really intentional with your finances.

And I feel like I don’t even want to call it a hidden gem because if you go to your website, if you go to any of your educational offerings, you share a lot about money and a lot about the education about your cash and your investments. So. I guess my question is, if someone is really ready to expand, maybe business has been going well and whether they’re at that six figure mark or whatever, I don’t know why it’s cool to say a six figure photographer, but it’s, it’s cool, right?

To say that. So no matter, like no matter where we are in our income, what should we be prioritizing as business owners when it comes to profits?

Mycah: I feel like a lot of it kind of depends person to person, depending on like who you are, what are your financial needs, your priorities? Like are there other people?

Like in your family, do you have kids? Do you have a partner? Do you have another job? Like there’s so many, there’s so many factors at play. So I don’t feel like I can give like a pat answer, but I feel like it’s a mixture of just being like super and super aware and intentional about like both what you’re making and then also what you’re spending both business and personally.

Cause I feel like it’s very easy to just like. Spend money and not know where it goes. Like, I think we’ve all been there where you’re like looking at your credit card statement and you’re like, that makes no sense. So I think just being very, very aware, and then also knowing like when our payments coming up, when are, depending where you live, like there are busier seasons, there are slower seasons, depending on what your industry is.

So I think just like being very smart and aware of that is kind of the first step, cause like I’ve had friends who’ve built like massive successful businesses and then. You know, still maybe are struggling with the bills or I have friends who like, honestly, their dollar amounts that they’re bringing in for other people would maybe like not be impressive, but like, they are able to do amazing things for their life and for their families because of what they’re doing with their craft.

So I feel like it’s less about the dollar amount and more about just being aware of like, what are your short term and long term goals? And like, what are the steps? that you’re going to take to get there.

Quianna: I love that. And it’s so important as a reminder for any business, not just photographers, right, is looking at those numbers, truly understanding what’s coming in, what’s coming out.

And I mean, the reality is, is everything is getting more expensive, right? Everything, everything is like literally just to survive. And I just saw another post today where it was like, why does every day cost 250? Like every day, right? And it used to just be a hundred bucks. You couldn’t leave the house without spending a hundred dollars.

And now it’s like three times that it feels like. Yeah. And, um, so I think that’s important to constantly revisit your pricing, revisit exactly what you’re offering. And so I love that. And I love that you are such a resource for all those tips as well. So one question I love to ask every single guest that comes on.

What is your key tip, Micah? What is one thing that you wish you knew sooner or something you’d like to share with other entrepreneurs?

Mycah: The first thing that comes to mind is that You like, don’t do it alone. Like it’s, it’s so much better getting other people involved, like asking for advice, like, you know, asking, yeah.

Asking for advice. There’s so many amazing resources, like your podcast. Like there’s so many like podcasts, online resources, people that you know, like if you don’t know people get out there and meet people, but don’t just meet them to like, get stuff from them. Like. Also be there to serve, uh, yeah, ask, like ask for help, hire people, hire experts, hire business coaches, like do, do things that push you out of your comfort zone and, and just realize that you don’t have to, and honestly should not do it by yourself.

Quianna: I love that so much. And you’re right. It’s, it’s putting yourself in the room, it’s showing up for places, it’s investing. And, and it’s kind of like give and take, right? So you’re not just, Oh, what can I get out of this? It’s how can I help others? And, um, I love that advice. I don’t think anybody’s mentioned that yet so far.

I love that one. How can we connect with you, Micah? What is the best way to stay in touch and to be your new BFF?

Mycah: Yeah, yeah. Well, I’m on Instagram, Micah Bain photo. I have a couple other accounts, but that’s kind of my main one. And, um, I have like my website, it’s MicahBain. com. There’s an education tab there, and I have a bunch of really fun free resources there, including, um, Um, like a money interactive spreadsheet.

Don’t let that stress you out. It’s meant to be set up and make it really easy for you because like, I promise you can understand your money. Like. Don’t let people tell you that it’s too complicated. It’s like, it, it is literally a matter of knowing how much are you making and how much are you spending?

And that’s the first step. And so, yeah, we’ve put together this awesome spreadsheet for you. So that’s just MicahBain. com slash money.

Quianna: Incredible. Thank you so much for sharing that gift and you all need to go grab that. Like for sure. Make sure to stalk Micah and you have a handful of Instagrams too. I’ll make sure to add those to the show notes so people can truly stalk you and learn more about you and your team.

And I’m just so grateful for you. Thank you. Thank you so much for this conversation. Thank you for your time. This was so fun. Yes. Hope you have a good day. Holy smokes. That was a juicy one. And I’m so grateful you could join us today. I’m convinced that my business survived the pandemic, helped me expand out of state, pay off my car and helps me live my everyday life simply because I didn’t stick to just one type of photography.

As your business big sister, I hope you try new things, expand your offers, and don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Make sure to follow along with Micah at M Y C A H B A I N. com or stalk her many social media pages at MicahBainPhoto on Instagram. Careful though, Micah has a super So many gorgeous photos, intentional posts, and a handful of pages like her wedding seniors and beloved and free boudoir page, plus her Airbnb adventures at the baddie stay.

On the gram too. She’s all over the place and I love it. Micah is busy, but super intentional with her time and business strategies. She’s truly an inspiration for our industry. We’re both so grateful to be in your ear today and wish you only the best as you continue to pursue your wildest and most vibrant dreams.

Take a peek at the show notes to snag some goodies, freebies, and all of the links mentioned. You are multi passionate. Creative and worthy of success. My love step out of that box and try something new. Our world needs you and your magic. Keep on dancing, baby. I cannot wait to chat with you next week to introduce you to a workflow and automations expert.

Sandra is incredible and I cannot wait to introduce you. And I’ve been loving these guests lately. I am so grateful for these meaningful and impactful conversations. And just so happy that you’re here along for the ride. Hope you have a fabulous week. Okay. Can’t wait to connect soon. Love you. Bye. 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’d show your support by leaving a review and rating on your favorite podcast app until next time, keep on dancing.