Women With Purpose | Interview with Laura Foote
I am so excited to continue with the new blog series for the Rachel Allene blog! This past year, I have learned so much about growing a business, building a brand, increasing online sales, growing a mailing list, etc. through the influence and expertise of other highly creative and talented women. They have encouraged me, inspired me, and taught me to be fearless in my pursuits. They run their businesses with intention, purpose, and with a heart to give back. I am excited to start sharing some interviews with these women. They will offer insight, real talk, and actionable steps for growing a successful and profitable business (while making a difference!)
Today's interview is with Laura Foote. Laura is a theater-loving, new mama, heartfelt business babe who daily challenges me to be patient and full of grace. She is an incredible photographer and loves to tell stories with her lens. She is wise and kind and I can't wait for you to learn from her! She's the real deal.
1. How long have you been in business?
8 years!
2. Describe your business and brand
I am a white space obsessed wedding, newborn & branding photographer, speaker & teacher!
3. What is the biggest struggle you face with your business?
Fear of failure, not being good enough, and not being able to earn a sustainable income doing this for the long term. Gosh, those things just snowball into one another and can absolutely cripple me if I allow them to! I am not the "brave" or even "creative" person you often find in this industry and sometimes having such a detailed and strategic mind feels like a weakness.
4. How do you overcome these struggles?
Accountability with other creatives in similar places with their businesses has helped SO much. I can definitely say that relationships I've built from conferences, online interaction, local networking etc. over the last two years have been game changers for me personally and my business.
5. What is a big dream you have for your business?
For it to be financially sustainable to support our growing family and yet be wildly generous from year to year.
6. What is your best advice for brand new business owners?
Find accountability early and allow yourself to offer insight to others, even though you might feel like "you don't know anything". Because you absolutely DO know things and you'll learn so much more if you take yourself as seriously as you're hoping others well!
7. How do you recharge? What do you love doing outside of work?
I am a total foodie so any day that includes visiting a new, local restaurant is a great one in my book! I enjoy hosting people in my home for conversation and quality time and my weird hobby? Organizing and cleaning. Yep.
8. How do you ditch the hustle and embrace grace?
Being a wife for almost 6 years and foster mom for one year has forced me into this space and I'm SO grateful. It's easy when there is a human right in front of me who has a need and who clearly matters more than my dreams/work/to-do list. It's a no brainer. I have to hold the work loosely and remember (if I'm tempted to forget!) what matters.
9. What's your best productivity tip?
Give yourself the grace to not be chained to a desk, project deadline, to-do list, process etc. That probably sounds like the opposite of "productive" but I see so many women especially that are trapped in this "but I have to get things done!" cycle. And some days, like today, I need to skip my 9AM barre class and take a morning nap before I jump into what needs to happen today. Because that's just the reality! And if I push it, the rest of today will not go well- trust me :)
10. To you, what does it mean to run a heartfelt business?
I love this question because I am committed to running a heartfelt business and struggle on days I feel like I'm not doing things that are meaningful. I have a post-it note addiction and I pretty much cover my desk in them for all different reasons and some days, just a post-it devoted to why what I'm doing that day has "kingdom impact" (speaking about my personal call as a Christian business owner) helps me stay focused. This might be talking about a conversation I recently had with a client, how branding images blessed a business etc.
11. What's your biggest pet peeve?
When people generate clutter or are just messy in general-- can you tell I live with a teenager? Ha!
12. What's your go-to celebration when something big happens with your business?
A dessert or dinner date!
Laura Foote is a photographer who specializes in branding, commercial and wedding portraiture. She has been featured by brands like Lauren Conrad, Emily Ley, and Glitter Guide. Additionally, Laura holds a Master's degree in education and the intersection of learning/teaching/mentoring other creatives is the core of her heart. Laura calls Tampa, FL home where she lives with her high school sweetheart, Jordan, teenage foster daughter, Kathy, and arriving-in-May- baby girl, McCartney. Any day that ends with good food, red wine, and conversations that go 10,000 feet deep are the best in her book!