I’m not perfect.  Neither is my business.

Imperfect highlights:

I went from being a teacher to a photographer overnight. Literally.

I knew NOTHING about photography when I started working as a professional.  (Where professional = being paid to take people’s pictures.)

I used to work for one of those studios that sold images by the SHEET.  1 8×10, 2 5x7s, 3 4×6′s, 4 3.5×5′s, or 8 wallets?  All $25.

When I sold the $179 collection, I would DANCE WITH JOY.

I’ve Photoshopped client images in front of them, saying “Is this good?  Is this good?” until they approve.

I’ve never made an online sale of more than $800.  (There’s a REASON I sell stuff in person!)

I was totally jealous when my advice helped a dominatrixee to make a $3900 sale.  TOTALLY. JEALOUS.

I have a studio space but prefer working from home in my pajamas.  Sometimes I forget to change the garbage and then the studio’s ordering room smells funny.

I obsess about my branding materials, constantly revising them, instead of doing marketing work.

I shoot film and then get it developed at Walgreen’s because I CAN’T WAIT 10 DAYS TO SEE IT.  Yes, Walgreen’s.

I’m an introvert’s introvert and totally FREAK OUT when forced to go to a networking event.  (I wanted to stay in my hotel room for every minute of WPPI.)

I often feel guilty about teaching photographers anything, ever.  For any reason.  I frequently forget that teaching is my first love and I’ve been doing it since age 4.  (My teddy bears could READ, man.)

I’m not perfect, and I’m not claiming to be.  I just call it like I see it and it works.  Dominatrixees have revamped brands, instituted in-person ordering, booked up for the next 3 months in a week, etc, etc…from working with me.  (They do the work. I help ‘em know which work is the work that needs doing right this minute.)

Five dominatrixing spots go on sale tomorrow at 10 am EST.

If you’re ready to work hard, make goals, and then be coached through meeting them, you need a dominatrix.  There are 5 spots available.

Each spot costs $995.  They hit at 10am EST.  For more information, go here.  Or just buy right here if it’s after 10am on the 12th.

Some dominatrixing peeps said this stuff.  I don’t want to link to them because, um, I don’t have permission to…but they’re real live paying dominatrixed people.  Pinkie-swear.

You’ll learn about business and get your goals crystal clear during our time together.  You might just learn about yourself during the process.

“With your help, I figured myself out.  It’s a whole different world now.” – Alison

“Beyond just the tangible differences, I feel more confident to make my own decisions, feel like I know where I want my business to go, and how to get it there.”  – Gwen

“As a result of working with you, I know exactly what it is that makes my business unique and special.  Which is the best gift of all.  And I also have an entirely new brand, pricing structure, blog, and brochure, which are no small things either.  I now have confidence in myself as a business person and the value of my art.” – Miki

But is it worth $995, you ask?

“Totally worth every penny.  HUGE value!  I mean you get a day and a half at a workshop and it costs 50% more – plus travel expenses.  You’re the best thing going right now.” – Alisa

“If you had a dollar for each time I said/thought “this is why I’m paying you”, you’d have a lot more of my money!” – Becky

Luckily, you don’t need a perfect teacher to make change.  You just need an effective one.

Again, buy here after 10am on the 12th.  Learn more here.

Want to read it on the blog? IN WHICH I TALK DOMINATRIXING.

The mini-consult process goes like this: you download a questionnaire and e-mail it to me, I look it over and come up with suggestions, we chat for half an hour about tweaks you can make, and you do a happy dance.  At least, that’s how it’s gone for everyone so far.

Regular posting tomorrow!  Click to purchase your mini-consult!

Want to read it on the blog? SIX MINI-CONSULTS AVAILABLE…STARTING NOW.

This post made me cry.  A lot, and happily.  You can do this.  We can do this.

Copied and pasted from The Blogging Mum blog:

I asked for reality. I said I wanted reality. This morning, I got reality.

I had the best 30 minute conversation of my life this morning. I love that I have supportive family and friends, but I really needed to get some honest to goodness business advice. I want to be able to focus 100% on my work instead of having a part time job on the side just in case. I needed help in making this my reality. So I hired someone, a wonderful woman who is energetic and real and whose work I love.

It was kind of hard, in one sense, to hear her give it to me straight. She even confessed that she though I was going to cry or hang up on her. I had to laugh a little at that. Everything she told me was right on the button, though. Everything that I’ve been struggling with and feeling at odds about, bam! She nailed it. She was able to give me advice on how to do what I love for a living and still maintain my heart, and how I want to help people.

I’m going to be relaunching my business under a new brand and new name with a goal of January 2010, and I feel really set free about it all. All those things that were holding me back are now gone away. I was able to come away from the session with a very precise focus, some great advice, and kind of feeling like I’ve just been given the best present in the world.

I know I can make it work. Seriously, that was probably the best money I’ve ever spent. Ever. Do you have branding issues? You should check her out, then. Kristen, you rock!

Want to read it on the blog? THE POST THAT MADE ME CRY

Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter the contest.  For the (contest) losers, a treat! Up to 10 of you can snag a mini-consult for $95 — then it’s back to only full consults being offered. Again, the mini-consult is a big ol’ questionaire via e-mail and a 30-minute chat about your brand with me, Kristen. It’s a way to get your brain in gear and thinking in a new way…and you can talk as fast as you want to squeeze everything into that half-hour.

The first 10 peeps to e-mail brandcamponline@gmail.com with title ‘Mini-Brand Me, Baby!’ snag a mini-consult with me for $95!

ETA: 4 spots remain!

Want to read it on the blog? BRANDING MINI-CONSULT WINNERS