I help small business owners navigate challenges, refine strategies, and achieve growth.
I graduated from The San Francisco Art Institute with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography, studying under renowned photographers such as Ansel Adams and Sally Mann. I went on to build a highly successful portrait and event photography business. At its peak, my business had six employees with full HR benefits and structured policies. My fine art background shaped my approach to portraiture, where light, color, body language, and composition came together to tell authentic stories. Understanding my clientele’s needs and creating fine art presentations to enhance their homes was key to my success.
Beyond the creative aspects, I’ve always enjoyed the structure and strategy behind running a business—building policies, systems, and processes that support growth. In addition to my photography career, I have experience in restaurant operations, property development, and rental management. I have also served on several nonprofit boards in roles such as Strategic Planning, Facilities Master Plan, and Board Chair.
Mentoring has been a natural part of my journey, from guiding employees to supporting emerging photographers. I enjoy helping others navigate the complexities of business and giving back by sharing my experience and insights.

I can help with:

1. Business Strategy and Systems
• Building Structure: Understanding the importance of creating solid business foundations, like setting up proper policies, procedures, and clear communication channels.
• Scaling: How to scale your business, such as managing a growing team, organizing workflows, and implementing HR systems.
• Financial Management: Guidance on setting budgets, understanding cash flow, and managing resources effectively, which are key areas for small businesses to navigate.
• Marketing and Branding: Help building your own brands through storytelling, photography, or visual branding strategies.
2. Creative Guidance
• Photography/Visual Branding: Using photography to enhance your marketing materials and brand identity with visually compelling content.
• Content Creation: Creating engaging content, be it through photography, video, or written narratives, that connects with your target audience.
3. Mentoring in Leadership and Employee Development
• Team Building: Help fostering a positive and productive work culture, particularly for small businesses where every team member plays a vital role.
• Employee Development: Share techniques for mentoring and helping employees grow and to develop your own systems for employee retention and satisfaction.
4. Customer Relations and Sales
• Understanding Clients: Building relationships with customers and identifying their needs.
• Sales Strategy: Help create a sales process that feels authentic and natural, rather than "salesy," leveraging the relationships they build through genuine understanding.
5. Personal Branding
• Self-Reflection and Growth: Guide in understanding your personal brand and how it aligns with your business vision, values, and goals. My background in fine art and entrepreneurship gives me a unique perspective on blending personal passion with professional success.
• Work-Life Balance: Having worked across diverse industries, I can help small business owners balance their personal and professional lives, sharing strategies for staying grounded and preventing burnout.
6. Networking and Community Building
• Help understanding the value of giving back, networking through community involvement, and creating meaningful relationships in both business and local communities.
• Building a Support System: Encourage mentees to create networks of like-minded business owners, and share resources to grow their businesses together.