How to Succeed in Business

Despite getting minimal sleep last night, I feel energetic today thinking about the momentum I'm gaining with print > pixel. Last week I mailed off my first official order, which is a huge milestone. I've completed projects for family and friends, but this was the first job where I quoted a price and actually invoiced the transaction. It feels great.

Today I was fortunate to get another order. When I arrived at the client's house, she had her photos laid out on the table, tidy rows of beautiful black and white photographs of her family. I was excited about this peek into her life, but more than anything, I felt honored.

For many of us using digital cameras, camera phones or cameras built-in to our computers, an image is easily disposable. If it's doesn't satisfy, we can delete it and take another in a matter of minutes. It is just as easily replicated, whether your software allows you to copy and paste, duplicate or make a copy from your master. One of the reasons I get excited about the work I'm doing is because these print photos are literally one of a kind memories. There were probably no reprints made of these black and white photos. It didn't seem like the negatives were still available, either.

I felt honored and grateful to know that a client put their trust in me to preserve their memories. The first order I returned was sent from Oklahoma. That client boxed up her pictures and sent them to me on the recommendation of a friend. Today, my client gathered her photos into an envelope and pressed them into my arms along with a carton of home-made sorbet. 

My orders are rolling in. I'm learning new software. I'm forming relationships with clients and business partners. I am building a business. It's becoming evident that the foundation of my business is trust. Thank you, dear clients, for building it along with me.