Heike Martin on Personal Branding, Storytelling, and Photography in Business

Speaker A: Good afternoon. This is Kathryn, your host with the Beyond Business podcast. I'm excited to have as our guest Heike Martin. She is here with us today from Heike Martin Photography. She has built a reputation for helping entrepreneurs and professionals capture their authentic essence, not just with beautiful images, but with photos that truly speak to who they are and what their business represents. So we'll be talking a bit more about this and getting to know what Heike does. So let's just begin. Thank you and welcome, Heikes.

Speaker B: Oh, thank you so much for having me on your show. I'm really excited because I know I've been listening to your podcast, and I just love the conversations and the learning that you share with us about entrepreneurs in the area.

Speaker A: Well, I am just so excited because, you know, it has been a mission to be able to speak to lots of the entrepreneurs that are here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. And so I want to just unfold. First of all, how is it that you started to go into photography and storytelling? And why is this something that's so passionate for you?

Speaker B: Oh, my God. That is a. How much time do we have? Right. Um, sometimes it's these roundabout ways of how we get places. Um, my background is in early childhood education. I got my degree back in Germany, but then I got married to an American guy and ended up in the US and all of a sudden, your degree doesn't really count for much. Um, so stay at home, Mom. Long story short with all of that, but I ended up working for a fair trade company, and if you're local, you know, 10,000 villages, um, absolutely amazing organization with a huge mission. And in most of those 17 years that I worked, I worked specifically with a fair trade rug program called, called Bunyat out of Pakistan. Um, and in my tenure with them, ended up doing marketing. My boss was one of those people said, like, oh, we need to have, like, emails done. And that was back in the day when email marketing just came out with images and things. I mean, it's, like, really hard to look back because we're so used to getting these types of marketing pieces today. And I started from scratch, having no idea what it was doing, but willing to learn, and had a boss who kind of, like, said, like, go for it. Just make mistakes. Let you have time to figure out how to make this work, because we really need this done, and we need someone who's willing to tackle this. So I did, and I fell in love with marketing, which was completely not on my radar when I joined the company. And out of that, all of a Sudden. Oh, I don't like the images we're using. It's like they're just not, they don't bring the rugs to m life. I can't feel quite the feel of the fibers. I can't quite see the colors the way they should be. And so again my boss was like, here's a camera. Go some pictures and get better marketing images. And I'm like, okay, now I want good images. Now I need to learn how to do this.

Speaker A: Oh my.

Speaker B: So it was joining photography clubs in the area, getting to know other photographers, learning from them, uh, taking online courses, and then also doing quite a few in person workshops. I'm very much a hands on learner, so in person was definitely my preference. And the more photography I did for my job, the more I fell in love with photography in general and actually liking people in front of my camera. I mean I was with the mom with the camera, but doing high end photography was a completely different ballgame. But the mindset.

Speaker A: So let me ask you, I love how, uh, sometimes in entrepreneurship things will come, um, of not knowing, like here you, you know, you have an education background, you wind up working in a company that, you know, just changes pretty much a trajectory of, you know, what you're gonna land on. And what was the piece of how you fell in love with photography and how do you bring that to entrepreneurs today?

Speaker B: I think what I fell in love with photography was mainly like what I was able to realize, like the connection I had with the person in front of me, realizing that there was like a change in, in how they showed up, uh, when someone actually saw them. M. I think that that is where the magic started happening. I think photography, there's so much technical pieces around it and yes, you need to understand your camera and lighting and how to light a face, a body, a situation, figure out how the environment works with it. But it was that transformation that I saw happening, realized. You know what? I think I have a gift in how I interact with people and I'm able to bring something out of them. So then again, like couple years forward, like 19, 20, 17 is when I, when I started my business. And it was one of those things. My dad had just passed away, uh, in January of that year and it was a bit of a catalyst because I was 52 at the time. So you know, you know my age and I'm proud of it. So. Because I think it's part of the story. It's also part of the story why I connect with women who are in a profession who are maybe having a second career change in their career, trying to level up, to realize I'm coming from that same background. Like, I've made a huge change, a huge shift into something. And the photography is just my vessel of, um, connecting and creating something to help again, business women show up as the next level best self.

