First and foremost I hate cotton candy . . in life and in education.
Pivoting my business over and over again has forced me to have to cut through the BS in order to get to the heart of what restarting a business looks like. As a former art professor turned photographer I never dreamed of owning a business. But as an Army wife I learned quickly that my career path would look differently than others. I had to find a way to balance the art with solid income, despite always moving. Out of that experience, I created the first photography education site to help others move their business not matter what market circumstances they were facing. I became obsessed with helping creatives develop a flexible and efficient business model that enables them to thrive in the market they are in or the market they want to be in.
“Before Meredith's direction, we were in a major booking slump after a period of doing almost nothing to actively market our business. We had no direction and didn't know what to do to connect with people. The step by step process she gave us was priority-based and so easy to follow! We were able to complete each task and then move on to the next one, winning more successes each time we checked something off the list. She gave us loving but firm constructive criticism, and told us exactly what wasn't working and exactly how to fix it.
“Meredith, thank you SO much for all of the practical tips you've given us for marketing to our area! Before Meredith's direction, we were in a major booking slump after a period of doing almost nothing to actively market our business. We had no direction and didn't know what to do to connect with people. Within one week of applying what we learned, we had a Google business listing, new reviews from past clients, improved SEO, and great opportunities with vendors, which have begun to bring us leads again! The step by step process she gave us was priority-based and so easy to follow! We were able to complete each task and then move on to the next one, winning more successes each time we checked something off the list. The vendors in my area can often be closed off rather than being community-based, and I had zero success in the past whenever I tried to connect with them to bring each other leads. What I learned from Meredith got me a meeting with almost every vendor we contacted. Once we met them, they were the ones who suggested wanting to work with us in the future, and they started spreading the word about our business before we even asked!
One of the biggest things we learned from Meredith was that our website at the time was un-functional and needed a lot of work. She gave us loving but firm constructive criticism, and told us exactly what wasn't working and exactly how to fix it. We made all the changes she suggested, and the next time we met with a vendor, they raved about our website and how much it made them want to work with us! Not only do we now have many vendor connections who want to work with us on styled shoots and future weddings, they’re also sharing about our business to their leads and giving out our business cards! They're doing our marketing for us, and we're beginning to get new leads again after a long booking slump! No success is overnight, but these practical things were easy to apply to our business, and they really work! We went from almost being broke to making $13,000 in three months after working with Meredith “
– CHRIS SOSA
Not only do we now have many vendor connections who want to work with us . . . they’re also sharing about our business to their leads! They're doing our marketing for us, and we're beginning to get new leads again after a long booking slump! We went from almost being broke to making $13,000 in three months after working with Meredith"
– CHRIS SOSA
"I've relocated with the military, made every cringe-worthy mistake in the books, and restarted from personal failure so many times it isn't even funny... then, along came my fairy godmother, Meredith! Like her business title suggests, she truly is a specialist in the field of maintaining a thriving career despite unconventional challenges. Because she has been in my shoes- the constant "new girl"- her encouragement is meaningful, and constructive (not just comforting). One area in which she especially excels, is her ability to hear my problem, provide incredibly resourceful solutions, and
"I've relocated with the military, made every cringe-worthy mistake in the books, and restarted from personal failure so many times it isn't even funny... then, along came my fairy godmother, Meredith! Like her business title suggests, she truly is a specialist in the field of maintaining a thriving career despite unconventional challenges. Because she has been in my shoes- the constant "new girl"- her encouragement is meaningful, and constructive (not just comforting). One area in which she especially excels, is her ability to hear my problem, provide incredibly resourceful solutions, and a concise, attainable plan to achieve that solution. There is nothing more empowering for me as an entrepreneur than the clarity The Restart Specialist has given me in understanding the "why" behind each business move I make, how to make those plans come straight from a genuine heart, why I brand and market the way I do, the confidence to set rules and boundaries, how to take my life back, and how to direct my business rather than letting it direct me. I dread to think where my personal and professional life would be without Meredith's wisdom, and generosity with her expertise. I love knowing that no matter where I am sent, the invaluable education Meredith has provided ensures that I'll never truly have to restart again!"
– KATIE ALLRED
a concise, attainable plan to achieve that solution. There is nothing more empowering for me as an entrepreneur than the clarity The Restart Specialist has given me . . . I dread to think where my personal and professional life would be without Meredith's wisdom, and generosity with her expertise. I love knowing that no matter where I am sent, the invaluable education Meredith has provided ensures that I'll never truly have to restart again!"
– KATIE ALLRED