Setting The Size Of Your Business

What's your idea of a successful company? Is it a business with a client base of more than one million and up? Or do you see yourself as a personalized boutique studio? These questions are critical in figuring out the direction of your business. In a world driven by success and accomplishment we have to ask ourselves what it is and why we want the results we're looking for.

Both small and and large businesses take work but the processes are different and the values change with them as well. Sitting down and seriously considering these factors determines the outcome of your results. If your clear from the start then all the thinking and cognitive dissonance will be dissipated and focused on goals to carry on the vision.

“The small man who dreams is ten feet tall”

Sure the idea of a big business tycoon can be appealing to a lot of young ones in the game but remember what it takes to get there. Being bigger requires you to be more responsible with your employees and the capacity to make decisions. Having so many people being part of the same company demands constant communication in more and more efficient ways to ease off the growing complexity.

It may sound like a fun ego boosting trip but believe me if you want to make it as big as the stars then that little boy or girl needs to be checked out the door. The more you grow the less it becomes about you. Sure you may be the figure head to the business but having trust in your team and army of employees will be the first things to consider for upward growth.

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It takes quite the personality and character to run a large business enterprise. It's not for everyone and for those who do it can be quite the challenge on commitment.

But don't get me wrong, I'm not here to put down your hopes and dreams in creating a gigantic business. If you ready and keen on that direction then by all means, I want you to make it happen! Hire the best of the best, think of always being on that cutting edge and focus on your clients while adding the maximum amount of quality service as possible.

Men like Sam Walton of Wall-Mart was obsessively committed to his business. Always focusing on creating a growing family rather than a range of employees. But ultimately a volume based business has to set aside some compromises on quality. Even with companies such as Apple who always who put quality on the forefront with an innovative customer experience the company has not been the same since Steve Jobs.

“One seed, one drop, one million years later.”

No matter how lofty our dreams are, we all have to start at ground zero. The beginning will be tough for most but the reality has a good way of serving the best humble soup. In the end the artist or the individual can never appeal to everyone and everything without compromising their own ideals. That's why staying small or specialized can be more appealing to others.

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For others staying small and hardly ever compromising on your ideals can lead to just as much impact. Bill Cunningham always stayed small but was respected none the less.

Staying true to our own ideals and values sets the tone for products and art that can be truly unique and inspiring for those around them. If you love doing the work yourself and getting your hands dirty than continue to do so. Having a small team for support helps you to be current and motivated to serve while staying in business.

There will always be some weighting of the scales when dealing with money. No matter how good your work becomes the trading plane becomes equal once something is perceived as the same value. If your okay with that then have your space to create and increase that perceived value in many ways. Be it the quality, the marketing and your personality. As you continue to travel the path and start to realize that you would like others doing what you do at the same level than you'll be ready to start trusting others in growing the vision. That's the beginning of creating a large enterprise.

Hitting That Sweet Spot!

Once you've found your stride and know your outcomes than you be able to free up all the mental workings of your brand and take action. If your going to niche into something make sure you've testing all other possibilities. Weddings for example are a great way to sustain a healthy business while keeping it simple and boutique. The potential is also there to grow larger if you want as well. Other niches such as fashion or fine art do require you to stay at longer than most but every branch of photography has it's possibilities in business.

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Setting up a team can help your company grow in a sustainable way. If the vision is great people will naturally want to be a part of it. Share your ideals with others if you feel compelled to do so.

Making profits consistently requires you to be creative with how to make a living just like the process in creating the photography. Remember that you don't have to manage every little thing to stay integral as an artist. Having others do the things you dislike but necessary will keep you afloat and current as you roll with the never ending changes. Have your passion drive you forward no matter the ups and downs

So before you start labeling yourself as a certain size consider the idea of what you want first. What fields of photography your most interested in and where can the money be made. We all need to sustain ourselves and there's no shame in doing less than ideal work that can get to where your going.

Each business size has it's challenges but be truthful with yourself and learn what fits best. You don't have to be like everyone else. Create something unique and be the artist if that rings true to your soul. Companies sometimes take decades to get to the size they are today. But that starts with today. Right here, right now. One step at a time.

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Keep Snappin!'

Chris From MKMI Photo