Episode 188 - Community is Currency

We're back! Kira and Mary are shaking off the rust and diving into the power of community—why it matters more than ever and how to build it in both business and life. From Kira’s unexpected (and hilarious) late-night impromptu photo shoot with international artists to brainstorming how small business owners can create real, lasting client connections, this episode is packed with creative ideas.

Mary shares her thoughts on the shifting economy, how traditional marketing might not cut it this year, and why face-to-face relationships are the secret to thriving in uncertain times. Plus, hear how a “photo and wine night” could be the ultimate lead generator, why local meetups are making a comeback, and how book clubs might just be the blueprint for business success.

It’s all about showing up, building relationships, and making people feel seen—literally. Tune in now!

This episode was written and performed by Mary Fisk-Taylor and Kira Derryberry, produced by Kira Derryberry and edited by Joel North.

Transcript

GYST - 188

[00:00:00] Kira: Welcome to Get Your Shoot Together, the photographer's podcast where we discuss studio business life and keeping it all in line. I am the long lost Kira Derryberry. 

[00:00:14] Mary: And I am, blast from the past, Mary Fizz Taylor. Hey Mary. Hi Kira. Now obviously guys, Kira and I have talked, but it's been a minute since we have had the space.

[00:00:27] for the podcast. So this is we both were a little feeling a little nostalgic and a little rusty today. We'll see how it goes. I 

[00:00:34] Kira: was like, what am I supposed to say? 

[00:00:36] Mary: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You guys get it, right? Like we this between busy season, which we always took off around the holidays anyway. And then.

[00:00:45] Just a lot of overwhelming stuff. I think that we just decided we didn't have the space for the podcast for the past couple of months. And that's okay. You know, that's what happens. And that's okay. 

[00:00:56] Kira: It's called setting boundaries. 

[00:00:57] Mary: It is. It is. [00:01:00] And then, I don't know if you guys know, after an amazing Imaging USA, Kira broke her foot and had to have surgery.

[00:01:06] So, she's still recovering. 

[00:01:08] Kira: During an amazing Imaging USA, yes. Yeah, I broke my foot. Yeah. all across Facebook. Um, and yeah, and foot is, is, uh, I am, I have had surgery. I am about four weeks post op and doing quite well. And I have a lovely, um, shoe. That they've given me to wear. Um, it is, guys, it's super heinous.

[00:01:34] It's the ugliest Teva that has ever been made. It's so ugly. Um, and I'm very much looking forward to shoes. And I just keep getting served ads for shoes that I want. 

[00:01:45] Mary: Yeah, of course. I 

[00:01:47] Kira: mean, I think it's because we've been talking about feet so much, to be honest. That it's just, uh, I'm getting a lot of, um, shoe content.

[00:01:55] And my algorithm improved, so 

[00:01:57] Mary: yeah, God bless, uh, God bless [00:02:00] that, uh, that algorithm or the AI or whatever it is that's listening to us because now I'll get a lot of shoe. Now we'll all be getting shoe ads. Now you're all going to get shoe content. Yeah, that's right, shoe 

[00:02:08] Kira: content. Um, yeah, but you know, uh, everyone has been incredibly kind and helpful.

[00:02:13] Of course, you know, we don't really, um, we've got the kind of job where if you break, um, a major, uh, part of you like a foot, it's very difficult to work. Um, as you can imagine, so I am really grateful for my friends here who have stepped in and even my next door neighbor came to the studio with me and worked one day, um, just to make sure that I can, you know, continue to do my job.

[00:02:36] Um, my clients have been very understanding, just as I rescheduled a lot of stuff. That was a funny email to send people from imaging. Hey, I know we have a shoot next week, but I'm going to be having surgery on my foot. So, um, yeah, so everyone has been. And incredibly, uh, sweet and kind. Um, Amanda Hunter, Amanda Clark, Stephen Satchio, uh, Latasha Dullivan, [00:03:00] um, all came to work with me multiple times to, to help me out.

[00:03:04] And my friend Amber and Amanda, they, uh, they switched, switched off taking me to, to the, um, orthopedic surgeon. Uh, as soon as I got back from, uh, from imaging, so, um, that was an adventure. And anyway, I'm just very, very lucky to have such sweet, sweet people in my life. And of course, you and, um, and Jeff and Greg and Audrey have, um, been texting me so much.

[00:03:28] Audrey sent me the funniest, uh, care package. Do you guys know that there's a coloring book? A post foot surgery coloring book. I did not know that you can get that was the most niche coloring book I think has ever existed, but she sent me one and it was and a bunch of other really fun cute stuff and anyway Everybody has been has been.

[00:03:45] Um so great and It got me, again, grateful for, uh, the community that being a part of, just being a photographer and being a part of PPA and, and our local organizations, um, brings [00:04:00] to us, especially after, you know, a kind of, I mean, if you know, you know, a little bit of a divisive imaging, um, and, um, but to, to feel, to still feel that support and that love, It just, it just, I don't know, it reinforces why we do this, right?

[00:04:16] Absolutely. What do we go through? What do we go through these things? No, absolutely. 

[00:04:21] Mary: Yeah, absolutely. It's, it's so true. I mean, um, yeah, and I, gratefully I haven't had to go through what you've been going through with the, with the whole foot, but I mean, just the whole, you know, just the whole, um, idea that we have that community we can reach out to or to help each other out or.

[00:04:39] Lift each other up or whatever it is. And, and yeah, I mean, we're not going to go into it because it's over. Thank goodness. But, you know, leading up from Thanksgiving on, you know, there was just a lot of, a lot of stuff, right? Like I would say, starting in November all the way through, it's just been a little bit of a bumpy ride.