Speaker A: So, Heike, uh, one thing I wanted to ask you is if you had to describe the type of photography that you do in three words, what would you. What three words would resonate with the type of photography that you do?

Speaker B: So, I mean, it's officially, it's called personal branding photography. I mean, headshots are part of that. But then lifestyle, um, there are so many different parts that come that are part of a personal brand. It is showing up as you. Even if you're working for a corporation or you're an employee, you still have a personal brand. And if we're moving on throughout our career, it is images that help you depict who you. How you would like to be perceived, but also who you are. So you don't want to change who you are. Right. But you also want to shed maybe some perceptions of who you are. So how do we help you level up, um, into the person that you're growing into? That, to me, is the type of photography that I feel like levels up what a personal brand can be. And having images around that help your message.

Speaker A: It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be a business owner. You actually are a personal brand. And that is most people don't realize that they are the brand. Whether you're someone who is going to get hired by another company, whether you are someone who is an entrepreneur or an intrapreneur. Because there's a lot of intrapreneurs in companies that actually help build the company, but they are branding themselves through photography. So give us an example of someone who you've worked with that just had this aha moment, because so many times we don't see ourselves, you know, and so I would love to just unfold that for our audience, because we are the brand. And so how have you. Or give us an example of someone that you just in that moment where they saw themselves for the first time.

Speaker B: It's actually interesting. Just, um. Was it just. Yeah, just last year I worked with a client and she came to me first for headshots. It was like one of those, like, oh, let me just dip my toes into. I just need a headshot kind of thing. I need to update my LinkedIn profile. I know I have. I'm in the middle of building a website, and she needed to have one good one. It's always that I need one good image. That's usually how people start, right? So then we did this first set of her. She came into my studio and we did this set of creating, um, extreme more than one headshot from her, because there's always one need for one. But it was in that process where she realized I've had images before. She didn't like the process, and she didn't like the end result of her first time experience. And I think that is how a lot of people come in. There's such a hesitation around that. So we kind of broke through that barrier, uh, of finally showing her how she wanted to look. She really fell in love with her images. So then she came to me and said, I started this Empower her, uh, project, dipped my toe into that last year, and she was willing, said, like, you know what, I want to experience more. I'm not quite ready for, like, a full branding, but I want to do another set. So we did like an hour empower her project with her, which was all about her showing up, um, diving into childhood memories and, um, how she wanted to show up. And so we had, like, sets that were maybe a little sexy. We had some that were like, like, boss oriented. And we had others where she showed up, like, as the princess she's always wanted to be as a kid and never had a chance to do so. That was number two for her. And she said that was like, oh, my God, Heikes, Seeing me through your lens just opened up, um, something that she had never experienced before. Um, and that led then to actually session number three, which happened this past January when she was finally ready to update her website. And she said, like, I need to have images that show me again in how I work with my clients. She's a massage therapist, Medical massage therapist. She said, like, I'm very particular in how I treat my clients, how I interact with them, and I really want that captured. So to her was a process and, like, starting with this one headshot into realizing there's so much more that she is than she ever expected of herself. I think there's that transformation that happened.

Speaker A: So what I'm hearing you say is you're actually helping them unfold a story and for what they do. So here you have a repeat client who's come back and said, okay, now I want to pretty much elevate that story. Now tell. Tell how I work with the clients. So now you're helping Them to tell a story not only from way back and just through their growth, but as people grow in business, they grow. And so you're capturing a whole new essence from of them. Is that right?

Speaker B: And I think what you just mentioned is like, in the essence that kind of pulls through as they're elevating their own business. I mean, we're all growing, we're all changing. You do not want to be stagnant in, oh my God, this. I started my business 10 years ago and you're still showing the same images. The process from back then, I mean, it just gives us the feeling that your business is stagnant. But

Speaker A: I, uh, love that. So it is important to constantly be refreshing.

