Winning an award for my images is at all times an enormous buzz. But successful this award for operating a profitable enterprise felt completely different. Earlier this month, I used to be named Chesterfield Sole Trader of the… | Helen Rowan Pictures

Winning an award for my images is at all times an enormous buzz. But successful this award for operating a profitable enterprise felt completely different.

Earlier this month, I used to be named Chesterfield Sole Trader of the Year. And whereas I’ve received awards earlier than, this was the primary time I’d been recognised for my images enterprise, not simply my images expertise.

Being a extremely good photographer would not robotically imply you will have a profitable images enterprise. They’re two utterly completely different ability units.

Learning images felt comparatively simple(ish). I may practise, experiment, make errors and see myself enhancing over time.

Building a enterprise has been far much less predictable.

It’s meant studying the right way to market myself, perceive my clients, make troublesome selections, adapt when issues aren’t working and take myself severely as a enterprise proprietor.

And I believe that final half is especially important for girls operating their very own companies.

There’s nonetheless a bent for feminine micro companies, notably artistic ones, to be seen as a ardour venture or one thing we do across the edges of household life.

These are actual companies. They help different companies, help households and contribute to our native financial system.

I nonetheless have a lot to study. I have to hold evolving, adapting to what my clients want. I’m lucky to have some wonderful individuals round me who assist me really feel courageous sufficient to maintain pushing ahead.

It’s been a wild experience, however I’m so pleased to nonetheless be right here and am excited for the long run.

I’ve written extra about why successful Sole Trader of the Year meant a lot to me a weblog put up. I’ll add the hyperlink beneath.

(occasion photograph by James Larkin)

Photos within the weblog with occasion sponsor Natalie Burkinshaw of CRUSH
and my pretty buddy who was additionally shortlisted Annie Littlewood