[00:04:55] You know, it's kind of, I don't know. It's felt like a little bit like a, yeah, just [00:05:00] a yeah. Roller coaster. So, um, I think we all were just trying to get through. But gosh, you know, it was really cool amidst any of the negativity or any of the other stuff, whether you saw it or didn't that was out there.

[00:05:12] There was always that core group that was just always there to be positive. Jump in and defend when needed and lifted lift each other up. So that always makes me so proud this group. 

[00:05:24] Kira: Yeah, absolutely Well, there's a I have a recommendation. I have a movie. We're actually a documentary Recommendation that I think kind of like I don't know reinforces this idea But also makes you want to do more to build community.

[00:05:37] There's a documentary called join or die It's on Netflix Um, and the documentary is about this Harvard, I believe a Harvard professor who he wrote a book called Bowling Alone in the 90s, and, uh, it was about this shift this that he was seeing, um, in people wanting to be a part [00:06:00] of community and how leadership is It comes from these small community things.

[00:06:05] So, just like, when you see bowling, when you see somebody bowling alone, like, just a guy bowling at a bowling alley. Bowling alleys used to be, uh, intensely popular, obviously. Yeah. I mean, they, people, uh, everyone was in a league. And we're talking in, like, the, the 50s, you know. Like, everyone's in a bowling league.

[00:06:23] Um, it's a Friday night, it's a Saturday night, it's every night of the week. Bowling alleys don't make their money on, um, On bowling, they make their money on concessions, right? Like, they make their money on the food. So, when people stopped joining teams, bowling teams, right? And this is just one example.

[00:06:40] This is an example for the book. Um, when they stopped joining leagues and teams, and you start to see people bowling by themselves, well, then the bowling alleys start to go out of business. Right? Because it's not that people aren't bowling anymore. It's that they're not, that they're bowling individually, you know.

[00:06:57] And we've all, I've been to bowling alleys before where you see that one [00:07:00] guy. He's just, he's just up there practicing. He's up just, just doing off some steam bowling by himself. I think you've seen it. You know, you go for a one off party once a year with some friends. And you bowl and you're like, there's all the one guys, you know, down the lanes.

[00:07:12] Um, so the bowling alleys start to go out of business. And so this is like. What he noticed during the nineties that he said is a, um, indicator of the future that the decline of this is going to show the decline of people wanting to be a part of a community and a group 

[00:07:35] Mary: in the 

[00:07:35] Kira: future. And he's absolutely right.

[00:07:38] It's not because of the bowling alley thing. That is just one. Result of what's happening, right? And he was just saying, we're going to see this increase and increase in our leadership that we get in the future is not going to be based on people who came through their rotary or their, you know, their civic organizations or their, their junior leagues or their whatever, you know, whatever, [00:08:00] whatever small community clubs, garden clubs, whatever, that people were part of, they won't have any experience Working with a group for a common cause or for, um, you know, a common good or for, you know, just a mission that they all work for and our leaders won't be trained in in in working in a team like that anymore.

[00:08:22] And then we will start to get leader leadership that is does not have team experience. And it's interesting. I mean, I'm not trying to get political here, but it is interesting because I think when we think about our, our associations and the decline of our local associations, when it comes to our photography community, where I remember when I joined in there, there was a massive, they were, they were experiencing a massive decline and this was over 10 years ago and they were like, Okay.

[00:08:50] You know, really putting the hard sell on me then, like, why won't you join our club? Like, you should join FPP, you know, we're a family or whatever. And I was just very resistant to it. Um, [00:09:00] just because of youth. I don't know. I don't know why it was, you know, because they were coming out. They were a little coming on a little strong.

[00:09:05] Yeah, coming in hot, coming in hot, coming in hot. And I didn't know what I was doing and or therefore or anything. And so I was finding getting my bearings, you know, I wasn't sure if I wanted to put my, my energy and effort into it. And I'm glad that I did, of course. And now we have an even bigger decline over a decade later in the, in those associations and everyone's going, well, what do we need to do to get new members?

[00:09:26] What do we need to do to convince people to join? And it's like, you're, you're dealing with an entirely different audience who has never been a part of. That type of community building that yeah, small group club. Um, anyway, so it's a fascinating documentary It doesn't it doesn't offer solutions, but it does motivate you to see like what could I do?

[00:09:47] To rebuild community in small things and the examples are you know? That meetup company right like the company that is meetup. So the guy who made meetup[00:10:00] 

[00:10:01] And he was like, okay, he's like, okay, so what can I do as a software engineer or whatever, you know? And he's like, okay, I'm going to build out this product where people can find community about anything they want. But the caveat is, is they have to have regular meetings. They have to make sure that they meet on a regular basis, right?

[00:10:18] It can't just be pop ups. And so Meetup was created by this guy because, because of, him reading that book and thinking, what, how can I, how can I make a difference? How can I help rebuild community? And so I, anyway, I just think it's fascinating. I think if you're a part of any of the leadership and, and these are local associations, I think it's a great watch, even if you watched it with other.

[00:10:41] Members of your leadership in your groups, um, and talked about it. I just think it's, I think it's great. We're, we're watching it on the board actually this year. Um, and gonna have a little talk about it, um, at PPA and, um, yeah, as part of our, you know, leadership training and anyway, highly [00:11:00] recommend. The book is called Bowling Alone, which I have not read, but I have watched the documentary called Join or Die, which is on Netflix.

