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NEXT WEEK: Kate Benson

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How long have you been in business? What was the process you went through to get things running smoothly?

I started Blue Lily 2 years ago. When I started I never planned to go full force- just sort of happened, and it happened fast. I started very small and focused on each individual customer and our relationship, which helped things run real smoothly. I absolutely wasn't worried about things to come... I was focused solely on the NOW and stayed very, very simple.

How many children do you have and what are their ages?

I have two kids, Isaac age 4, and Isabelle, almost 3. They are adorable in every way (except when they fight. Not adorable at all!)

What do you think are the most important things you do as a mom every day?

Saying "I love you" a lot is hands down the most important thing. I also think it's really important for me to get down on the ground at be at my kid's eye level. They also think it's pretty special to be picked up and placed up high so they are at my eye level. I'm not sure if other kids respond to this as well as mine, but my little ones just love to feel like I'm in their world. So no matter what we are doing, I try to be at eye level with them for the best communication. We love to read on the floor together, cook with them on the counter, or do play-doh at the table together.

What do you think are the top three things you must do as a business woman every day?

Number 1, be confident. Without confidence I'd have trouble coming up with new ideas and creativity.

Two, put the client first and treat them like you would your friends. They always end up being good friends in the end anyway! My husband always said, before I started this business, that the "Client is always right". He's a smart guy.

And three, I think it's important that I take time away from the business. Seems contradictory, but if my life was all business I wouldn't enjoy it anymore. By taking time off, it's a treat to go back and get busy.

What three products or things help you stay organized?

Google Calender is amazing. I can access it anywhere!

My iphone is a tremendous help to me too. It serves as a phone, internet, email, and SECURITY BLANKIE. I can't be without this thing for more than 30 minutes without panicking :)

Gmail. I know I've named three electronic things, but I'd be a major flunkie without electronics. I prefer to do business over email in case I forget a detail about a session- do a quick search and my memory is jogged!

You are traveling a lot this year. You have photo sessions scheduled across the country. How did you market this and create such demand for your work in so many different locations? Also, how does this schedule work into your family life? How do your children feel about you traveling so much and what do you do to connect with them while you are on the road? (Sorry for the barrage of questions on this! J I’m in awe at how you’ve set this up and how you execute it while being a mom. I’m intrigued by this schedule!)

The traveling sessions are quite interesting. I am even amazed at how it seems to just work out. I first started to travel because my wonderful clients always linked to me on their blogs, which first brought me to Utah, and then the Utah clients blogged about their sessions, which in turn brought me to Arizona and even across the country. Now the emails and requests come from all over the country and even other countries (which I'm hoping to get started on soon). So, I never really marketed it until it was already going strong. Now I've discovered how much I love to travel and meet new clients and I don't plan on stopping! The traveling works really well. My husband stays home with the kids unless the destination is close enough to drive- then we all pack into the car and go together. I have to say- I don't think my little kids even notice too much when I'm gone. Their daddy is one fun dude, and we spend SO much time together as a family to begin with. My husband now only goes to his office 2.5 days per week, so we're talking GOBS of family time. I do a lot of video chatting when I'm gone, which results in hilarious face making sessions into the cameras. I do get a lot of "how do you do it?" questions, but I like to assure people it's not hard- it's the opportunity of a lifetime.

With such a busy schedule, what do you do to stay inspired and creative?

I have really creative friends and family- which is where I find most, if not all, of my inspiration. I'm surrounded by colorful and interesting folks, and that sort of translates into my work. I also feel it's important to point out that I never know what to expect coming into a session- I like a blank slate so I can adapt to each family or each subject. That really helps the creative process- feeding off the family's personality and dynamics.

Are there times that you feel overwhelmed? What do you do?

The holiday season almost kills me every year. Everybody needs everything asap and it's hard not to overbook. I think this year I'll try and get it right: simplify and get somebody to help me in the office. So far, that's the only time I've felt like I was totally drowning and I'm already brainstorming ideas that will help me out this time around. Thinking ahead has to help, right?!

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