Speaker B: Yes. So it's not just refreshing refreshing, but also with the mindset of, like, what have I learned over the years, how have my processes, how I serve my clients, My own personality, uh, is probably changing and uplifting. Just because I've gotten more training, I've now added maybe new courses, new office to what I have available for my clients. So what are all these things? Not just things, but also how much have I changed in those years of growth and how is that coming across in the images?

Speaker A: So what is your proudest moment that you've been through so far in your career in having chosen to go into photography and helping others to unfold their stories?

Speaker B: Proudest moment was. Probably had nothing to do with branding photography back in 2020. We all know what that year meant. Um, I mean, again, being stuck at home photographer, we weren't really allowed to do much outside work or studio work. So I ended up, um. It's like I needed to have some kind of creative outlet. So I decided to do photography for some women in the area who enjoyed sports. Friend of mine was a box head of a boxing studio. So it's like, what? Let me have some fun with you. And so we did distance, the whole thing, long lens. And I. So I took pictures of her boxing. I just wanted to see the action, motion, all of that. But then we sat down and she started sharing her story, how she got into boxing. And I'm like, um, I need to capture the story. Not just taking great pictures, but I really need to capture the story. And so we. Out of that first initial session with her, I realized I need to do more with that. So I took like a year and a half throughout the times we were allowed to do photography and ended up, um, capturing stories for 14 different women in our area, in the Lancaster and York area. Um, all people who loved a Different sport. And I think out of 14 I only have like two sports that were the same swimming. So I did 14 different kinds of swimming sports. Being up on a climbing wall with a rock climber, I was underwater with swimmers, I was on the tennis court, I was on the golf course, I was with a marathon runner at six in the morning capturing her morning run and created a coffee table book, um, that just showcased their stories in picture, but also in their own words. Celebrating what the sport means to them, but also how that again filters into everything they do in their daily lives. I was amazed at how many um, correlation there was between the sport and the mentality and what that meant community integration and how that then played into their everyday life also in work, how they interacted with co workers and clients and just how they again how they work throughout their day. So that was my biggest moment. Just publishing the book and having those amazing stories to share.

Speaker A: Now that's beautiful. How did that um, affect that storytelling? How would you say that is what enhances what someone does? I love the fact that you're talking about how, ah, you're actually capturing so much more so and, and the fact that you're willing to go underwater, climb on, on rocks and do all to capture those photos, you know, that's got to be inspiring to you too as you're telling other people's stories. Um, you know, you're actually, I mean I could, I could hear the passion, I could hear your excitement from this. How do you, how does that. What I'd like to do is ask the audience as you're telling this story, it's bringing up this whole thought of how does our audience know how important this is? Because I'm hearing your passion. But tell our audience why telling your story is so important.

Speaker B: Your story connects. I mean, I think we're off. Forget how many other people are out there who need to hear our story so that they can be heard themselves. Stories are such a wonderful way to connect. And I think going back again to my years of working in fair trade, um, I had to tell stories of the artisans who created the crafts that we sold. But it was telling stories with integrity, not glossing, not creating a different Persona or again like in Photoshop, when we like to do things and like, oh, let me just like completely change what you look like because it needs to look a certain way. It's. No, it's showing up as who you are is what really, really connects. And I've sort of taken that, that type of storytelling into my photography business and I've realized that this is where the magic is. We connect when we tell our stories. A lot of people don't know that they have a story, though.

Speaker A: That was the next question I was going to ask you. How do you tell the world why telling your story is important through your photography? Like, how are you able to. Sometimes people don't really. Like you said, they don't know that they have a story. So, uh, what do you do to showcase to the world what you do and why what you do matters?