[00:11:09] Mary: Um, yeah, so, um, sorry, there goes Rookie. Um, yeah, text, I'm getting ready to podcast. So everybody decides now's a good time to come downstairs. Uh, sorry about that, guys. Um, yeah, I'm looking this up. I'm going to have to like, I'm going to have to like put a, um, put a, put a thing on there to remember this book.

[00:11:27] Because my memory is like Are 

[00:11:29] Kira: you going to read the book or are you going to watch the doc? Well, I 

[00:11:31] Mary: probably will do both. Knowing me, maybe, I don't know. I'm trying to see if Bowling Alone is even still in print. It is. 

[00:11:39] Kira: It's an older book. 

[00:11:39] Mary: Yeah, it is. It is. It's from 2001. So, interesting. That is interesting.

[00:11:45] And of course, you know, obviously, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, You know, and still very active in my state association, certainly long gone on the PPA board. But, you know, it is, it is, it is something. And, you know, I was just trying to think, how does that relate? So, so what I, [00:12:00] when you were talking about that, this is what just popped into my mind.

[00:12:03] So let's, so bear with me because Buckle up. Let's see what happens here. Welcome back. Exactly. So, so I think that's just genius, you know, and honestly, I didn't know about meetup. So I just actually looked that up when we were talking as well. That's something I didn't know about and I just pulled it up and just.

[00:12:21] Gosh, in my area, just looking at all the opportunities to meet up. So question being, let's talk about it from a small business perspective, and I'm going to be very transparent right now. I've had the worst January and February that I've ever had in business. Now, full disclosure, I've been traveling a ton.

[00:12:38] I have been two weeks in Mexico. I have been traveling a lot, so I knew it was going to be slow, um, and some of it was by design and some of it, and so I was prepared for that. But just really weird. And I'm going to be also, I'm, I'm a little nervous just because of all of the talk that's going on around us about.[00:13:00] 

[00:13:00] And, you know, and pretty any, any analyst you speak to, you know, across the world, not in the, not just in the U. S. by the way, as a matter of fact, Ronan and I just had this conversation last week. They're, they're really calling for a world economic, you know, recession and it happens, you know, it's what is it every so many years and we're in that cycle and okay, that doesn't mean.

[00:13:23] That we're all just, you know, shudder the, you know, shudder it up and be gone. Now, hopefully, we've been smart with our business. We're doing things with profit first. We're, you know, we're prepared, um, for maybe a little bit of a leaner year. I mean, I am kind of anticipating that, not sure, but falling into this idea of community.

[00:13:43] What in our business could we do with that type of logic? And what I mean is, is like us as small creative businesses, we do stuff, right? Like, for example, Kira, you're becoming like, you know, a chat GPT expert or, you know, um, [00:14:00] us, you know, teaching, you know, how to paint. What if, what are there, are there things that we could do with our small business?

[00:14:07] In our community to invite people in to be a part of a group, then that somehow could also the, I guess the end result could be that you're either, you're either encouraging existing clients to be more loyal or getting new clients in the door. Am I making sense? Like, could we do like some kind of meetups with what we do in our business that we could create this?

[00:14:35] community that would make people more loyal to us or notice us for a different reason. If they're not noticing the three million emails I'm sending out or posts I'm making about whatever I'm doing this month or whatever is happening in the studio, would something, what else could I do that might get their attention then that would hook them in?

[00:14:53] Does that make sense? 

[00:14:54] Kira: I mean, maybe a partnership with, with a club or community that speaks to them. [00:15:00] You know what I mean? Or, I mean, we talked about this before. Yeah. Building out a community of like minded, um, vendors that all share clientele. You know, so we did talk, we've talked about that, of course, I, you know, started that move.

[00:15:14] You did it, didn't you? Didn't you start? 

[00:15:15] Mary: Yeah. Yeah. But then the holidays hit and I need to kind of, I need, and I forget, and this is, I'm a, I, and then I forget and I need to revisit that. So I'm making a note right now. Like I forgot, we actually said we got to get through the holidays and we were going to revisit, you know, kind of hit it a little bit harder.

[00:15:29] So now that we're back early spring is when we said we were going to rejoin. So that's a good, but that is kind of the same thing, like minded vendors creating something. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I guess what I'm saying is like, there's just got to be a way that if you become that person in your community that is getting people together, I think about like Robin Thompson, right?

[00:15:49] Like I wish she is in Texas and she just moved her studio back to her smaller hometown. I know that she's always out there in those groups and always trying to create opportunities for [00:16:00] people to come and gather. And I wonder specifically now. Where people, it's a little bit harder to break stuff through the noise of, you know, digital marketing, if that would be an easier way to get people's attention.

[00:16:18] I don't know if there's an idea here. I mean, I'm just thinking like, I don't know. Yeah, like, you know, and maybe it's something as simple as, you know, um, of, um, uh, if you're all, you know, if everybody like I'm very in right now, as you know, into the let them. You know, with Mel Robbins. Like, I'm very involved in that.

[00:16:36] Like, I would love to have a community of people that I could sit with. You know, once a month or get whatever and talk about this book because it's just opening my brain and my mind is so many things and it's just speaks to me right now. So heavily. It's like I'm really enjoying that. But or if it's, you know, um, you know how to take better pictures with you could how to take better pictures with your cell phone and you invite people into your [00:17:00] space.

[00:17:00] But then maybe next month. Another vendor is how to make a really nice, you know, floral arrangement and they're the local florist or Take care. Um, you know, trends that are going to be happening, you know, how to get, I've always wanted to get my colors done like that seems to be something, you know, maybe there's somebody in your town that's really good with that or, you know, how to do a really quick makeover in your home if you have an interior decorator designer.

