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Founders & Friends
Founders & Friends is where interior designers and creative entrepreneurs come for real conversations about building a business—and a life—that feels good.
Hosted by a designer-turned-founder, each episode dives into honest, behind-the-scenes stories from industry leaders, creative thinkers, and bold business owners who are shaping the design world on their own terms. We talk about the big wins, the hard lessons, the financial truths, and the messy middle of entrepreneurship.
Whether you're just starting out or scaling something big, this podcast is your reminder that you're not doing it alone—and that success can look a lot of different ways.
Come for the insights, stay for the community. This is Founders & Friends—where business gets personal, and conversations get real.
Founders & Friends
29. Starting Young, Thinking Big: Lessons from Building a Photography Brand
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In this episode of Founders and Friends, Ronniesha Rivera sits down with Candice of Mark Brooke Photography to unpack what it really looks like to build a creative business from the ground up — and evolve it with intention.
Candice shares how she and her husband launched their photography business at just 21 years old, armed with little more than wedding gift money, ambition, and a willingness to figure it out as they went. What began as a wedding photography hustle quickly grew through referrals, networking, and relentless learning. Over time, their work expanded into product, real estate, and ultimately interior design photography.
After relocating from Orange County to Charleston, they made a bold decision: shut down every branch of the business and relaunch with a singular focus on interior design photography. That strategic pivot allowed them to align their work with their strengths, their joy, and their season of life.
Together, Ronniesha and Candice discuss:
- The advantages of starting a business young — and why having “less to lose” can be powerful
- What it’s really like building a business with your spouse
- How face-to-face networking still outperforms most digital marketing
- When to bootstrap — and when to strategically invest
- The importance of building a “power team” that complements your weaknesses
- Why mistakes are essential for growth
Candice’s biggest advice for new entrepreneurs?
“Just literally do it.”
Start before you feel ready. Make mistakes. Stay curious. Be a life learner.
This episode is a masterclass in reinvention, relationship-driven growth, and building a business that evolves with you.
You can find Candice at:
https://www.markbrooke.com/
https://www.instagram.com/markbrookephotography
This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design
If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business.
www.vetted-bydesign.com
https://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/
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*Only for interior designers & pro's who serve the industry