Speaker B: So part of, part of it is having the conversation. For me as a photographer, I sit down with my clients before any photo shoot, before I will ever take up a camera, I want to get to know you. And that means asking questions, finding out, like, what. What are your values? Like, what is something that you hold very dear? Again, like, how did you. You get into business? But also, like, what has transformed you over the years? And it kind of. It depends. Everybody has. Some people tell me maybe a little bit more about their personal life, how that affects what they're doing in business. We all have an origin story. Why did we get into business in the first place? Right. Um, so how does that affect what we're doing? But then, if you're in business for 10, 15 years, how's that story changed? Is there something else that's been added to it? Like, we have layers. How do we unpack some of those layers and then start adding those in? But I want to see a little bit of a red thread going through with the stores. And that is usually the values that we hold dear. And I would imagine most of us who have a business have probably sat down at some point and said, like, what are the values that I'm going to honor in my business?

Speaker A: Would you say that if somebody was just starting a business, that this might be the thing that helps them figure out who they are, what they do, and why they decided to do what they do.

Speaker B: It should be the first step. I've actually sent people away without doing photography to them for them, because they weren't quite ready. So you do want to do, like, your own branding. You want to figure out, like, who am I in this business? What are my goals? Um, again, what is my mission? Um, you do want to have a bit of a grounding. It's not about colors, it's not about fonts, it's not about those kinds of things. They are just, I feel like, little bit the makeup we put on, um, it just beautifies everything, but it's the underlying understanding of like, who is my brand in the first place? Um, and I feel like my photography should come in second. Understanding and getting the groundwork done around your brand voice, your brand tone, how you interact with people, what you're trying to do needs to come first so I can help flesh it out when it comes to then the imagery. But I don't do the basic part of, like, really doing the initial work. That is something every business really needs to have in place.

Speaker A: Okay, so then what would you say is the biggest challenge that you've had to overcome in having started this business in photography? Uh, as you've had to do your own soul seeking? Correct? Yes.

Speaker B: So when I started my business, that first year in business, I was, you are, oh, my God, typical kind of photographers. Like, oh, my mom talks like, I know how to take pictures and let me just put my name out there and people will come. Well, they didn't because I had no message except, oh, I'm a photographer, hire me. Well, that doesn't work. So I had to figure out fairly quickly if I wanted to make this into an actual business that pays my bills and puts food on the table. I had to figure out, like, where do I light up? Uh, who do I serve best, what is my message and what I actually want to do as a photographer. We all know there's wedding photographer, there's baby photographers, maternity, um, family, and I dabble just a little bit in all of those things. And while I enjoyed them, nothing wasn't completely clicking. And then a year into my business, I finally hired a sweet spot business coach. And within, I think, one or two sessions, the coach kind of looked at me and said, heike, you light up. Uh, every time we talk about personal branding photography, that is your sweet spot. And I realized, like, working one on one with people, being able to. Again, when you asked about the storytelling, being able to sit and delve into those questions, being able to pull out what makes a person sing and jive in their own kind of environment. And then putting on my creative hat of, like, how do we turn this now into imagery that really helps them tell their story and connects with their audience. It's where things just started to come to light for me. And so I took everything.

Speaker A: Mentors then.

Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I took everything off my website the same day and just completely concentrated on personal with a huge leap of faith doing that. But it was the best thing I could have ever done because it gave me clarity in the direction of where my business needed to go and the type of photography I knew I was good at.

Speaker A: I actually remember having that conversation with you prior to coming on and you mentioning that you were told to take everything off the website and then and just put this. And you were like, are you sure you had gone through the whole process of doing this. It was like, I should take it all off.

Speaker B: I mean, that was a, that was a big moment in the evening. Like sitting there at my computer and I'm deleting, I'm deleting, deleting all these pages. I'm deleting everything I thought I wanted to do and really just lean. But it gave me focus and it gave me the opportunity then to really become more streamlined in my messaging. Instead of being all over the place and just being unfocused. I mean, when people don't know what you're doing, how are they gonna pick up the phone and say, hey, can

Speaker A: I work with you right now? Walk us through what it would look like if someone wanted to hire you as their photographer for branding and from beginning to end, like, what that process looks like for them.