[00:17:24] So maybe leaning back into that original idea. I think that's a really good idea of calling back out, reaching out to those like minded vendors or partners, but creating. Community gatherings with it. Like, I do think people want that. That's why, all of a sudden, I was reading something, I don't know if it was in the Wall Street Journal, New York, anyway, about book clubs are bigger than ever.

[00:17:44] And they become like places where like, dating book, like, you know, single meetups with book club, like, book clubs are huge right now, because people want that ability at least once a month, or so, every so many weeks, to get together with other people and talk [00:18:00] about something like minded. Exactly. Yeah. So, why can't we create that with our little business?

[00:18:08] Like become the We could. Become the like, become the cornerstone of it that people go, oh yeah, Kira the Airy Berry man, she's got so much community outreach. Like they're doing this and they're doing that and she's hosting this and it's a wine tasting with the Italian restaurant next door, you know, whatever it is.

[00:18:26] Um, I don't know. Like, I think that would be such a really positive, feel good way. And I think because things are a little bit heavy right now, at least for me, like, ever since November, like, things have just been heavy in a lot of different spaces. Not just, I'm not talking about just the economy. or even politics, just friends going through really rough times and just, you know, um, business being a little bit more challenging than I'm used to, just a lot of stuff, right?

[00:18:52] Seeing friends hurting. And so I like, I'm like, okay, it's almost spring. Let's like, let's, let's awaken. Let's like get out there and [00:19:00] start on a really positive note, because I can't be the only one feeling this heaviness. I think a lot of us are. So if it could be something that was like social and joyful and I don't know, but also again, using it a little bit like a soft marketing or at least a soft branding.

[00:19:18] type of approach. 

[00:19:19] Kira: I don't know. I, you made me think of something. Okay. So I did something that was kind of, um, impulsive and I think that there's, there's a, there's a connector here. Okay. I wasn't going to tell you that I did it, but I'm going to tell you. I like it. Well, I wasn't going to tell anybody. Um, so, so the other night.

[00:19:36] Okay. So, so first off, you made me think of like, what if I, what if it with my business, I'm thinking about what I like to do, what I know that a lot of my clients have, have done while they're here and with me and, and, um, how, how could I bring them all together to, to do this more frequently? 

[00:19:51] Mary: Yeah. 

[00:19:51] Kira: The other night on fat Tuesday.

[00:19:54] Um, I, um, I had an event earlier that day, and I went and had happy hour next door with a friend of mine, [00:20:00] and we walked over, we hobbled over, you hobbled 

[00:20:03] Mary: over, 

[00:20:04] Kira: to the bar next door, um, called Blue Tavern, which is this blues bar, and it's this little New Orleans style, like hole in the wall, very unassuming, but it's It's Fat Tuesday and they were doing a little back alley, um, um, band behind the building and everything.

[00:20:19] And it was just the sweetest, cutest, most uplifting thing. And while I was there, I met all of these, um, doctoral or doctoral PhD students and artists that were here from the French Caribbean. They were here from Martinique and Barbados, and some of them were from London and New York. And they were, um, They were here for an art symposium at FSU, and so they were beautiful people, highly educated, fantastic artists, and they were there to have a good time because they were visiting the United States, and it was Fat Tuesday, and it was like a, you know, whatever.

[00:20:53] So, remember, we're two doors down from my studio, and so, um, the, we, I hang out there. You know, [00:21:00] with them and meet them and they were because there were all these artists and it was so like good to be around that kind of passion. Yeah, I mean, for art, like not, it was a different vibe because they were from, they were all from all from all over the Caribbean in the world.

[00:21:14] And anyway, and, um, and, and so full of energy and excitement about art because they were literally here for a symposium, like an art symposium to talk about that. Yeah. And so, um, Joseph are. My friend and bartender at the restaurant next door, I came back and got him when he got off work and I was like, you have to come back over here and meet these people.

[00:21:33] And so he came back with me. We hung out with them later. They were like, if you guys are local, like, where else can we go? Because that bar was closing. And so I was like, Joseph's like, okay, well, we can walk, walk to the next block and there's another bar open. So we take them there. We get them pizza. We take them to a final bar that's open for like one more hour.

[00:21:50] They all they all have drinks and they're just The sweetest, kindest, most awesome people, and most of them speak French, and they're translating for us, like, so, you know, [00:22:00] and, uh, anyway, it's 3 a. m. at this point, or 2. 30, because the bar had closed, and they were like, oh, yeah, we've got to go, and there's nothing open, and I was like, well, you guys can just come to the studio, and, like, let me take your picture.

[00:22:11] Mary: And Kira, who never wants the party to end, absolutely. I 

[00:22:15] Kira: never want the party to end. Joseph and I purchased, Beverages from the bar that was closing and just brought him over here and I took, I took pictures of all of them, me and Joseph took pictures of all of them, like, and we just had, it was, I have a gallery I'll show you, it's so cute, they're so cute.

[00:22:31] Anyway, they, the The joy that you see, I mean, it was a late night, you know what I mean? But they, but how happy they were and how, how much they loved each other. They were part of this big community and how much they loved each other was like, just, just coming through these photos, you know, and when I go back and I look at them, I like, I'll probably never see any of them again, you know, but they were also grateful and sweet about it.

[00:22:56] And it made me think. I mean, it was one [00:23:00] of those things where I was like, I'm not going to say anything about it because it was like one of those like experiences that was so like, you right moment, right time, kind of thing, you know, and I was super injured and I've been cooped up. So it was really nice for me to get out and meet people.

