Poverty to Photography

Statistics Say I should have Failed

As a child I grew up being poor and experienced many difficult living situations. One of the worst situations was when I almost failed in elementary school because I couldn’t go to school due to being homeless and losing all of my personal possessions. Sadly, I couldn’t read until I reached the 6th grade. Later I had to start working to help support my family at the age of 12. I was able to do this because I was in the You Are a CEO pilot program in middle school. Although this might seem like a tragic story to some, this is actually where I was made strong. I understand today that your life experiences and facing hard situations make you who you are. You can choose to look at them for the bad and retreat or you can face the fear and turn the situation around with the right thoughts and actions to allow the experiences to help you grow. I am who I am today through all the successes, struggles, and life decisions I personally made. I've learned that regardless of my past, my future is up to me. And so your life is up to you. Be a CEO and run the business of you!

The concept of You Are a CEO is About Self-Leadership

My CEO Moment came when I was dating someone and hoped our relationship would progress. I firmly knew the life I wanted to live, and he decided that my vision of our life together was not the direction he wanted to go. It broke my heart, but I had to be true to myself and break it off because I cared way to much about my values and the commitments I had made to my friends and family. I cared so much about him and wanted a life with him, but I knew that I could not let my emotions get in the way of making this decision. I was able to execute the right action based on both of our values and realizing certain non-negotiables. In my head it was the logical choice rather than have a problematic relationship. But in my heart, it was the hardest decision because I wanted to have love in my life, but fundamental conflicting beliefs will only bring conflict. Thank you You Are a CEO. I avoided a potential lifetime of conflicts in the relationship.

CEO Success Club Achievements

One of the greatest achievements I have made was leaving a full-time job at Kaiser to do a full-time business as a photographer. Although I was very thankful for having a job a Kaiser, but I was not happy going into work every day knowing my passion was really to become an entrepreneur and photographer. I had a lot of people telling me that I couldn’t be successful at it and that I wouldn’t bring in enough money to support myself, but I knew I could do it because I already was experienced as an entrepreneur in my teens. These experiences along with the help of others and the mindset to succeed gave me courage and confidence and today I am doing what I love every day. It's a joy to get up and go to work. It's not a job it's my passion and I love the life I am living. I see my business and my life as a great success. I personally use the You Are A CEO philosophy in my everyday life and in my business. When it comes to goal setting, personal awareness, building relationships, time management, etc. I have training to tackle these areas and I navigate life easier than others. These are just a few of the workshops and courses I have taken. I tell people go to the events and you will learn how it works. There is just too much to mention. I’ve personally come across many fellow entrepreneurs in the same wedding industry as me and many of them ask for my thoughts and question me about how I go about my business. I point them to You Are a CEO but do often share it is the mindset, a fearless mental state of empowerment you have to have. You can’t have a mind set for the moment or the week or the month, it has to be continual. To power yourself up you need the input of fuel and motivation and I get that from the CEO Success Club. I have learned you have to always improve yourself, before your business can grow. You must master yourself to lead others to follow you. If something doesn’t work out, try it in another way, don't get discouraged but fight. If find yourself down on your luck, ask for help from those you know care who can lift you up and encourage you to keep going. Find quality coaches and mentors who believe in you and your work and will lend a hand when needed. Don't try to do it all alone that's what friend and family are for. Lastly, if you have goals make sure they are realistic and achievable and in everything you do make sure you have a positive attitude and a grateful heart. With that mindset you can accomplish anything.