My Life in the Sun

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Honouring Female Entrepreneurs on International Women’s Day

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For International Women’s Day I would like to honour female entrepreneurs everywhere, who take the risk of leaving stable jobs, to follow their dreams. Who have to work incredibly long days and use every skill they have to make it happen. Who often risk financial security and use their own savings to follow their dreams. You are incredibly brave and I respect all of you immensely! One woman in particular comes to my mind, when I think of successful, intelligent female entrepreneurs: Nicole Lapierre.

Halifax_Wedding_Photography-1Nicole left a full-time job to follow her dream and start her own business: Nicole Lapierre Portrait Photography and with her husband Teddy: Nicole & Teddy Wedding Photography. She has been very successful and her portraits are gorgeous! Nicole also spend a lot of time taking portraits of other local business owners, connected to the wedding industry, and showcasing them on her blog, in a segment called Industry Friends.

I have noticed that Nicole often shares information about and recommends other small businesses, in our city. I think this is wonderful because it is so important for small business owners to support each other! I couldn’t recommend a more positive, talented and supportive person for your photography needs. I asked Nicole a few questions about her start as an entrepreneur.

1) What inspired you to start your own business?
I had been working the same office job for 10 years, and although it helped me pay off my student loan debt, and make our first house purchase, it just wasn’t my passion.  I wanted to get up everyday and truly love what I did, be creative, and have what I did make a difference.  With women’s portraits, I have that opportunity, because I get to spend several hours with the women that come into my studio, make them up, dress them up, and capture both their inner and physical beauty.  I have always loved the thought of working for myself, and I loved photography, so I thought I would combine the two and start my own portrait and wedding photography business.

 

2) Does entrepreneurship run in your family?
Oddly enough, it doesn’t.  I come from a military family, as did my mother, but I always knew deep down that running my own show was going to make me happy.

 

Nicole Lapierre Portrait Photography
3) What is the best thing about running your own business?
There is nothing more liberating than being able to make your own schedule, and then execute it at your own pace.  Leaving my office job was the best thing that I could have ever done, and not a day goes by that I am not trying to convince someone to follow their heart, and make their own jump.

 

4) Did any other women in particular inspire you to become an entrepreneur?
There was a photographer that I followed, and still follow, her name is Jasmine Star.  5 years ago, she was giving a talk in Boston, and I just had to go.  So, my family made a trip out of it, I was able to listen to her talk, meet her in person, and have a discussion.  It was that moment, literally, that the fire inside of me was ignited.  I went full steam ahead from that moment on, and I haven’t looked back.

 

5) What advice would you give to women who want to start their own business?
Understandably, leaving a secure day job can seem like a very tough decision, filled with endless uncertainty. All that in mind, I still cannot stress enough, that once you make the decision in your mind, there will be no stopping you. There is more to life than a steady income. You cannot grow as a person, if you are not living up to your full potential, and nothing makes you more driven, than knowing you are the one who has to make it happen for yourself in order to be successful.

 

TwitterBanner2Celebrate with us!

Join Staples Canada to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 7th and 8th by visiting your  local Staples store. Each store will be showcasing local entrepreneurs making a difference in their communities. Enjoy and save at these events with a 10% savings coupon.

Remember Staples Canada has everything a business needs to succeed. Discover how Staples products and services can help support your business needs throughout these events .

Tweet with Us!

Join us for #MoreBizWomen Chat at 1 pm EST Mar. 4th to celebrate #womeninbiz. Win biz memberships and $250 @StaplesCanada gift card #ad

 Join our tweet chat live using http://twubs.com/morebizwomen and you have the chance to win 5 Business Memberships, $250 and $100 Staples Gift Card!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Women in Biz Network, however all opinions are my own!

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