[00:23:12] You know, you know how I hate meeting new people. You hate it because 

[00:23:15] Mary: you're terrible. You're so shy. I love 

[00:23:17] Kira: meeting new people. I hate meeting new people. I know. You would have been, if you were with me, you would have been like, okay, Kira, calm down. You've got it. Let them go and do whatever. No, but no, we were, we just like, we just made them are me and Joseph just made them our group.

[00:23:32] And so anyway, what if now this is not the same, but what if because of the community that they built together and how they were out to have this good time together or whatever. What if, what if just in a smaller way, have you seen where people do those, um, there's been like a, like a, it's a viral post where people have like, here's a, here's a portrait with one drink glass of wine, and then here's a portrait with two glasses of wine, and here's a portrait with three glasses of wine, you know, and, and they just get progressively like their [00:24:00] faces relax, and they just, not that drinking is drinking, is.

[00:24:02] That's not the answer, but, um, their faces just get, they get comfortable. Their shoulders drop. They whatever, you know? So what if, um, what if we did like a photo and wine night and invited, like, I did like a wine tasting with like, you know, at a, at Bella Bella, you know, that 

[00:24:20] Mary: are down for that. Like it's not for everybody.

[00:24:21] Yeah. It's 

[00:24:22] Kira: not for everybody. But what if you did a photo of wine night? What if I set up a little photo booth? To do like a little fun. I love that little fun strip portrait of like one glass, two glass, three if, if three, three glass. 

[00:24:35] Mary: Yeah, 

[00:24:35] Kira: right. Yeah. Little glass and then had it little tiny glass, just a little Sid, you know, and, and, but had it be like a fun get together of like kind of community building within Yeah.

[00:24:47] You know, different people that are in your clientele and you bring them together. They have the common denominator if they're your clients, but they probably also have a lot of other common denominators. Right. Because they're my clients because. I probably got them because of their comic characters [00:25:00] with each other.

[00:25:00] Right. And so, like, what if we did something like that? 

[00:25:06] Mary: I love that idea. That 

[00:25:07] Kira: was a wine and photo, um, 

[00:25:10] Mary: Yeah. 

[00:25:11] Kira: Social night. 

[00:25:12] Mary: Yeah. And, and, and, and it could be with wine and, and maybe the other is something else. Like, it doesn't have to be like, you know, but I like that idea because that's easy and it's social.

[00:25:21] And most of my clients, like, they're wine, they love, they're all winos. Like we do. Wine tastings are always popular and I haven't done one in so long that that's actually a fantastic idea and I like that idea because then it's really kind of something really fun. You can hashtag it. It's something you can put out in the community.

[00:25:38] It's something that people, you know, go, Oh, we need to do that. Or it could create a little bit of a trend just in your little area. I have not seen those Like Online so I've missed that somehow in my it was a while 

[00:25:50] Kira: ago And it was just like some photographer did a little like with a group of friends, you know And it was just like like really just like almost like mugshot style like they're on a white background Yeah They're just standing up against the [00:26:00] wall and it's just a very like put together like smile And then one glass in they're loosened up a little bit Maybe their hair's up still, and then by glass three, like, hair's down.

[00:26:08] Yeah. You know, like, it's just a little sillier. Yeah. One button's unbuttoned, 

[00:26:13] Mary: you got your tie off, whatever it is. Yeah, you 

[00:26:15] Kira: know, you're just kind of loosening up, you know, and um, um, but they could all, while those photos are being done, you know, they could all be hanging out. It could be a, you know, it could be a couple hour event.

[00:26:27] Mary: I like that idea a lot, and it's, and it's just a good way to. Get community building and I, I don't know and I could be completely off here, but it's interesting that this is the path that went down because this is not at all what we thought we were going to talk about, but, um, imagine that, but the thing that I, you know, bringing that up, I just feel like I feel, I do believe it.

[00:26:50] And again, guys, my background, I can't help it. My mind, I really am like political science and all that stuff. I still am like halfway obsessed with. It's just was such a big part of my life for so [00:27:00] long. I can't help it. And I really do believe that, you know, it's going to be a little bit harder this year to maybe You know, um, keep someone's attention or to make what you do a priority, but I do always believe that relationship building, community building, those, those relationships are going to stand the test of time.

[00:27:19] So we just need to do a better job. It's not like, Oh, I'm not being a good, I'm not, I don't care how hard you market right now or how many sales funnels you run or how much you run through chat, GBT, what you should do and how many specials I don't think it's going to hit as hard as if you could create a small.

[00:27:35] Group and start building those relationships out because you do one of those fun wine parties and make it some fun naming you do one. And then there's another group that wants to do one and then another group. And then now your little circles just getting bigger and bigger. And I do think that those type of relationships are going to keep our businesses.

[00:27:54] Not just surviving, but potentially even thriving, because I think that putting our time and [00:28:00] energy into that could actually make a huge difference. And at some point you could tie a charity in, you could do, I mean, there's lots of good things we can do, um, in our groups, you know, and if, you know, it could be with your church group, it could be with the women's club, it could be with your child's school or, you know, you know, there's a lot of things.

[00:28:17] I mean, we're all at a little different phases in our lives, right? So. You know, that's not where I am, but you know, I certainly can think of like off the top of my head for other vendors. I'm like, hey, let's do this. This will be fun. Um, um, you know, and yeah, 

[00:28:33] Kira: you know with you can think of like it doesn't have to be wine But like it could be a it could be some sort of tasting event Like I mean i'm lucky to be positioned right next door to a really great restaurant who loves to collaborate with me So i'm i'm already spinning here thinking like I just need to take as soon as i'm off this call I'm gonna text joseph and be like, what do you think about this?

