Connect with us

Business

Building A Successful Photography Business That Lasts With Mary Jane Cole

Published

on

Photo: Shutterstock

It takes a lot of effort to keep a business running, as Mary Jane Cole knows all too well. 

The 25-year-old runs her own photography business called Mary Jane Cole Photography (MJCP), and more impressively, she does it all alone. I sat down with Cole to get the details on how MJCP was born, the challenges she faced, and her plans for the future.

Planting the Seed.

Cole always knew she wanted to be an artist. Right from the moment, she could hold a pencil, all she wanted to do was draw. Sleep be dammed.

Her love for Photography started a bit later. She found an old Nikon Coolpix while rummaging through a closet and started taking pictures of whatever caught her fancy. 

One thing led to the other, and before she knew it, people from all over her town were offering to pay her to take photos of their families. 

She wouldn’t realize it until much later, but this was a very significant moment in her life. It was the first time someone acknowledged her skill, saw value in it, and was willing to pay for it. 

This small moment was a seed that eventually bloomed into MJCP.

The Birth of MJCP

After graduating high school, Cole moved to Ventura, California, to pursue her art. Moving to California was a big decision with many risks, and for the first few months, Cole worked odd jobs. She saved up what little she could and was eventually able to buy a decent DSLR.

Cole knew that if she wanted to be successful as an artist, she had to improve her reach, so she posted her pictures on Instagram. She stumbled her way through a Facebook business account and had business cards printed out. 

They said Mary Jane Cole Photography.

Early days

In the early days, MJCP wasn’t the thriving, successful business that it is today. 

In the first place, Cole still worked a day job, so she could not devote as much time and energy as she’d have liked to MJCP. Her client base was sparse, and apart from the occasional $100 shoot here and there, she’d sometimes go weeks without a single client. 

But Cole was nothing if not persistent. “I think Passion and Persistence are both really important to make a living in Photography or any art. she said to me. “You are the only person holding yourself accountable for getting the work done and sometimes working long hours doing things that aren’t ‘fun.’ You face a lot of rejection, and you have to really want it. If the passion isn’t there, it won’t be worth it.” 

Cole’s passion drove her persistence, and she refused to give up. If anything, she only became more tenacious. “I gave my card to waitresses and retail workers anytime I was out and saw someone that I thought could fit a vision I had.” She says. “Every year, I put a little more work into building a portfolio and finding an editing style and buying camera equipment and trying to create an online presence.”

Taking the leap

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Cole was affected just like everybody else. However, she decided to turn this challenge into an opportunity. “the COVID-19 19 pandemic hit, and my hours were significantly reduced at my job. I had so much free time all of the sudden to work on my website and write advertisements and invest in marketing education.”

She worked on improving every aspect of her business throughout the lockdown period, and when the lockdown ended, she took a leap and quit her old job. 

The bookings have not stopped coming since.

Challenges: Efficiency vs. Authenticity

Running a business alone Is a lot of work, something Cole soon realized. She was in charge of every facet of the company, from customer relations to the actual shooting. 

She has always had a fierce independent streak, so she struggled to outsource any of her work. She wants to maintain the integrity of her work, and that would be compromised if she gave parts of her work to others. 

“I feel a lot of pride and responsibility for the work I do,” she says, “so I struggle a little bit with time management, sometimes not being able to delegate tasks or outsource. I want to always be honest about my work being solely my own. From a business standpoint, that limits my income ability and productivity a lot to do every part of the process, from the communication to editing alone. But I know my clients appreciate that I do what I do with integrity and a lot of passion.”

Resolving this conflict was one of the most significant challenges she has faced so far in her career. She said, “I’m learning my limits time-wise and energy-wise and becoming more organized to help streamline the parts of the process I can. I’ve had to learn to say no to projects I’m not passionate about to leave space for things that fit my vision and clients that value my work.”

The Future

Cole has a lot of plans. Big plans. One is her first solo gallery scheduled for completion next year. She’s also thinking about starting a culture collective, custom clothing, and even ar magazine.

Her words perfectly capture her dreams for the future.

“I basically want the future to be more of the present, but hopefully on a bigger scale.”

This article contains branded content provided by a third party. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the content creator or sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or editorial stance of Popular Hustle.

Business

Arabella Jo Transforms Legal Industry with SolutionWithLawyers Platform

Published

on

SolutionWithLawyers Founder, Arabella Jo

SolutionWithLawyers, a rising legal technology company spearheaded by Arabella Jo, has unveiled a fresh platform that’s turning heads in the legal industry. Their innovative system tackles the often-frustrating challenges of referrals and lien management that have long plagued law firms.

In what might be seen as a bold move for the traditionally conservative legal sector, the platform harnesses sophisticated algorithms to match clients with legal professionals. This smart-matching system considers not just basic requirements, but delves deeper into specific case nuances and attorney expertise levels – a far cry from the old-school methods of manual referrals that often left both clients and attorneys frustrated.

SolutionWithLawyers Platform

“Traditional referral processes in legal practices often suffer from inefficiencies, delays, and miscommunications,” explains Arabella Jo, who seems particularly proud of the platform’s instant notification feature. While it might sound simple, this real-time update system has proven to be a game-changer for firms struggling with communication gaps. The company hasn’t cut corners on security either, implementing robust communication channels that keep sensitive client information under digital lock and key.

Perhaps the platform’s most impressive feat is its approach to lien management – typically one of the more headache-inducing aspects of legal practice. The system introduces a comprehensive digital solution that might make paralegals breathe a collective sigh of relief. With its centralized digital repository, automated tracking capabilities, and built-in deadline management tools, the platform essentially serves as a virtual assistant for lien-related tasks.