Speaker B: Yeah. So the first part obviously is like the initial phone conversation. I will talk to every of my clients. Just emailing or texting is not my go to. I, um, need to hear your voice. Voice, and I think you need to hear my voice. And then just to get that initial dreaming done of like, what, what are you hoping to get out of a session like this? Why are you coming in the first place? Like, what are your goals with this? And then let's put our thinking caps on of what that might look like. So once we do just the initial kind of conversation, people say like, yep, I'm ready to book you. Then we will actually sit down for about an hour long planning session of thinking through the intention for each image. What are the different image sets that we're trying to create? Are we looking for website, social media? Are you starting a new course again? It's like thinking through, like what, what is the next step for you? Right? And, and where do these images need to take you? It's not images that we want to create for the here and now. It's images that take you into the, the future of your business, like into the, into your future self. Um, so it's thinking through. So the planning session really is everything from intention of images and that means then, okay, what do we need location wise? What kind of clothing will help? Uh, first of all, help you look and feel your best, but also still fit in with your brand messaging. Do we need any props? Um, do we. What kind of direction? Are you an Instagram person? Do we need maybe more storytelling images? So they also then have like, do I take more portrait? Do I take more horizontal? Um, so we're thinking through all of those pieces to come down to the core message of what are the intentions of this photo shoot and all the logistics need to fit in with that. And then we have the session. So the planning is like the half the fun that is to me the most important part that sounds fun. I mean, that's where we lay the groundwork. And it's like people are like, now I have everything in place.

Speaker A: Exactly.

Speaker B: They can kind of relax. I mean, they're still nervous, to be honest. We're all nervous right when we get in front of the camera. But it lays the groundwork for the session and then the session every week. We know we have a plan. We can have flexibility within, uh, that plan, but at least we know what we want to do. I don't want to, to waste my clients time. I want to make sure that this is an effortless, seamless session to get everything that they're hoping for.

Speaker A: Now, what would you say is some advice that you would give someone who's looking to do, you know, to get branding photos and go through a process and just isn't is unclear as to whether they should do that or not?

Speaker B: I think there are like two questions in that one. Right. I feel like is it the right thing to do or not? I think is maybe question number one in figuring out where is your business happening online? I think photography definitely is something we're using maybe more online than in print. But I have enough clients actually who do have print products. So from brochures to. So you really want to think through who am I actually using imagery. Some people also kind of forget what is possible. So I think sometimes we're stuck with, oh, I just need to update my headshot, um, which is obviously number one. But if you want to grow, if you want to have a business that actually starts thriving and has a presence because people are searching, they will look on Google, they will want to find you on Google Maps. Maps, if you have a storefront or if you have a location business or even a service business, needs to be on Google, uh, Maps, because that is where we find information, reviews, all of those things. You want to have imagery that also goes with that and shares your story that way. So it's not just social media, it's not just your website. There's like a whole circle of, uh, places where we have to think through where that needs to be. So even people might think, I just need a headshot. I think they often forget all those other areas where they could be showing up. So branding photography doesn't mean that you need 50 images. I often say, like, set up seven sets you up for at least updating your website. Mmm, okay. You had another question though, in, in that.

Speaker A: So what advice would you give people? Um, so, I mean that kind of went along with that, but what advice would you give someone? Like, there were two or three tips you wanted to leave them with. What would that be?

Speaker B: So once you, you realize that you want to grow as a business or you want to show up and you know you need images, go find a photographer that you connect with, go do your research online. And that's again, that's where Google comes in. Asking the community is one thing because again, referrals I think are really big and just like, how is the person? How can I trust them? Um, what is the photographer's personality? Do you think I will mesh? So that's one part you do really need to be able to connect with the photographer, but then the other part is go look at their portfolio and see is this style of imagery in line with where you want to go. Because as photographers we each have a certain style and it's not going to fully change just because someone has a certain look. So if I'm like a, let's say, I mean there's plenty of photographers out there who have a very light and airy kind of photography style. If you want to have something moody, they're probably not going to be your photographer. Right. So if you're looking for something that's more something will withstand time, go look for a photographer who has images that have colors, um, that are clean and imagery that really depicts the day to day. The actual what you see, it's not glossed over, it doesn't have filters on, on while yet elevating how you look, you want to have a little bit of elevation in your brand and photography versus like a snapshot you take with your phone. There's like a little bit of a difference in there. Right, right. But look at someone's portfolio. There needs to be consistency in the imagery from lighting to how they. Can you see that they're pulling out your essence. Can you see, are, ah, they creative? Is it the same shot over and over and over again in all of their branding? Where's their creativity in there that says, oh my God, like for this type of business, wow. They created an Interesting set of images. So you want to make sure that you gel with what the photographer puts out there and that it's high quality, consistent work.

