We were lucky to catch up with Mandy Penn recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mandy, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
If you would have asked anyone 5 years ago they would have told you I was not confident and was very low on myself. I never did it for attention, I truly believed that was just who I was and who I would always be- fast forward two years from that and I embarked on a new found appreciation for what you tel yourself is what you believe. I find time to tell myself the things I am and the things I want to be and in ways that ultimately help me to believe and know they are true. Your mindset and what you tell yourself every second of every day truly matter and because of all the work I have done on myself, I can truly say I am more confident and have a much higher self esteem than ever in my life.
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?
Hi, I’m Mandy! I am an award-winning newborn and family professional photographer serving families in Colorado Springs. I believe that photos are meant for more than just social media, they’re meant to be cherished and passed down through generations and to be looked at every day on our walls! I am a huge FRIENDS fan and actually have a replica of the Central Perk couch at my photography studio. I am a boutique photographer which ultimately means I put experience above anything and make sure that every step from 1 to 10 is covered and I like to take a stress and pain out of may photography sessions. In February I actually published a book, entitled “The Hands They Were Dealt”. In The Hands They Were Dealt you will find a compelling collection that will take you on an intimate journey through the narratives of 14 resilient souls. Within these pages of the inspiring anthology are emotionally charged tales of triumph over adversity that create a tapestry of strength and resilience. These are courageous people who have faced life’s traumas head-on. Their unfiltered anecdotes reveal the complexities of heartbreak, loss, addiction and abuse. As you read each chapter, you will see them beautifully interwoven with expressive art which illustrates the emotions and experiences of the authors. I am so excited because that is the first of MANY volumes of The Hands They Were Dealt. I am excited to be able to give people a platform to tell what they have overcome and how it has helped them through their life and actually turned that experience into a hopeful one. What makes this book so special is that I actually took each authors portrait but in different ways and so each of my authors has an image depicting their story you will read. So all of the images in the book were taken and put together by me. To get a copy of the book you can go here: https://thehandstheyweredealt.com.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think having a mentor is one thing that is a non-negotiable. Mentors have been through what you have gone through and will ultimately go through. Surrounding yourself with people who do things better than you is a great way to make yourself better and to get to where you want to be. I highly suggest finding someone you can confide in and even pay to mentor you through those beginning steps of your business journey. As far as qualities go, being teachable and accepting criticism is always great because it will help you grow at strides that most people can only dream of. being able to help yourself by taking peoples opinions (with a grain of salt) and actually turning those into learning experiences is the most amazing thing. I also believe that being approachable and friendly will get you places most thing will not. Being able to give your time to businesses and non-profits will come back to you ten fold, swing this I never go into something expecting something in return. I just know when you are giving back, it finds a way to give back to you in the long run.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Grant Cardona wrote a book (one of many) but my favorite is The 10X Rule. The 10x Rule says that you should set targets for yourself that are 10X greater than what you believe you can achieve and that you should take actions that are 10X greater than what you believe are necessary to achieve your goals. The biggest mistake most people make in life is not setting goals high enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mandypenn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandypennphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandypennphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-penn/
- Other: The Hands They Were Dealt Website: https://thehandstheyweredealt.com