The user interface, clearly designed with busy legal professionals in mind, allows for quick electronic lien filing and document access through a unified digital system. This streamlined approach means less time shuffling papers and more time focusing on what matters most – client representation.

Arabella Jo

Those interested in exploring this innovative platform can find more information at www.solutionwithlawyers.com. As the legal industry continues its somewhat reluctant march toward digitization, solutions like this represent a significant step forward in modernizing traditional processes.

The development comes at a crucial time when law firms are increasingly seeking ways to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. While some firms might be hesitant to embrace such technological changes, early adopters are already reporting noticeable improvements in their operational efficiency and client service delivery.

Industry observers note that this kind of innovation could mark a turning point in how legal practices manage their day-to-day operations, though only time will tell if it truly revolutionizes the industry as intended.

Continue Reading

Business

How Nawab Hussain Ali Al-Balooshi is Empowering New Investors

Published

on

Nawab Hussain Ali Al-Balooshi

When you think of cryptocurrency education in the UAE, Nawab Hussain Ali Al-Balooshi stands out as a dedicated voice in the space. Since diving into the world of digital currencies back in 2019, he’s become an active participant in Dubai’s evolving crypto scene, focusing his efforts on education and accessibility.

Al-Balooshi, who heads up the education platform Bitcoineen, didn’t just stumble into cryptocurrency by chance. Like many who got caught up in the blockchain revolution, his journey began with a simple curiosity about digital systems and encryption. He turned that curiosity into a focused mission to help others navigate this complex landscape.

“It’s not just about buying and selling digital assets,” he often reminds his students. Through Bitcoineen, Al-Balooshi has developed educational programs that aim to make sense of the crypto world in practical terms. His company has established itself as a resource for cryptocurrency education, particularly for those who’ve been hesitant to explore digital investing.

What’s noteworthy is how Al-Balooshi has built a social media presence centered on educational content. His Instagram has grown to over 483,000 followers through educational content that aims to help people understand this new financial frontier.

Over on TikTok, where he’s gathered 214,000 followers and 2.6 million likes, Al-Balooshi adapts his educational approach. His short-form videos break down complex topics into accessible segments while maintaining focus on core educational principles.

“Many of our students have achieved significant growth through proper learning and strategic approaches,” Al-Balooshi shares, emphasizing that success in cryptocurrency investment isn’t overnight magic – it’s about understanding the fundamentals and applying proper strategies.

Bitcoineen’s approach to crypto education focuses on practical, applicable knowledge. Al-Balooshi has developed a curriculum that aims to connect theoretical understanding with real-world application in the crypto education space.

For those interested in learning more, Al-Balooshi maintains an active presence across social media platforms, with his resources available through his Linktree. His educational content, primarily in Arabic, serves as a resource for Arabic-speaking audiences looking to understand the complexities of cryptocurrency trading and investment.

As Dubai continues to develop its presence in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, educators like Al-Balooshi contribute to the conversation. His work focuses on teaching about cryptocurrency and helping people participate in the digital economy.

Through Bitcoineen and his various platforms, Al-Balooshi demonstrates his approach to cryptocurrency education – making complex concepts accessible while maintaining their essential depth. His ongoing work continues to contribute to the broader conversation about cryptocurrency education in the UAE.

Continue Reading

Business

The French Team Masters Million Dollar Deals In Hollywood

Published

on

The French Team (Jean-Baptiste Rugiero and Mehdi Maamri)

In what could be described as a game-changing moment for Los Angeles’s luxury real estate, French powerhouse duo Jean-Baptiste Rugiero and Mehdi Maamri of The Agency have orchestrated the sale of Kanye West’s breathtaking Malibu beachfront property. The striking residence, a masterpiece designed by celebrated architect Tadao Ando, found its new owner in Belwood Investments founder Steve “Bo” Belmont, who saw potential where others might have hesitated.

The transaction stands as a testament to the distinctive approach of Rugiero and Maamri, who have quietly but surely carved out their niche in Los Angeles’s notoriously competitive luxury real estate market. The property, which had raised eyebrows in real estate circles due to West’s unconventional interior modifications, ended up being one of the year’s most talked-about deals – though not for the reasons one might expect.

“Every property tells a story,” industry insiders often say, and this particular narrative is still unfolding. What makes this deal particularly noteworthy isn’t just its high-profile nature, but the skillful navigation required to bring it to closure, something that has become somewhat of a calling card for the French agents.

In a natural evolution of their growing influence, the duo is now setting their sights on the small screen. They’ve entered into preliminary discussions with veteran French producer Fabrice Sopoglian about developing a docu-reality series. The timing couldn’t be better, as they prepare to launch a new luxury real estate department. The proposed show promises to pull back the curtain on the often-misunderstood world of high-end real estate, offering viewers an unvarnished look at what it really takes to close multi-million-dollar deals in one of the world’s most demanding markets.

Their success in securing and finalizing the Malibu property deal underscores a broader trend in luxury real estate – the growing importance of agents who can do more than just show properties. In an era where discretion meets social media, and traditional luxury intersects with modern expectations, Rugiero and Maamri seem to have found their sweet spot.

The planned television venture, while ambitious, feels like a natural next step for the pair, who have consistently demonstrated an understanding of how modern luxury real estate operates. It’s not just about the properties anymore – it’s about the story, the journey, and yes, sometimes even the drama that comes with eight-figure deals and high-profile clients.

As the luxury real estate market continues to evolve, this French duo appears well-positioned to not just adapt, but to help shape what comes next. Their recent success with the Malibu property might be making headlines today, but it’s their overall approach to the business that suggests they’ll be making news for years to come.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Follow Us - Popular Hustle on Spotify

Trending