For the last few months things have happened really quickly for me. I felt like DSE was growing, a lot … which is, of course, great!!! But if I’m being honest here, I felt like I didn’t have time to really take a deep breath … Do you ever feel like your just going, going, going & never really breathing? Well that’s how I felt and I needed that big breath, desperately!!! I had started going through the rebranding process so I was beginning to really differentiate myself from other planners/designers in the industry… and that can be scary!!! Figuring out what’s “YOU” and WHY that’s you is a terrifying but oh-so-rewarding journey!!! I wrote this post last week & one of my tips to brides on their wedding day is to take time & breathe. I wrote that because I’m THAT girl, y’all!!! Sometimes, amidst the hustle & bustle & craziness of life, I need to take a step back & breathe. I need to refocus, find a game plan, and allow that quick break to jump starts my heart (and mind). Sometimes I only need a short hour or two… reading a book on the couch or taking time to clean & declutter my home. Other times it’s a full weekend off… a weekend full of lazy mornings, snuggly night & not worrying about emails or crafts or even showering, ha. Just relaxing and refocusing!!
In February, I was really craving a deep breathe for DSE… a bit of guidance & a chance to sit back & take it all in. I wanted to sit down with another creative woman entrepreneur and LEARN… to soak up all I could & really apply it to my business. Things were moving so quickly, and I wanted to make sure I was doing it RIGHT… Quality OVER Quantity.
When we work in the industry that we do, not everyone understands it. In fact, really the ONLY other people who understand it are women who do it, too!! It was at the most PERFECT time that Natalie Franke officially announced her Mentoring Sessions. I immediately emailed her in hopes that she’d be open to talking with a non-photographer. And I am SO THANKFUL she was!!!!
Last week, I drove up to her beautiful town of Annapolis, MD and from the very moment she opened the front door, I felt like we were old friends. We drank tea, ate cookies, laughed, joked, cried & laughed (& cried!) some more. She truly is a remarkable women, y’all!!! She’s down to earth yet incredibly business savvy. And she’s a leader in her industry, while still staying so humble & relatable. We talked about SO MUCH in that short day!!! My client experience & my brand – what sets DSE apart… why AM I different; my packages & pricing, my big, ugly fears & scary, crazy dreams; the behind the scenes of business ownership, social media presence, tips for working with blog editors & what really matters: faith & family.
Friends. It was a BEAUTIFUL day!!!!! She is SO WISE & poured it all out to me!!! (I think wisdom might just be one of her spiritual gifts… She was literally overflowing with practical advice!!!) She encouraged me, critiqued me & loved on me SO MUCH that day… I’m telling you … when you cry 4 TIMES together, you form a bond:)
If you’ve thought about investing in a Mentoring Session with her, please do it. I PROMISE you, it was one of the best investments I could have ever made!!!! I’m SO excited to implement amazing new things to DSE, some you’ll see firsthand while others are on the backend to help me out. And, as if the knowledge & friendship I gained wasn’t enough… I have amazing new headshots for the brand launch!!!! Eeekk! We LITERALLY ran around Annapolis because we talked too long & almost lost the sunlight!! Ha! But even in heels, it was worth it. This girl made me feel like a rocks star, inside & out.
Natalie, THANK YOU!!! You really are a kindred spirit & I am HONORED to have had a mentor session with you. Thank you for letting me into your stunning office space, feeding me cookies & fish tacos & giving me multiple hugs. Thank you for shedding tears with me, sharing stories with me & encouraging me SO MUCH. Gah. Natalie. You truly are an amazing women & I’m so blessed Jesus brought you into my life!!! xo!!!!!
And, because I can’t wait to share these amazing pictures with you.. here’s a little peak!! (Isn’t Annapolis GORGEOUS… I want to go back!!!!)
xo!! kat
