We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katie Martin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Katie, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
Optimism: “It’s the hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.”
To be honest, I’ve always been pretty optimistic my entire life, even in the bad times. I started my business when I was just 19 years old. I’ve always had support from my parent’s and I think that was the start of knowing I can be anything I want to be in this life. Especially if I put my mind to it and work hard at it.
When 2020 happened I did a big shift in my business and started to learn about the power of manifestation. I did a few phone calls with a business mentor who really helped me through the shift. She taught me to always follow “my joy.” And that I can be, do and have whatever I want in this life. I’ve manifested my home, husband, dream car and more. I think optimism goes hand in hand with manifesting. Being hopeful and confident.
I’ve always looked on the brighter side of things. If one door closes, SO many more open. Whether that’s in relationships or job transitions. EVERYTHING is working out in your favor and happening for a reason. Even if you can’t see it yet. It feels like the fundamentals of life to me to be honest.
Staying positive, hopeful and having a good mindset will get you through ANYTHING. You have to turn off the voices in your head telling you you’re not good enough, or who are you to start a business, or you don’t know anything on that topic. That voice is keeping you small and keeping you safe in what you know. It’s scared to get out of your comfort zone and try something new.
Whatever you tell yourself, positive or negative…will determine your reality and how things come back to you.
Learning all of this has helped me so much. Like I mentioned, I did a huge shift in my business a couple years ago and I now make more money than I ever have in my career and work very little. Compared to when I was working myself until burnout.
Stay positive, stay consistent and know everything is working out for the highest good, always!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve been a photographer since 2010. I used to shoot weddings, portraits (family, newborn, headshots) & boudoir. In 2020 that’s when I shifted to solely focus on boudoir. It’s what lights my soul on fire. The instant gratification both my client and I get while shooting is indescribable. Helping women see themselves differently, helping them heal and celebrating life with them is so unbelievably rewarding.
My Mom is a fashion designer and in 2020 I pitched to her we should start our own lingerie line. I was seeing some terribly made lingerie during my shoots and I knew we could make it so much better and more flattering for a wider range of body types. We launched that business (The Bradshaw Collection) in September of 2021. Which has been another rewarding business seeing women feel so comfortable and confident in our designs.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Consistency, optimism & rest.
You have to be consistent. In anything in life if you want to see results: eating good, working out, healthy marriage or building a business.
I touched a lot on being optimistic (or hopeful or using the power of manifestation). You create your own reality by the thoughts you have. You HAVE to be positive and turn off that voice in your head that’s doubting you. Which I will also tie in, be sure to share your hopes and dreams with SUPPORTIVE people. There are lots of unsupportive friends or the mean jealous sister. If someone else is putting you down – do not share things with them. Everyone is just projecting their own insecurities. That person putting you down is only jealous you’re doing something they probably have always wanted to do. Guard your dreams if you must and only share with supportive people in your life.
REST. It’s so hard as a new business owner. You want to say YES to everything, easy to overbook yourself and work 24/7. When I finally learned to rest and that I don’t have to be working all the time that was a huge game changer for me. You can honor how you feel, take a rest day or vacation with your family. Your business isn’t going to crumble. Be sure to always add in rest time because burnout is the WORST.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
You’re A Badass at Making Money – by Jen Sincero Chillprenuer & Get Rich Lucky Bitch – by Denise Duffield Thomas
The Blood Book (for females) – by Leanna Pareja and Ashley Cottrell
Don’t kill yourself reading thousands of entrepreneur books. You only need a few. These ones are game changers. You have to heal your money blocks. We all have them. Work on your relationship with money so then you can make money.
Denise’s books are all about money blocks and manifesting. Chillprenuer kinda explains itself. Her work is amazing. She’s down to earth and really helps your mindset.
The Blood Book is for women and all about our cycles and the best time we should be working, dreaming and resting.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katiemartinstudios.com www.thebradshawcollection.com
- Instagram: @katiemartinstudios @thebradshawcollection
Image Credits
Erin Blackwell & Katie Martin Studios
