Entrepreneurs are known for having to perform many different roles. Many struggle with the financial and accounting aspect of their business, while others have a hard time understanding the power of social media. For Lori Johnson, owner of Lori J Photography, she’s the first to admit that her nemesis is marketing.
Lori J Photography provides a boutique photography service experience for Denver wedding photography, family portraits, and lifestyle headshots for entrepreneurs in Denver. The business offers a full product guide for home artwork decor, specialized ordering appointments for families and couples, and easy and quick sessions and ordering for Denver’s busy entrepreneurs.
Marketing may not be Lori’s strong suit, but she is gradually overcome her dislike. “Our work with Wendy and the Denver Metro SBDC team has allowed Lori J Photography to focus on our target clients,” says owner Lori Johnson.
“We have learned so much about our business needs that we didn’t know before. In the photography world, there is so much competition and as artists we are constantly critiquing. It can sometimes turn destructive and get in the way of the artwork we produce. In working with Wendy, we have learned to put the destructive critiquing aside and focus on the needs of the clients. We have gone from completely despising marketing to enjoying the process of creation and implementation of new marketing plans that our clients love.”
Lori’s revenues have increased by 280 percent per customer since working with the Denver Metro SBDC.
Lori J Photography has begun to expand its support network by becoming a part of photography groups across the world. Lori enjoys helping other blooming photographers as well. She says, “Of course everything is scary in the beginning. It is a huge leap of faith that makes you sick and overwhelmed with defeat. But it’s not this big scary thing anymore. It’s actually a work of art! The most important thing we have learned is to be consistent with marketing strategies. Getting started is the first key, without that leap the world’s inventors would not have given us electricity, cars, and computers. Consistency is also key, it’s not that we saw results right away, it took time, energy, consistency, and effort to keep the Lori J Photography business growing.
“Sticking with it has allowed us to push beyond barriers and get beyond the hatred of marketing and find the fun in getting our name out there. As the owner of Lori J Photography, I feel proud to share our hard work and efforts with Wendy and SBDC. We found results by working smarter, not harder.”