The Successful Dilettante
January 20, 2007 - Issue 14 - ISSN 1935-4886
Editor: Susan Henderson, coach@susanhenderson.com
Visit our website at: http://www.susanhenderson.com
The Successful Dilettante, published on the 5th and 20th of each month, is sent only to those who have subscribed to it - or was forwarded to you by someone you know. I value your privacy and never share my mailing list with anyone. If a copy has been sent to you by a friend or colleague and you wish to receive your own copies, you may subscribe by visiting: http://www.susanhenderson.com/newsletter.html.
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Greetings!
I hope this finds you healthy, wealthy and wise. A warm welcome to both old and new subscribers alike. Again, I thank you for sharing this ezine with your friends, family. and colleagues. Even though I have yet to hear from many of you, the growth of this subscriber list affirms that there are many of us sharing the challenges and rewards of creating a sustaining and satisfying life as persons with an inate curiousity and love of exploring many interests. My invitation is always open to you to contact me with questions, suggestions, or to share your challenges and successes. I am still looking for guests to interview for upcoming issues. Now is your chance to share your story or let me know of someone you feel fits the profile of a "successful dilettante." Email me: coach@susanhenderson.com
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What Would Xena Do?
I saw this on a bumper sticker a couple of years ago when I was in the process of making yet another move and major change in my life. It was perfect timing. For those readers who are not familar with Xena: Warrior Princess, the television series (1995-2001) was a historical fantasy set in ancient Greece. The main character Xena played by Lucy Lawless (a fitting name itself) is a "reformed warlord on a quest to redeem her past sins." She is strong, confident, brave and fiercely beautiful.
I must admit that I have never actually seen an episode, however, I was aware of the show and it's cult status popularity. Xena had become a synomyn for "tough, warrior-like women." In 1999 when I lived in Homer, Alaska, my neighbors had a wonderfully feisty little female cat named Xena who visited me often and displayed fearless confidence. Or maybe I just thought she did because of her name.
So, when I saw this bumper sticker I had one of those Aha moments and was suffused with the delighted realization that we can all have our own version of our inner Xena: Warrior Princess (or Prince) to call on in times requiring our bravest, most courageous self. Like times when we need to get unstuck; or times when we need the courage to take a risk and start our own business; or times when we have reached a major crossroads in life and must make a decision or reach out for further help on how to proceed. What character represents your bravest, most audacious self? Have fun with this.
I have prepared a more in depth article on this subject and process which I would like to offer it to you for fr.ee. But there is a catch. I need your help. As I mentioned in the last issue of this ezine, I am in the process of creating products (some fr.ee and some for a fee) to assist you in obtaining your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). In order to give you the stuff you most want, I need feedback from you on what would be most helpful to you. You can always email me directly, but I want this process to be easy, quick and painless for you so I am developing a survey that will require only about five minutes (at most) of your time and a few mouse-clicks of energy. In exchange I will send you the article. Watch for the announcement email containing the survey link later today. By the way, Xena told me to do this.
Hugs,
Susan
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Featured Guest: Jared Silver
Today's guest was referred to me by successful dilettante, Tammy Cook, who was my featured guest in Issue 11, Dec. 5, 2006. Jared "Straight Shooter" Silver lives in the Chicago area and is a successful commercial photographer who has joyfully added comprehensive marketing services for small business clients to his portfolio career. He has created a rich multi-textured life for himself and loves what he does. This interview tells it all so let's jump right in.
SH: Jared, how did you come to live the life you enjoy today?
JS: At age 12, I began my photography business. Providing portrait services to families, I earned enough money to support my photography (and later on motorcycle) "hobby." At age 16, I was old enough to have a "real" job, so began working weekends and after school as a bicycle mechanic. With College just around the corner, my Dad explained that I needed to pay half of my tuition if I intended... to attend. I wanted to study fine art and psychology, as those were my two favorite subjects in high school. So, I continued my two part-time businesses (photographer and mechanic) and eventually added a "real" job as a shop manager all the way through college.
When I was 25 and married with our first child on the way, I felt I'd come to a fork in the road. It seemed necessary to me that I pursue either the retail business full time OR photography full time. I liked my employer, but I just couldn't see myself being happy 10 or 20 years down the road in a "job" – of any kind.
Entrepreneur was not the buzzword back then that it is today... but that is what I wanted to be. So, I thanked my employer and moved on to launch my full time photography business. With 13 years of photography experience, my technical skill level had advanced considerably. I decided that commercial advertising photography was the challenge I wished to pursue. My wife, Faith, was supportive of my decision. So, after our son Jamie was born, she kept her full time office job as I began transitioning from "general" photographer (portraits, weddings, event coverage) to the more technical specialty of commercial shooter for ad agencies, product manufacturers, and service businesses. And, we starved. Not really. But it was harder to sell my photo services to companies than individuals. Plus most of my competitors were in their 40's to late 50's while I was a 25 year old "kid." Eventually, I proved myself and over the next 20+ year worked for a plethora of big name companies and advertising agencies.
SH: Did you always know you would be happiest doing a multitude of things? How did you go from commercial photographer to marketing specialist?