Speaker A: I love that you added that, though. Um, just having that combination, because so many times I even have friends that. I always worried about the filters. I narrower worry about filters. Like, listen, this is who I am. This is what I look like. I don't want you to meet me on the street and think I look different. So, um, it is what it is.

Speaker B: Actually, I'm glad you mentioned that on this street, because that is one of my things that I often mention. Like, you want to be recognizable on the street?

Speaker A: Yes.

Speaker B: I mean, we're in business. If we show up like someone who. They walk. Walk right past you when you're in the store, then you've. You've lost the connection right there.

Speaker A: You've said the word connection a lot. And one of the things I do find since COVID Because, you know, we've all lived through that, that we're going back to community. Yes. We're going back to connection. I think people realize, like, that was fine for a, uh, for the. For the times, but we've missed out on connecting with people. And in business. I love that you talk a lot about connection, because in photos you do. I feel. I love photos and I. I take lots of them and I. I connect, whether it be with flowers or with trees or with animals or with just experiences. So what I hear you. When I hear you talk about connection, I'm hearing you say that you're actually creating experiences through the work that you're doing, which is what allows people to connect with us in business. Right. So there's a trust factor that happens when you're telling the story the right way.

Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, without trust, I wouldn't be able to pull out what we're hoping to pull out. So there's a. There's a piece of transformation that happens. And I think part of that connection, like, goes back again to the planning session and that the initial work that we do. So when I was telling clients, like, I will hold your fears, I can't take them completely away. Like, the coming in, what is it going to look like? How am I going to show up? I don't know what to do. Like, I mean, we all come in with different kinds of fear. So I said, I can hold your fears through the entire process, so you can relax into the experience.

Speaker A: Now. Why would someone choose you versus, uh, someone else? Why would they pick you?

Speaker B: That's always a good Question I should maybe ask my clients. Actually, when you go and look at my Google reviews, it tells you quite a bit about why they choose. Choose me. I think part of it is because I do this hand holding throughout the, the entire process that is a big part of like just caring for my clients. Um, it's not just, oh, here's the PDF or here's this. Go figure things out on your own. I will hop into my clients closets. If that helps them be confident in their outfit choices. I will do whatever it takes to give them the confidence. Um, and that starts from the, the first time we connect. Often a year, two before we. Even before they even hire me.

Speaker A: Wow.

Speaker B: Once again, where the connection comes in, right? It's like building rapport along the way.

Speaker A: Um, I love that you're willing to, you know, not only go underwater and climb rocks, but go into their closets and say, hey, this is what's going to look good on you. This is awesome. Well, that is personal. Like what I'm hearing you say is like, you get very personal personal, and that makes a difference in when you're gonna hold someone's hand. You're. They're actually letting you in. That's like going into your soul and saying, this is who I am. This is, uh, you know, and helping you to be able to pull that out. That's awesome. And yeah, I love, I love that. It just, it gives me goosebumps. So. All right, so I would love for you to share with our audience about there were anything that you'd want to leave them with. What would that be?

Speaker B: Part of it is don't be afraid to step into the light. That, that to me is like, I have actually have a quote here and I pull it up on my laptop beside me and I'm going to read it to you. It's by Mariana, um, Williamson. And it's a quote that just deeply, deeply speaks to, I think, how I want to see transformation happen in people. And that is our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

Speaker A: I love that quote. I have lived. I love that quote. And Nelson Mandela had, um, said that quote, um, in a speech that he did. And that is a beautiful quote because that is where I feel even when you decide to do something that so, you know, so you're so passionate about sometimes that is the thing is like, you know, we have to remember that our stories matter because we could be the light that Someone else needs. Right, yeah. So that is beautiful.

