Starting a new project or business is terrifying. This project is something that I have wanted to do for awhile, and I have finally gathered the courage to start. I am so grateful for the positive feedback and enthusiasm Show Pony has received. My intention with this blog is to support and celebrate small business owners. When I started my business I knew absolutely nothing about the process. I literally failed math in high school and I have a BA in photography from a university that only requires a pulse to attend. I was not exactly positioned to succeed, let alone turn a profit.
My photography career began when I was working the graveyard shift at a television station. My salary was $2000 a month before taxes so getting a loan was not an option. I combined my week day job with freelance styling assignments during normal working hours, and there were days when I would start at 3:00 am and be on set until 10:00 pm. My weekends were spent photographing weddings, and I was able to save the money that I earned from events to purchase equipment and build a website. When I finally quit my other jobs I had a debt free and profitable business model. I have been able to prosper even though I entered my profession lacking resources and experience. However, I did have the essential attributes of a strong work ethic and genuinely supportive friends.
I truly believe that everyone needs the kind of friends who you can fail with. These are the friends who agree to be your test subjects with new camera equipment. These are the friends who show up at your parties early so there is a crowd there when everyone else arrives. These are the friends who “Like” your Facebook page when no one else has. In the case of Show Pony, these are the friends who gave me their valuable time posing for photographs and shared their stories for a project that did not yet exist. These are the friends who took a leap of faith with me.
