***All images in this post are copyright Millie Holloman. ***

NEXT WEEK: Thanksgiving!  I'll be posting the NEW schedule through April 2010 of fantastic women you'll get to hear from on Women and Business.  Make sure to check in.

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as I do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

You have a very large studio with four associate photographers, a studio manager, and an image editor/album designer.  How do you do it all? 

It's a learning process! To think that just two years ago I was doing about 15 weddings a year and lots of family sessions on my own with a studio manager and now we have 4 photography teams doing 70+ weddings a year with 2-3 full time studio staff (depending on the time of year) still blows my mind. We grew fast so we just take it one step at a time getting through each day by trying to set systems in place that make our business scaleable. Having ShootQ helps so that we can all stay organized. Some of my photographers live in different cities so having a program like ShootQ is huge for lead management, booking, correspondence and more. I also could not do it all without an amazing team who puts their heart and soul into being the best at what we do!

You are very busy.  What do you do to make time at home with your family?

I have a 2.5 year old nephew and I really love getting to see him on the weekends. I try to keep my personal wedding booking down to about 15 weddings a year and hope to eventually get to only 5-10. This way I'll be able to spend more time with my family on the weekends. This past two years has taken a lot of my time and I know that this sacrifice of time now is going to reap huge rewards of being open to do whatever/whenever I want in the future. However, there are some things I do to set boundaries... I don't work on Sunday so that is a good day to be with my family and if I don't have a wedding on Saturday I don't schedule anything else either. I also try to stick to the office hours I have set so that my evenings are open for family and friends.

You constantly have new projects, workshops, and products that you are working on.  How do you decide what to work on next or right now?  How do you keep everything straight? 

My staff actually pick on me for this. My image editor recently stated in a blog post while I was out of town one week, 

                        "Millie isn't here to run around with too many things to do in one day, make me laugh out loud from the other room, dream too big, rush in from the latest grocery store trip and excitedly say "We're having a team lunch today!!!!", or come up with a brand-new, brilliant project to tackle in the midst of our other 2,372 projects we're currently tackling... "  

I often create new projects before one project is finished because I get so excited about it. I just try to go with the things that make the most sense for my business and drop the things that don't. Keeping a tight eye on my vision is key for this because it's easy to get distracted. 

I keep everything straight by making folders for everything (both physically and for my email program) and I try to keep the current workshops to a minimum because as you and I both know Davina, they take a LOT of work!

How do you keep things organized and running smoothly?  Do you have a system that works for you?

I do have a system that works for me and it's way too much to share in this interview. I am about as ADD as they come so I MUST have a system in place to get anything done. You'll get to find out this March when our "Get It Together" kit goes on sale at WPPI. Here we'll share out secrets of how we do it all and run the back end of the studio.

What are the three most important things you do as a business woman?

Keep scaleable systems in place and FOLLOW them! 

Put the right people in the right positions and maintain clear communication with my team

say NO, things don't always fit like a glove so I've had to learn to recognize when they don't and go with my gut.

What are the three most important things you do as a friend/daughter/sister?

Take time to be with those you love / quality time is HUGE!

Send fun little gifts/tokens to let other's know I am thinking of them and offer a nice surprise.

Verbalize your appreciation for others in your life often!

You have a nephew that you adore, what do you do to make time for him?  What’s your favorite thing to do with him?

I will drop by their house, call them up and say I need some "Gavin time" and he comes over to my parents a lot so I see him there as well, I also babysit him once in a while. Our last BIG outing was Chick-fil-A and a trip to the theater for a 3D showing of Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. My favorite thing to do with him is to take him places for new experiences. This year I took him to the circus for the first time and I learned just how hard it is to deal with a little one and try to take photos solo in a public place. I also love to just sit with him on the couch and read a book or when he pulls my arm for me to come play with him on the floor. He really warms my heart!

It seems like you travel quite a bit.  How does this fit into your extremely busy schedule locally?

The more I travel, the less I like it. Don't get me wrong I enjoy exploring new places and shooting in new cities but I also really LOVE to be home. The bigger my business gets, the harder it gets to manage from the road but because of my amazing staff I'm still able to do it. As far as my schedule locally, I try to make travel plans months in advance so that I can still book sessions, appointments and commercial shoots locally. Somehow it all just comes together!

How do you know that you need to take a break from business?  What do you do when you need a break?

When I need a break, I usually get really unmotivated, become blocked and get irritated easily. Some breaks are small like me coming in late, scheduling a massage, treating myself to lunch with a friend, etc. Other breaks need to be more extensive so I book a trip to visit a friend, take several days away from the studio or tackle a new creative project that pulls me away from my computer. 

What do you do to stay inspired?

I flip through a lot of magazines; try to find beauty in the small everyday things life has to offer and most of all I talk with all of my amazing friends. The people I have surrounded myself with bring me so much passion and vision and I always get fired up after a good phone call with them!

What made you decide to have have a large photography studio instead of a small boutique studio?

I was turning down a LOT of weddings because I was booked and I knew I had the potential to grow. I am an entrepreneur at heart and I love to dream and create so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. It's more like it chose me! But honestly, I love the hustle and bustle of a BIG studio and would not trade it for anything.

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

I'm proud of how far we have come. When I look back at MHP from the beginnings as me just out taking photos for friends and families I can't help but smile and thank God for his provision and guidance. It just feels good!

How do you post on your blog so often?  Do you have a system for quick blogging?

Yes! We do have a system! Our fastest thing we do for blogging is use a custom created action by Brent Holloman Design (www.brentholloman.com). This helps us resize the images for blogging in seconds and it's the best blogging investment I’ve ever made!

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

I don't. I often feel overwhelmed but I just keep making lists, delegating responsibilities and trusting my team to make things happen!

What three products or things help you stay organized

ShootQ 

Our Flow Boards in the office (which we'll share more about soon)

Our Flow Stand (something else you'll hear more about soon)

You give quite a few workshops that I imagine are largely attended by women.  After having the chance to see up close and personal the that struggles that women have in our industry,  I have two questions…

1.  What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?

Try to do it all. You can't be all things to all people. You just have to define what it is you want in life and try your best to stick to doing JUST that!

2.  What is something that you think women in the industry should do?

Take more time for themselves to pamper themselves and take a moment to inspire themselves by really dwelling on their accomplishments.

To see more of Millie's work: 

website

blog

***All images in this post are copyright Millie Holloman. ***