We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teddy Love a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Teddy, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Now If I can be completely honest optimism does take some time to build up especially being any type of entrepreneur. They will be times that you would just like to give up. My optimism comes from hard work and perseverance, everyone that told me “No” or didn’t fully believe in me, even the times that I didn’t believe in myself. Your mindset has to be strong enough to say to yourself “I got this” and being able to pull through. It also comes from the support that you have around you like family and friends, the ones that been in your corner since the beginning. I look at it like this whether it’s good or bad, we learn from it, and it helps mold you. Learn from your mistakes and keep pushing forward!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
It all started with a couple grand and a little ambition, well not quite, I started out with a simple point-and-shoot camera. I tell you, I took that camera any and everywhere, plus the camera was so lightweight I could just slide it into my pocket. I started out just taking pictures of friends and at parties I would go to, not knowing eventually, this would be something I fall in love with. Some years passed, and I got my first DSLR camera, a Canon T6I. I slowly learned my way around the camera and started watching videos on how to use it. A lot of my learning was self-taught (and still learning). In 2021, I made the decision to get my LLC and make TeddyLovesVisuals legit. I never thought about owning my own business, I just like taking pictures of my friends and the surrounding culture.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Communication has a lot to do with has your business is run, but knowing how to communicate effectively is key. It’s been times when some clients want to argue about prices just to get a cheaper deal. Communicate in a strong and firm manner, always give eye contact, and make sure to be professional. Something my mother always told me growing up “open your ears and shut your mouth” being a good listener has also helped me communicate properly with clients and understand what they want.
2. Be willing to learn and try new things. Don’t be a one-trick pony!
3. Always be the hardest worker in the room, challenge yourself daily
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I pray and I regroup. Running a business is hard, but running a business alone is harder. At times, I feel like my mind is going in hyper speed and I can’t slow down, I start to question myself and why do I do this. So I start off with a prayer to the Big man in the sky to lead me in the right direction. After I take all the nonsense out of my life (sometimes a social media cleanse) whatever else I’m worried about, I pray on. Then I rewrite, reorganize and regroup.
Contact Info:
- Website: Teddylovesvisuals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teddylovesvisuals/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teddylovesart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodore-love-571258275/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theodore_Lover
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/teddy.hugs.photography/
