Celebrating 4 Years in Business

I’m so excited to celebrate 4 years in business!

If you told me 4 years ago that I would quit my corporate job and become a business owner and a photographer, I would not have believed you. Turns out, it was one of the best life decisions I ever made.

Was it easy? No! But with every challenge and struggle, I learned and grew.

I started this business in 2018 after I was burned out at my corporate job as a software test engineer. I had to travel 3 hours round trip every day from northern New Jersey to central New Jersey. While I loved my job and the people I worked with, after having my first child, it was getting harder and harder. I tried my best to push through and be a good mother, wife, and employee, but eventually, I ended up depressed, feeling ‘not enough’, and hated my life.

After having a few discussions with my husband, we decided it was time for me to move on and find another career path. I knew I didn’t want to work in the IT field anymore and I knew I LOVED photography. I had no idea how to run a business, so I decided to take lots of online courses related to photography and business. I quickly became accustomed to making tons of mistakes, but it has been a wonderful journey.

The best part of being a business owner is being in control of my time. This includes more flexibility with family time, especially during the pandemic.

I’d like to share a few things that I learned during these 4 years. 

1. Be patient. Be patient when you start a business. Getting clients and building an audience takes time, so be persistent and consistent online and offline. Share your knowledge and provide value to build your know, like, and trust factor.
2. Don’t compare. Comparison will not help you grow. You can check out your competitors for inspiration and admiration, but you are unique and you have something to give to the world. Don’t allow others’ opinions to dictate what you want in your business and in life. Be you and be authentic.
3. Find your community. If you are a solo entrepreneur, find a community of peers who understand the struggle of being a business owner and can help you navigate through your challenges. You can join a chamber of commerce, an association, a BNI, a women’s group, and even a mastermind. Start joining 1 or 2 in the beginning and you’ll figure out what groups work best for you. You don’t have to be alone on this journey.
4. Network and collaborate. Networking is so powerful and can create opportunities to collaborate. I know, as an introvert myself, it can be scary and stressful, but if I can do it, you can too! Be strategic when choosing the event that you want to attend. Ask yourself why you want to network. Is it to meet new people from your industry, from other industries that complement your work, or just to learn something new?
5. It’s ok to say NO. Learning to say no can be hard, but as a business owner, this can allow you to have more time to work on your business, serve your clients, open up for more opportunities, spend time with your family, and take care of yourself. Keep in mind that saying yes to certain things can challenge you to be a better person or business owner. That’s how you grow.

I hope this will inspire you to find your passion and go for it!

Thank you to my family for believing in me and supporting me! Thank you to all my amazing clients for trusting me to create memorable images for you! Thank you to my network and followers for engaging with my content and the wonderful conversations.

Cheers (with my large cup of coffee)!

Charissa H. Yong is a New Jersey branding and portrait photographer who is passionate about helping service-based entrepreneurs stand out confidently and authentically in the crowded online world. Learn more.

Photography by Jessica Jane Photography.