10 Year Anniversary

According to Google 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, 30% of small business fail in their second year, and 50% of small businesses fail after five years in business. Finally, 70% of small business owners fail in their 10th year in business.

I have come a long way y’all!

Today I am celebrating 10 years in the photography business and it feels amazing! I came from being a server & bartender at Applebees making $30K a year to a entrepreneur and photographer making 6 figures a year! I have been through so much y’all but I am sure I can give a quick recap or at least I hope I can. I normally give you a recap of my year at the beginning of each year but this year is a special year so let’s recap all 10 years.

In 10 years a lot happened so pay attention.

-I lost my mom- This was tough and almost broke me. I stopped all communications with God because I was angry. I blamed him for taking my mother and it wasn’t until I was praying for my son one day that I realized I had so much to be thankful for and began to stop being angry with God and understood. I am glad I was strong but even more happy God forgives and he forgave me for being angry with him. I almost lost my faith. I’m okay now y’all.

-Moved to Georgia - I was stubborn and would not listen to my family about not moving down here alone but I am glad I did not listen because I truly believe this move is the reason I am who I am today.

-Got married- That was interesting. It was a courthouse wedding with no one present except the two of us and my son. It was honestly sad. I never admitted this before (because I couldn’t let anyone know they might be right about me making a mistake) but I was so unhappy that day. I didn’t want a wedding because my mother couldn’t be there. Just stubborn and dumb is what I was. I should have waited. Maybe then I would not be divorced.

-Started my business- The name was L. Hunter Photography but changed about 5 years ago to LaJoy Photography.

-Shot my first TV show Married at First Sight Season 3

-Had two children- I was now a mom of 3 children and working a dead end job that I hated and now in a marriage I no longer wanted to be in. Making a huge life decision like marriage after losing someone extremely close to you is a BAD idea. I acted out of hurt and found myself ignoring the signs he was not my person.

-Got divorced- Yeah when you find yourself in a situation that you know is not for you the best thing to do is to leave and try to find something that makes you happy. I wanted to focus on my business and my children and ended up finding more. This was tough also and while I was going through this I was expected to be there and a shoulder for other people to lean on. This blew my mind. Some folks can be so selfish!

-Shot a few more TV shows- This was so much fun because I loved being BTS with the camera crew and I made some friends in high places.

-Removed some “Friends” from my life- I had to realize that just because someone is in your life it does not mean they need to stay there. I found myself becoming more stressed out about my friendship than my failed marriage and that wasn’t healthy. So I was starting fresh again all alone. Kinda.

It is hard having to start over and feeling like you have no one to talk to lean on. I felt like I had no one when my mom died and now going through a divorce it felt the same. “Friends” we’re choosing themselves over being there for me and it hurt and made me see that that’s when you truly realize who is your friend.

-Met Teko- I met a man that didn’t want anything from me and only wanted to be a good friend. We connected over great conversation and then decided to take things to the next level and date. He became my best friend. He became my biggest supporter.

-Grew my company to 6 figures- I was making money and eating crab legs and lobster everyday. lol.

-Shot the TV show Love is Blind!- Connected with the producers of the show and worked with the couples of Love is Blind and enjoyed every minute of it.

-Opened my second company- Yup I have two photography companies with a third company on the way.

-Experienced a pandemic- I was blessed enough that when the pandemic started I moved out of my little apartment and into a 3000 sq ft home so my kids had more room to play since we were trapped inside for a while. Do you know how blessed I am to be able to move at a time like that.

-Purchased my Benz!- I wanted to be selfish and get something just for me and that is where my Mercedes came into play. I wanted a ridiculous car that I could pull into my new garage and love riding in. So I did. I got a new car. Oh and I got this car during a pandemic.

-Still surviving the pandemic- I have not had to downsize not one bit during all of this mess and I am thankful for that. I have been able to focus on my children and growing my income each year.

-Shot Married at First Sight Season 12- Another opportunity to work on this show during a pandemic and my second company was able to come along for the ride. THE ENTIRE SHOW WAS SHOT BY MY PRIMARY COMPANY AND MY SECONDARY COMPANY. No other photographers were able to come in the weddings or get credit that day. I learned my lesson when it came to sharing. lol

Oh did I mention I did the promo imaged for MAFS & MAFS unmatchables

-My children are Glorious! - That is all!
-Got a real friend- I realized what it meant to have a true friend who wants to gain nothing from you. Understands what lines not to cross without being told and fills your life with laughter and LOVE! Yolanda Darnell took one of my classes and has been my best friend since.

-Family- I gained an extended family that is hands down the funniest people I know. A mom who loves me as her own. Fusses at me as her own and congratulates me as her own. She is a true cheerleader. My sister who now works with me in business every day and laughs with me every day as well. Two nieces, little brother and sister and so many more.
My brother and other sister has been a staple and so has my aunt. They all have been a great support system in my life.

-GOT ENGAGED- WTF!!! Teko got down on one knee and proposed to me with a beautiful ring and I was so happy to say yes. We are now planning a small but extravagant wedding in Atlanta for October of 2022.

-Made DOUBLE my income in 2021!- Nuff said!

I have learned so many things over the last 10 years and I’ve grown with each year and each lesson. Have thick skin because this industry can be brutal. Mind your own business. Work hard and do not try to compare yourself to anyone. Not everyone is your friend and snakes pretend to like you too.

My resume is long and I have accomplished so much but sometimes feel like I am still fighting for the credit that is rightfully mine. I guess they think I will give up and go away. Naw I like nice things so I am going to keep going. My company survived a pandemic and managed to DOUBLE my income during the pandemic.

I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE. WATCH ME WORK!