JS: As I child I had a multitude of interests, and career-wise – during my photography days – I noticed that I seem to have more business clients than the ad agency clients which seemed to be the norm amongst my commercial shooter peers. I came to realize that I enjoyed providing more than just high-end photography services to my business clients. I was providing little pieces of their marketing strategies and some graphic design concepts for their print advertising. They were asking my opinions about which logo I thought worked better, which headline I felt would pull a better response rate. And I was really getting into it. I began doing some graphic design projects and working with my small business clients to help develop entire advertising campaigns. I wanted to help assure the money they paid me helped them earn more money for their business.
Then in 1995, I attended my first marketing "super-conference" presented by Jay Abraham who is still one of the biggest names in marketing world-wide. I attended that intense 12-hour per day, 3-day event with the intention of learning how to better market my photography business. But what
happened was I found myself standing at another one of those forks in the road--I knew I needed to evolve my business into comprehensive marketing services for small business owners. Well, duh! I loved every aspect of it. And, I was already doing it with a handful of my clients. I just hadn't formalized it.
SH: So then how did you transition those multiple interests into a meaningful career?
JS: Very good question Susan. It was a challenge because we humans tend to pigeonhole, file away, categorize people we know and meet into specialties. For example: Susan the Life Coach; Bob the Dentist. It's how we make sense of the world and the people in "our" world. I knew where I wanted to go with my career a dozen years ago. It was clear as crystal to me but I was also aware of how other people (my clients) could only see me as an advertising photographer. I knew that it would be a challenge for me to re-position myself in their minds as a marketing specialist.
SH: Ahh, I see. Turning your multiple interests into a meaningful career wasn't so much about getting the correct mindset for yourself as it was creating the "right mindset" for your current clients – the people who already knew you.
JS: Bingo! In other words, it was a marketing challenge. And, since I was about to re-invent myself as a marketing specialist, it seemed like an appropriate challenge!
SH: Can you tell me who your clients are today and how you help them?
JS: Sure. As a commercial photographer I worked in a small area of advertising for small to large companies. As a marketing specialist to small business owners I'm working with people to help them turn their dreams into reality. And I love it!
Right now, I'm working with the creator of a natural cosmetics company. I'm also working with several pubic speaker/trainer experts in various industries to brand their unique information products (books, video dvds, interactive websites, etc.) to sell to create additional streams of income!
Because I saw a serious need for all professionals and entrepreneurs to have a professional publicity portrait for use in all their marketing materials, I've re-entered the world of commercial photography and digital retouching, with a service called Executive Portrait Specialists. Before you can sell your product or service, you must first sell yourself. I learned that a BIG problem preventing people from getting this essential piece of visual marketing is that most folks just don't like having their picture taken. So I solved that problem by creating a proprietary service that makes the whole process fun... and guarantees that you will like the results! So far we've photographed over 700 people with 100% satisfaction.
SH: Amazing! I've run into a number of people who really need a good publicity portrait. Before we move on, do you any other irons in the fire that you can share with us?
JS: Well, one more that I can start talking about. I've begun the creation of a series of digital photography, "How To" video DVDs. They're a great alternative to studying those thick training manuals. Just pick and click to something that you want to learn, and watch it. We're a screen watching culture.
SH: So, how do you manage your busy day? Do you make a plan?
JS: I was very fortunate as a kid still in high school when my Dad, a professional sales trainer, taught me how to keep a daily to–do list. Today, that list is in a PDA, which I update at the beginning and end of each day. With the amount of "stuff" that I do on a day-to-day basis, I wouldn't survive without a daily schedule.
SH: And do you finish everything on your list everyday?
JS: No way! I'm lucky if I finish one-third. And they are my highest priority items. What I don't finish I simply copy and paste to the next day. Completing everything doesn't matter-- it's about staying somewhat "in-tune" with the rest of the world when your own mind is going in 27 different directions at 100 mph...everyday. It's also about perception--being seen as a reliable businessman who always follows through on his promises. It's great to have multiple interests and directions – but the perception to other people can be that you're not serious about what you do. So yes, keeping a very tight, yet completely flexible schedule is a key factor for me to function day-to-day. And of course, that's where a life coach can help... right?
SH: Absolutely! Have you had any mentors or people who have influenced you?
JS: Thomas Edison, David Ogilvy, Jay Abraham, Robert Allen, Wayne Dyer, Denis Waitley, Zig Ziglar, and my own father, just to name a few... and all but the first two, I've had the pleasure to know or at least meet.
SH: What tips or advice can you share with our readers?
JS: Get out of your comfort zone on a regular basis by doing things that are totally unrelated to your career. Take up a new hobby, read a book or magazine that you would normaly NEVER pick up. Looking at the world from a totally different vantage point – through other people's eyes – is a great way to stir up your creative juices no matter who you are or what you do career-wise!
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To learn more about Jared "Strait Shooter" Silver and his marketing business, Straight Shooter and Associates, visit his website at: http://www.jaredsilverstraightshooter.com. He offers some free special reports and an online presentation on how you can boost your marketing today.
Also, don't miss a fascinating visit to Executive Portrait Specialists at: http://www.EPSportraits.com where you can see examples of his professional portrait photography and digital retouching. It is truly amazing. You do not have to live in the Chicago area to take advantage of the digital retouching service as he can work with an existing copyright free portrait. He also offers a free report on how to dress for a really great portrait.
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If you would like to learn more about if and how Susan Henderson Coaching might be able to help you achieve your desired results, please contact me to set up a time to talk. We will start with a complimentary phone conversation where I can learn more about you, your current situation and goals. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about me, how I work with clients, and the coaching process. If we both feel the coaching relationship is a good fit, we will move on from there.
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