[00:28:49] Yeah And see if we could set up, they have a whole lounge area, we could just host it in there and we could combine our clientele. Like they would advertise it, I would advertise it, and then, [00:29:00] you know, you could make it a 

[00:29:01] Mary: phone riser, you could make it a, um, you know, bring a can of food, you could make it bring, you know, you could make whatever.

[00:29:06] And also, if you don't want to do wine, you could do it with a pet charity. And this is when they got here and this is after they loved on a dog or cat. Like, you know, like you do change. I mean, I mean, pets do make us smile and make you happy. Maybe not dogs for you, but if it was a cat, you'd be very happy.

[00:29:22] Like, look at that kitty cat. That would make you smile, you know? So it could be what you could tie it into that type of thing, you know? Or, um, so this doesn't just have to, it doesn't have to be wine, obviously. It could be lots of things, things that bring us joy automatically and how our, how we change when that happens.

[00:29:39] I think that's really, really cool. I can't believe I missed that. Like, I like that idea so much. Like I kind of want to do it like with my friends. I wish we all lived closer so we could do one and then we would all do it. I think we can all do it. Yeah. 

[00:29:51] Kira: What if we just did like fun? I just sent you the link, Mary, so you can see it, but like fun black and white Transcribed Portraits and what if that we put them [00:30:00] up in the in the lounge in there?

[00:30:02] what if what if that became like I printed them and I did a little gallery wall of like photo and wine like 

[00:30:09] Mary: Oh Kira, these are so good I love these I would put the they look like a cop like make it look like a contact sheet Like this is so cool You'll have to share it on our page. 

[00:30:22] Kira: I'll share it on our page, but just so you guys can see, they are the sweetest people.

[00:30:26] They were the nicest, kindest, and the most brilliant, amazing artists. In fact, I'm so glad I didn't look them up before, when I met them. Because when I looked them up afterwards, I was like, Oh God, these were like real people. These were like real artists. 

[00:30:37] Mary: Yeah, they're not here to play. No, no, 

[00:30:40] Kira: no, they were not flown in here from Martinique and Barbados and other places.

[00:30:45] And France. Oh, there were several of them from France. Oh, wow. Um, they were, um, Oh, my gosh, they were so much fun. Look at all they had the little beads on and everything. It was so cool. 

[00:30:55] Mary: Yeah, I love them. I forgot it was Mardi Gras. I think I was on a boat. I was on a [00:31:00] cruise. I'm already growling. Yeah, 

[00:31:01] Kira: yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:31:02] So, so anyway, uh, you know, I like it. I like this a lot. As always, we're just like, meh. And then we, we start talking and we're like, Hey, I just came up with a really brilliant idea. I just came up with a 

[00:31:17] Mary: brilliant idea. I mean, it'd be, I mean, is it a coincidence that I haven't had a lot of really new, refreshing ideas?

[00:31:22] And I think this brings us almost like a little full circle moment. But, like, when we're not talking to each other, like in our little groups, When you're by yourself, you're just tunneled in and you're doing the best you can and you're going through the motions and we're trying. We really are trying, but it's when we can get collaborate with people, whether it's an imaging or state convention or a meetup group.

[00:31:42] If you have a camera club in your area or whatever it is, um, or some of the people do online, they get they hop online and have coffee. Um, once a week or so many times a month, that's where the great ideas come from, because then you can actually talk to somebody who's in the same, essentially the same boat you're in and you can [00:32:00] collaborate on what will and won't work or like, I have an idea and then you like go, yeah, okay, but hold on, let me, let me wrap it around for you because I didn't have, I had half an idea, not a whole idea.

[00:32:11] Yeah, 

[00:32:11] Kira: yeah, yeah. I love that. And sometimes it takes like the long way around. Like, I mean, I started telling you about what, when I honestly, I felt a little guilty about, because I stayed out super late. I mean, you know, of course, with my friend Joseph, who is super safe, and always has me. And we, but Joseph and I, it was because we like wanted to like make sure they had a great, I don't know, it was something I was feeling a little patriotic, to be honest.

[00:32:37] I was like, I want them to, I want them to have a good experience. I want them to have fun here, you know, and because none of them were from here. And you know, there's so much going on. That's so scary. And, um, and, and so we, we did, we just took the, we just put our little host hats on and we hosted them and.

[00:32:53] Yeah. I had to tell you that whole story to get 

[00:32:56] Mary: here, 

[00:32:58] Kira: to get here, which is, I think maybe a [00:33:00] good idea. 

[00:33:00] Mary: I love it. I absolutely love it. I think that it could catch on. I mean, think about it, guys. I mean, people, people become millionaires overnight because they figure out a really good algorithm or they figure out a really good affiliate link, or they feel it, figure out something online.

[00:33:17] They do a great video. They become literally millionaires overnight. That's happening more and more. Today than ever before, right? It's just it's just is, um, that's not going to probably be me, right? Like that's not my wheelhouse. I'm not I'm not comfortable on camera. I can't imagine doing that. However, what if you found something tiny like that that you did in your little Corner of the world, right?

[00:33:37] You're in your community that made you all I want to do is be viral viral here I just want people in Richmond to seek out what I do, right? I don't need it to be beyond that I'd be very happy for it to be right here So creating something like that or hearing us talk about this today and going yeah, no, but I could do this That's what this is all about and that's what I think what we want you [00:34:00] know because what works for me doesn't necessarily work for Kira versus Vice versa, whatever, but there's always that idea in there somewhere, you know, like here's going to do it's going to be different than me, but that core idea of just being in community and relationship building.

