**All images in this post are copyright Laura  Novak.***

NEXT WEEK: Karen Lippowiths

{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!
 

Laura,    You have an absolute gift for organization, business, and marketing.  I attended a presentation you gave at a DWF convention years ago and was blown away by your knowlege and expertise.  You have created a very successful business in Philadelphia and in the meantime gotten married and moved into a gorgeous studio.  I'm so thrilled that you are here on Women and Business!  Thank you!

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?
It’s really important to me to be present during the photo sessions, to bring my heart and soul to the session and connect with my subject.  Children know when you are just humoring them, or if you really care.  They are very intuitive.

 

How do you make time for your personal life and business life?
I love having my studio outside the home; when I go to work, I’m at work and when I’m home – I’m home.  Evenings and weekends are often spent with my husband or friends.  It’s a very different lifestyle from when I first started out... my schedule and separation of business and personal has been a work in progress for a long time!  There were a few defining moments that made me realize that I had to protect my personal time.  In the last few years I have been saying no more than ever, whereas when I first started I almost never said no to anything.  Now I’m really careful of preserving of my personal time and unless something is really important to our goals, I won’t travel or take on a big project - especially if it requires evenings or weekends. The more focused I have gotten with the business, the more I know what to say yes and what to say no to.

 

What is your schedule like each week in your studio?
I usually go to yoga first thing in the morning, and then come home, hang out with my dogs and husband and answer emails while watching the news.  I’ll go into the Wilmington studio around 9ish and typically have a photo session, I will select images from the previous session and transfer the editing over to our production manager.  I may do some admin work, take a look at our finances (I have daily metrics I look at every day), or work on our marketing.  Then I will most likely have lunch with a friend or colleague and head over to our PA location in the afternoon (about a half hour away).  I’ll typically answer questions and mentor the photographers over there for a while, do some errands, have any meetings or finish the day with a photo session.  I love it every day.

 

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?
Start out with a business plan – know how much money you need to get going, the kind of customers you want to bring in the door and take the time to understand what is going to be required.  Most people I have talked to in my workshops (women especially) fall into the photography by accident and don’t really have a plan for what they are going to charge, how they are going to get customers, how much money it is going to take to start and when they can start taking a salary.  Then they are not taken very seriously by their spouses or family and become upset or frustrated which creates conflict.  It’s always best to establish expectations in advance – for yourself and everyone else in your life!

 

You are a fantastic business woman.  What made you start Strategy Avenue?
After I would speak or teach at a workshop or convention, photographers would come up and ask questions like ‘how do you get customers?’ or ‘how do you price.’  My response was “what does your business plan say?” and they would look at me like I am crazy!  But you have to have a plan when you are starting a business.  How I market, or price, is irrelevant to how another photographer should market, or price.   It all depends on your strategy, your mission and your vision.   One size fits all doesn’t work!

After learning more about what photographers really need to create a business plan, I developed a product that visually communicates how to create a business plan with a corresponding DVD curriculum.  It was difficult and expensive to produce but I have gotten great feedback from our customers ranging from their ability to get a bank loan to finally understanding their goal as a photographer.   It takes you through all the major steps of business planning, it’s hard work and essential to the success of any company big or small. I use the same product on my own company and re-visit my business plan every January.

 

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?
I love to hang out with my dogs and my husband, John.  I am a total foodie and love going out to dinner with friends and with John.  We live in a great walking neighborhood and spend a lot of time out chatting with people and going for walks.  We also volunteer our time to many different charity organizations that are important to us where we meet new people.  

 

What are you most proud of as a business woman?
I have a firm set of values that I never compromise on.  Even if I could make more money or come out ahead by compromising my values, I never would.  Integrity is what is most important to me.

 

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?
I really try to have specific times that I work, and times that I do not.  I plan evening and weekend activities, when possible, around things my husband already has going on so we can be home at the same time.  Since being married, I have focused more on children’s portraiture and less on wedding photography so I can be home with him on the weekends.  I only tend to go to one national convention a year so if I’m asked to speak at one, I won’t attend another. My marriage is top priority in my life.  I don’t expect my husband’s life to revolve around photography, he’s interested in my business and helps out from time to time but we have other interests together as well.
 

You recently did a wonderful project with an ICU.  How did that come about?

Almost two years ago, I was on a shuttle bus coming back to Delaware from the Philadelphia airport and the only other two people on the bus were Nurses from the Hospital.  We started talking and came up with the idea.  I sent an email as a follow up and they forwarded it to a junior-level events coordinator at the Hospital.  We then just kept meeting with people and following up.  It was a good year of meeting with people and following up before we were able to begin photographing.  Once the head NICU nurse got wind of the idea, she really drove it forward because she wanted it so badly for her patients.

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful?
I do yoga most days from 6 am. - 7 am.  It reminds me of the kind of person I want to be and keeps me centered and balanced for the day’s craziness.  

 

What have you done that you feel has the most meaning for you?
When I was watching the unveiling of the NICU project I was involved with, I was really excited about how much meaning it offers and how this project will continue to inspire people who are struggling with a infant who is fighting to survive. 

 

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?
I certainly can feel that way sometimes.  But I try not to get upset about feeling overwhelmed, being overwhelmed means I am outside me comfort zone, that I am learning and stretching. When I do feel overwhelmed I really try to stay as calm as possible under stress, and laughing always helps.  We laugh a lot in our studios and I think the day we stop laughing, it stops being fun.  I also have GREAT mentors, all outside the photography industry and I find there is usually someone I can call who can help me sort through a problem.  Finally I try to accept it as part of the journey of being a business owner and constantly learning!

 

What three products or things help you stay organized?

1. Things (conveniently named)
2. I use the voice recorder in my iphone when I think of something while I am in the car (only at red lights, I did sign the Oprah no phone zone pledge!)
3. ical – both of my store managers have my calendar on their computers so anyone can see what I’m doing at any time and when and where to expect me next

What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?
Allow negativity and drama to enter into their day.  I have a zero drama tolerance in my companies – and with 10 women the potential is there!  At Laura Novak Photography and Little Nest Portraits, If you are struggling in your job, we will get you training and support. If you are frustrated with another employee – we expect you to talk to that person directly in a honest and productive way.  If you are having a personal situation, take the time you need and come back when you are ready.  But there is no gossip, no whining, no negative attitudes allowed.  We just can’t afford to have it part of our culture. 

I also think that women, more than men, tend to try to be best friends with their employees.  They think “if they like me, then they will do what I ask.”  In my company it’s more important to me to be respected than to be liked.  If I can be both, that is a bonus.  I’m close friends with several of my employees but mutual respect is the foundation of the friendship.

**For a more indepth look at how to be a great manager see Laura's interview here with Totally Rad.**

What is something that you think women in the industry should do?
They should follow their intuition, rather than over-think something and thus over-ride their gut feeling.  I have learned to trust my intuition over the years, because every time I don’t I end up regretting it.  At this point, if something doesn’t feel right I won’t even consider it.  A woman’s intuition is a gift.

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content, and blissful life?

1. always make your family and your personal life your highest priority.  It helps you to have an identity outside of work, which to me is the key to balance.
2. taking care of your health and your body will allow you to live in the moment and find your truest intention in your day
3. your fear of regret should always be more important than your fear of failure
4. surround yourself only with the kind of people who lift you higher
5. life is a journey.  Learn from the mistakes, celebrate the adventures and be grateful for every step along the way.

To see more of Laura's work:

Website

Blog

Strategy Avenue

Living the Dream Workshop

**All images in this post are copyright Laura  Novak.***