From Biology Lab to Wedding Photographer: Kiarra Stommes' Entrepreneurial Journey

From Biology Lab to Wedding Photographer: Kiarra Stommes' Entrepreneurial Journey

Takeaways * Turning a creative passion into a full-time business requires persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. * Success in photography is about much more than taking photos. Client communication, marketing, editing, and systems matter just as much. * Community and networking can create opportunities that would never happen otherwise. * Creative entrepreneurs often work far beyond traditional business hours. * Growth comes from continually learning, evolving, and improving your craft. In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly sit down with Kiarra Stommes, owner of Kiarra Rae Photography [https://kiarraraephotography.com/], to discuss her journey from studying biology and working in a laboratory to building a successful photography business. Kiarra shares how a camera purchase with her brother unexpectedly opened the door to a career in photography after her cousin invited her to assist with client sessions and weddings. What started as a hobby quickly became a side business, eventually growing into a full-time career. The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, including managing clients, marketing, editing, systems, and balancing the many responsibilities that come with running a creative business. Kiarra also discusses her documentary-style photography approach, the importance of authentic client relationships, and why she values community over competition. Whether you're a photographer, creative professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers practical insights into building a business around something you genuinely love. Key Topics Covered: * Kiarra's transition from biology graduate to photographer * Learning photography through mentorship * Building Kiarra Rae Photography * Going from side hustle to full-time entrepreneur * Wedding photography and client experience * Documentary-style photography * Managing business operations behind the scenes * Setting boundaries as a business owner * The importance of networking and referrals * Community versus competition in creative industries * Lessons learned from entrepreneurship * Growth, mentorship, and continuous learning Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative [https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/] Behance: https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative [https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative] Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]

Why Q4 Winners Are Actually Decided in July

Download the Checklist: https://moxiecreative.com/blog/why-q4-winners-make-their-moves-in-july/ [https://moxiecreative.com/blog/why-q4-winners-make-their-moves-in-july/] Takeaways * Q4 success doesn't start in October — it starts in summer. Businesses that wait until fall to launch campaigns, redesign websites, or start digital ads are setting themselves up for missed opportunities and under-optimized results. * Digital marketing takes time to work. Ads need weeks to optimize, websites take two to four months to build, and competitive research doesn't happen overnight. The earlier you start, the stronger your results. * Summer is the perfect window to audit the first half of your year — what worked, what didn't, and what you never got around to. A clear mid-year review sets you up for a focused, momentum-building second half. Summary of the episode Every fall, businesses panic. Leads dry up, the year is almost over, and suddenly everyone wants a new website, a digital ad campaign, and a full rebrand — by January 1st. In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly of Moxie Creative break down why that Q4 scramble is almost always avoidable, and why the businesses that consistently crush the fourth quarter started planning months earlier than you'd expect. The conversation starts with a very Minnesota observation: business owners check out in the summer. They go to the cabin, they soak up the short warm season, and marketing gets pushed to the back burner. But while you're on vacation, your marketing can't be. Taylor and Kelly explain that by the time September rolls around, there simply isn't enough runway to launch and optimize a campaign that will produce real results before the year ends. Kelly walks through the practical timeline. Digital ad campaigns need two to three months to gather data and optimize. Websites take four months or more from start to launch. If your goal is to be visible and converting in October, you need to be in conversations with your agency in June or July — not Labor Day. The team at Moxie Creative isn't just order-takers; they do competitive analysis, strategy, and consultation before a single ad goes live. That process takes time, and it's the process that makes the difference. The episode closes with a concrete action step: Moxie has published a free mid-year checklist at moxiecreative.com [http://moxiecreative.com] that walks you through reviewing what worked in the first half of the year and identifying your one or two biggest priorities for the second half. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to start. Key Topics Covered: * Why Q4 marketing success is determined in the summer, not the fall * The real timeline for digital ad campaigns, website builds, and brand initiatives * How the "summer slowdown" mentality hurts small business marketing results * What it means to work with a full-service agency vs. an order-taker * How to use a mid-year marketing audit to set priorities for Q3 and Q4 * Moxie Creative's free mid-year marketing checklist and how to use it * Why starting before you know exactly what you want still puts you ahead Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]

Why Finding the Right Career Fit Changes Everything with Laura Hartog of Bad Habit Brewing

Takeaways * Career alignment matters more than staying comfortable * Growth often starts when you allow yourself to explore change * Strong businesses survive by staying connected to community What happens when the career path you've spent years building no longer feels right? In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly sit down with Laura Hartog, Managing Director of Bad Habit Brewing Company, to discuss career pivots, burnout, leadership, workplace culture, and building businesses centered around community. Laura shares how she transitioned from a long career in marketing and education into brewery leadership, what pushed her to make a difficult career change, and how finding the right fit professionally transformed both her work and personal life. The conversation also dives into what makes Bad Habit Brewing successful in an increasingly competitive craft beverage market, why community matters more than product alone, and what modern leadership really looks like. Key Topics Covered: * Career pivots and recognizing misalignment * Burnout and protecting your mental health * Leadership lessons from managing teams * Building businesses around community * Marketing and branding in craft beverage industries * How Bad Habit Brewing is evolving in a changing market * Creating company cultures people genuinely love Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative [https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/] Behance: https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative [https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative] Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]

What Really Happens When You Hire a Marketing Agency

Takeaways * Why free discovery meetings are critical to building better marketing strategies * How great agencies uncover what clients actually need versus what they think they need * Why trust and communication are the foundation of successful client partnerships When people think about marketing agencies, they often picture logos, websites, social media posts, and creative campaigns. But behind every creative decision is something much bigger: strategy. In this episode, Taylor and Kelly pull back the curtain on what actually happens when someone reaches out to work with a marketing agency. From discovery calls and first meetings to proposals and long-term partnerships, they explain why great marketing starts with understanding people, business goals, and solving the right problems. They also tackle common misconceptions about agencies, explain why pricing is rarely one-size-fits-all, and share what small business owners should really expect when exploring a marketing partnership. Key Topics Covered: * What happens during a first marketing agency meeting * Why agencies need strategy before quoting pricing * Common misconceptions about agency partnerships * Why trust matters more than tactics * The proposal and onboarding process * How agencies uncover what businesses actually need Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative [https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/] Behance: https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative [https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative] Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]

Building Community Through Hospitality and Historic Spaces with Casey Austin

Takeaways * Career pivots can lead to opportunities that feel more aligned than the original plan. * Community involvement and networking create unexpected professional opportunities. * Foley Mansion is redefining event experiences by blending history, hospitality, and memorable moments. Summary of the Episode In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly sit down with Casey Austin, Director of Operations at Foley Mansion, to talk about career transitions, community connection, and creating unforgettable experiences. Casey shares her unconventional career journey from earning a degree in early childhood education and teaching preschool to working in banking, nonprofit leadership, and ultimately stepping into her current role leading one of Central Minnesota’s most unique event venues. They dive into the fascinating history behind Foley Mansion, the restoration of the historic property after a devastating fire, and how Casey is helping shape the next chapter of the venue through events, hospitality, and community engagement. The conversation also explores the importance of networking, embracing unexpected opportunities, and having the courage to take the next step even when the path forward feels uncertain. Key Topics Covered: * Casey Austin’s career journey and unexpected pivots * Lessons learned from teaching and community leadership * The history and restoration of Foley Mansion * Building a hospitality experience people remember * Why networking and chamber involvement matter * Career growth through relationships and referrals * Hosting unforgettable events and experiences * Advice for navigating career transitions Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative [https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/] Behance: https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative [https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative] Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]