[00:34:14] And I've given this a lot of thought. And I really do think that that's how my studio anyway, is going to whether the whatever's coming up. Whether it happens or not, I have not been doing enough of that community building lately, you know, I've been really good I've like I've got all the I've got all the digital certificates I've got certified in everything you can imagine learning about digital marketing and I feel like I've somewhat mastered it today And I could all change tomorrow, but I've really kind of lost touch with being out and getting out in the community.

[00:34:46] I've really been bad about that. You're way better about that than me. If nothing else, just because of the magazine, it kind of forces you to go out a lot to be at the right, like it does. Yeah, 

[00:34:57] Kira: it does. And, but I have to force myself to do that too. [00:35:00] You know what I mean? Like, cause sometimes I'm just like, Oh, you know, every, I don't know, but okay.

[00:35:05] Can I, I know, I know we're done talking about it, but can I talk about what one more thing I just thought of like with this, with this idea, please. What if you packaged it for so that your clients, like your higher end clients could host this at their own home and everybody gets like a metal, like a square metal of it.

[00:35:27] Right. And you're there to like, make sure it takes off. But it basically it's like a, it's a party at. Like somebody's home with their friend group. 

[00:35:35] Mary: Yes, yes. That they could, 

[00:35:37] Kira: that they could. Because see, I've done this with my Wanderlust friends. Like we've done these with, you know, with our, on our, our trips with our girlfriends.

[00:35:43] But like, what if we did it basically at these homes and we brought in the wine, you know, like we brought in the whole package or whatever, you know. And then like, it's a flat rate and it comes with these items. 

[00:35:56] Mary: I love that idea. It could be a girl's night. It could be a neighborhood [00:36:00] progressive dinner night.

[00:36:01] It could be whatever they do in their little communities. You know, after a golf game or tennis, you know, it could be whatever like I'm thinking of my ideal clients like you said that make 10 names came up like, oh, they need, you know, each little pocket that I want to be in and they invite their best friends, you know, their neighborhood friends, which are I have a good shot with right like that's a that's kind of a yeah, yeah, they bring 

[00:36:23] Kira: their like their neighbors their friends over It's a it's it's networking for you and it's getting your work in front of them You're offering them something if they want to book a session for the holidays Like what if it's a package?

[00:36:36] I mean, I think that I think it has to have a cost associated with it because you're basically Oh, yes 

[00:36:42] Mary: Yeah, you're doing like a little yeah, like a pop up kind of party at their house and it's a whatever, you know, like Oh my gosh. Yeah. 

[00:36:51] Kira: Maybe you partner with an event planner. 

[00:36:52] Mary: Maybe. You know what I mean?

[00:36:53] Yeah. 

[00:36:54] Kira: Maybe, maybe, you know, they were doing those pop up picnics. Yeah. Like that are like super she she, you know, like [00:37:00] whatever. Maybe you do, maybe there's a, maybe there's a partnership that you can do with an event planner or a mobile bartender or, you know what I mean? Like there's. Yep. I think there's maybe a lot of opportunity here.

[00:37:12] I like that. I was thinking like, does it get too chaotic at a restaurant? You know what I mean? Yeah, that's true. That's 

[00:37:17] Mary: true. 

[00:37:18] Kira: You know, can you, do you have a, an audience, a direct, an audience that's like really paying attention? Yeah. You know what I mean? Like when you're at a restaurant, because people are talking, whatever, I can imagine like standing up on a chair and being like, okay, everybody, we're gonna do this thing now, you know, but if you had more of a Very targeted audience.

[00:37:36] Mary: Very, yeah. 

[00:37:39] Kira: I mean, you could, if you did it at the restaurant, you could do a paid event. You know, where they pay a ticket that goes to a charity, you know, whatever. And then that way, at least, you've got a targeted audience that has a little bit of a buy in. It's not just a walk up off the street. I think you definitely don't want it to be, I think you want it to be invite by some way.

[00:37:54] Agree. Right? But, if you could somehow form these [00:38:00] into, like, in home, you know, you bring a little in home studio. Yes. 

[00:38:04] Mary: It's simple. I like just I love that. It's just simple white background. Just, you know, like, you know, it doesn't have to be fancy, um, now I just, 

[00:38:12] Kira: you could use, you could use, uh, the level up a level up.

[00:38:15] So yeah, 

[00:38:17] Mary: if you're not familiar, look it up. Um, that would actually be perfect. Wouldn't it? Um, that just continuous light and just get them in and out. And, um, that would be amazing. Um, and I just thought about why wouldn't I go to, if you're members of any, Yeah. Clubs or anything like that. Like, why wouldn't I go to my country club and say, hey, would y'all like to host this night for members?

[00:38:37] Um, To give me access to like, because they do little events, you know, like little events with other vendors, like with other members that are small business owners, this is something I could say, hey, it's new menu coming out in spring. It's the new menu night. You're going to do tastings and wine and I can do pictures and we can make it a fun thing and we can even Again, I'm okay tying it to a charity and that money gets [00:39:00] donated because I'm getting access to the people I want access to.

[00:39:05] Um, so if you're a member of those little groups. Yeah. It's 

[00:39:09] Kira: super charging, um, your booking for later in the year. Like, if you could do it during spring and summer, could you go ahead and book out your fall? 

