How It Started and How It's Going
I've been loving the “How It Started/How It's Going” posts on Instagram and decided to do my own!
How It Started
In 2013 I started MegaBug Photography, LLC. I was 18, had just graduated with my associate's degree, was pursuing my bachelor's in English, and worked part time at Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank.
At that point I wanted to become a full-time portrait photographer, and my dreams were to be immersed in the glam of creativity while submitting landscape photos to magazines on the side.
In 2016 I had booked my first season of weddings and went full on self-employed. But weddings were something I had never wanted to get into. I'm not a big wedding person - Shelby and I eloped! - but a college marketing project revealed that's where the market is, and if it's what led me to self-employment, I'd do it.
But the pressure, the weekends, being an extrovert for six hours straight when I'm (believe it or not) immensely introverted- was exhausting. I'd cry during the week thinking of how draining my Saturday wedding would be.
I had achieved my dream and it was making me miserable.
Then I decided to pivot…
Around that time I started a marketing company on the side with a partner. Because I had developed my marketing skills while building MegaBug Photography, I discovered I was pretty good at it and, above all, enjoyed it. Light bulb!
Towards the end of 2016 my partner and I ended up splitting the business, which is when I established Nutmeg Media, LLC.
How It's Going
In 2019 I rebranded to Miss MegaBug, LLC and am no longer offering photography. I'm focusing on website design and my online business and marketing courses so I can help a wider range of people grow the business of their dreams.
Looking back I'm proud of my resilience and determination to keep going. It was devastating to realize that my ultimate dream made me miserable, and I was so close to giving up and taking on a full-time job. But instead I pivoted and am settling into where I'm meant to be.
How You Can Get Going
When we feel stuck, many of us feel that it's safer to stick with what's known instead of taking a leap and venturing into the uncertain and risky territory searching for something new.
While bills and other obligations are valid, trying something new doesn't mean you have to completely uproot where you're at. It's actually better to keep your job and build your business on the side.
I've had a few part-time jobs since shifting to self-employment in 2016, and I left my most recent one in October. (If I could do it all over, I would have gone part-time with my job in 2016 instead of leaving all together. But I am where I am and #noragrets.)
Having a set income allows you to be discerning in your business. If your business has to pay your bills from the start, you'll take on difficult clients, overwork yourself, not set boundaries, and begin resenting your business.
By keeping a job on the side, you'll be able to take on only the projects that light you up and are in your zone of genius. Plus, you'll have more money to invest in the growth of your business. (Psst! Before leaping into full-time self employment, be sure to have 6+ months of personal AND business expenses saved. Not only does this alleviate so much stress, it allows you to continue to be discerning in your business, even if you hit a slow spell.)
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Just getting started in business and looking for a roadmap? Check out my free Begin Your Business online course. We’ll cover everything from pricing to forming an LLC, assembling your team to getting your first clients, and everything in between.
Been around the business block and looking to grow? My Self-Employed School online course provides a deep dive on topics including website SEO and design, e-newsletters, social media, public relations, and more. It all culminates in creating an easy and effective marketing strategy for your business.