Speaker B: And I think that is, that is, I mean, again, like sometimes, again, when I say hold your fears, I can only hold so much. So there is, I mean, people do have to take that step. Um, and it's interesting for me to watch. Um, I mean, I'm in quite a few different networking groups and I'm always noticing that the women who are taking this step are the ones who are out there who are growing their business, who are, um, able to have graphics quickly to, oh, we have something like, can we share your story? Can you be on the front page of something? They're the ones who are ready to leap into opportunities M and others who are constantly holding back. I don't see that.

Speaker A: Right, right.

Speaker B: And I've had clients who had pictures done and they weren't quite ready. And again, I don't see them, they, they don't use the images. So that's sometimes really sad to watch. When I was like, oh, you've had this opportunity, what happened? What is it that's still holding you back and keeping you in the shadows, in the darkness? Instead of saying like, I can be in the light.

Speaker A: That. That is a great point to make. So with that question, I would love to ask you, or with that point, I would love to ask you, what advice would you give your younger self?

Speaker B: Younger self was a long, many years ago. I think one of my biggest advices is don't discount what you've done over the years. Like looking back at my own life, I was a stay at home mom. Every once in a while I'm like, ah, like why, why didn't I step into photography earlier? I could have had like a career for much longer. And, and then I'm looking back, said no. But these were moments and experiences that were important and they've shaped me. Then my years of working in fair trade shaped me and allowed me to grow in so many different ways. And all of those experiences now shape how I run my business and how I interact with my clients. I'm not sure if I would have been the same person and the same kind of business owner, uh, the same photographer without those experiences.

Speaker A: I love that you add that because when I look back on my experiences, you know, you're grateful for the journey. And when you're grateful for the journey, you realize that throughout that journey there are so many things that you learned. And part of why I able to help businesses now is because even as an intrapreneur working for someone else, I learned how to run A business, how to do, like, how to track things, how to really market, you know, businesses. And when you are. When you have those experiences and you're grateful for them, that you actually start to utilize them, you know, further in what you're doing to help others. So you show up differently in the world. Um, and Heike, I just. I. This has been amazing, and I would love. If our audience wanted to find you, wanted to do business with, with you, wanted to hire you, how would they find you? You know, what would be the best next step?

Speaker B: Um, yeah, best next steps is always either connect with me on social media. I'm active on LinkedIn. I'm also active on Facebook. I'm only a little bit active on Instagram.

Speaker A: Not my favorite platform, sorry, storytelling platform.

Speaker B: I know I don't like it, but my main site is obviously my website@heikermarkinphotography.com. um, and because I'm using my name, it's so easy to just put it into Google. Put my name out there, and you will find me on maps. You will find me. You will find a lot of information just by Googling my name, which is really neat. And that is actually a plug to anyone doing personal branding. Go check out the front page. Like the first page on Google. When you type your name or type your business, are you showing up? And if you are not have the entire page all about you, then you're missing out.

Speaker A: So that's great advice right there, actually. Um, but I want to make sure that our audience knows, because even if you're someone that's driving, Heike is actually spelled H E I K E Martin, M A R T I N. And so you can look her up on Google, on her social platforms, uh, or on her website. It's all the same. So that's great. That's great branding, and it's great branding advice as well. So you're really. You are the, you know, you. You are the message. Your name should be able to be the one that pops up. So, Heike, thank you so much. This has been a great conversation. I've learned a lot, and I'm sure that our audience has as well. And I think that, you know, it'll help them show up different. So thank you so much.

Speaker B: Well, thank you so much again for having me. It's been a pleasure connecting and, um, sharing.

Speaker A: So, again, this is Katherine, your host with the Beyond Business podcast. So excited that you were able to spend this time with Heike and myself here today. And so I just hope that you go ahead and you seek her out because she's the girl that you want to have doing your branding. So have a great day.