[00:39:16] Mary: Right. Right. Or you do it in spring and you book your summer, especially if you summers when you're doing your beach portraits or whatever.

[00:39:22] And guys, if you're a high school senior, I'm thinking now I'm like high school senior photographers, get your models and see if they would host a fun night. And again, maybe it's something, you know, I don't know, like there's lots of little things that it could be, but you get all the kids together and you do the little, obviously it wouldn't be with alcohol.

[00:39:39] That would be ridiculous, but it's something else that, you know, yeah. Um, that would make, that you could do that little one, two, three progression with. I think 

[00:39:48] Kira: you could transform, you could transform this into a lot of things. Yeah. You know, I also think it doesn't, it's one of the things that we, we, I don't do a lot of sales.

[00:39:57] Mary: Right. 

[00:39:58] Kira: This is not a sale. Like I think [00:40:00] people think they've got to do specials and they've got to mark when they do their marketing. It's always going to be on sale on sale on sale or this is discounted right package. This is not doing that No, this is a whole other product. This is a whole other idea and it's a lead generator It is what it is.

[00:40:15] Mary: This is the people that stand at costco that hand out the free sample This is that for it's a free sample, right? It's a little sample to a targeted audience Because that's the key. Now, you're not going to go just do this at a kiosk in the mall, right? Like, this is a very targeted audience, a very, um, a very curated list that's invited, uh, one of your best clients asking them to invite their 10 best friends that live in that neighborhood.

[00:40:37] Like, it has to be curated in that respect. I am perfectly okay with, that is a marketing expense for me. If I go in and I have to donate 10 small medals to each person, and I take an evening out of my life, I'm gonna convert one of those people to become my client. My numbers are pretty good. One of those people, because I'm gonna, are gonna be incentivized enough to come and have a family portrait [00:41:00] created.

[00:41:00] That's all I need. I only need one like you like that's what we need, you know So, you know depending on your brand and where your business is it might be a little bit different But for me, I only need to convert one person and it's all worthwhile to me. Um, i'm just loving this idea so much Now my brain is going crazy but again If you are if you are this could be a headshot party if you have a corporation that you work with or you have you know if you wanted to do something like that for professionals or it could be If you're going to be in a headshot 

[00:41:31] Kira: party, it is kind of a headshot party, no matter what it is, you know, I mean, but 

[00:41:34] Mary: it could be high school seniors.

[00:41:35] It could be children. It could. There's lots of things this could be. So yeah, open your brain and share ideas. This is a really, this is kind of cool. And it makes it's a feel good thing. And again, in a time where things are a little bit heavier than I'd like for them to be, I think, you know, connecting with people, people and building relationships, going back to how this all started.

[00:41:55] I think that's going to make all of us happier. You know, I think that makes it lighter, [00:42:00] and I do think that that could be a differentiator for our business thriving this year versus just surviving. That's kind of my thought process on that. I like it. Yeah. 

[00:42:11] Kira: Let's do it. 

[00:42:12] Mary: All right. Good. We're going 

[00:42:13] Kira: to do that.

[00:42:13] Let's 

[00:42:13] Mary: go. 

[00:42:14] Kira: We're going to go. And I am going to, I will post these pictures. They are adorable. They are adorable. They're the sweetest people. Um, and we had so much fun. And, um, all right. Well, I guess, um, yeah. Okay. We'll talk about that. I say the next time.

[00:42:31] Mary: If you happen to be in New Hampshire, I will be speaking in New Hampshire, March 21st. Actually, Jamie's doing a posing and lighting class and I'm doing a digital marketing class in Concord, New Hampshire for the in New Hampshire PPA. So I've got that. And of course, I think there's one spot left in my Texas school class.

[00:42:51] What about yours? 

[00:42:53] Kira: I do not know. I assume that there are spots left in my class. I'm doing a pre con, which is [00:43:00] Saturday. So, um, if you're getting in, come in a little bit early. If you haven't signed up for a pre con yet, I would love to teach you all about Chad GPT. Um, so that is coming up this Saturday. I'm flying in.

[00:43:10] Friday night, I'm doing the Saturday, and then I'm out on Sunday. So see you. I won't even you, do you wanna touch me? I'm just breezing in. Yep. Breezing in, out. I don't get in until 

[00:43:18] Mary: Sunday morning. I have what? I have a wedding on Saturday. 

[00:43:23] Kira: Oh. We need to plan these things for my chosen son is get 

[00:43:25] Mary: Garrett's getting married.

[00:43:26] So I chosen son. Oh, Garrett's wedding. Okay. Well I'll give you, 

[00:43:29] Kira: I'll give you a buy on that one. Um, I'm also gonna be in, uh. Uh, Illinois this summer, um, in July. I will post or talk about dates on that later when I can remember that. Yeah. And I am going to do another, right now we're in the middle of our six week workshop, and I'm going to do another one, date to be announced.

[00:43:46] So, um, everything's, everything's coming up, chat GPT for me lately. Yeah, 

[00:43:52] Mary: yeah, and we'll post about, we'll try to get this stuff posted on the, on the Facebook page. So check that out if you're not already on there. You can go to, well, you're going to tell them, you'll tell them where to [00:44:00] go. I'll be quiet. 

[00:44:01] Kira: I'm going to tell you guys that you can find out all this information and eventually, uh, when you follow us on Instagram at Get Your Shoe Together, you can follow us on Facebook at Get Your Shoe Together.

[00:44:10] You can email us at girl at GetYourShoeTogether. com and subscribe to us wherever podcasts are played. We will see you guys next time. Thanks y'all. 

[00:44:18] Transcribed