BY HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY MENTOR, Vanie Poyey

I was already working as a part time photographer for about 3 years when I got fired from my last waitress job for insubordination. Ha, and thanks PJ – I’m so grateful for you.

I guess I was never meant to have a boss.

At the time, I was depressed,😞 feeling like a loser because nothing in my life was going right. In many ways, I was stuck in a self destructive loop.

I was trying to become an actor and failing badly. My romantic relationships would result in one heartbreak after another and I couldn’t bear the idea of still waiting tables at 30 and still being broke while I smoked my way through it all.

The future was dark and mind you– I was only in my mid 20s.

At work, I constantly had to deal with managers who wanted power and control over me, always men (sorry guys).

They wouldn’t give me shifts I deserved or wouldn’t give me the time off I asked for. They’d flirt with me and punish me for not flirting back (gross) and finally one fired me for no reason other than control. How dare I stand up for myself.😖

I was truly at the bottom of the emotional pool. I lost my steady job, I had no money, no boyfriend, felt lonely as hell and I couldn’t quit smoking.

BUT I vowed to quit waitressing.

I was either going to stay down or stand up. I eventually wiped the tears off my face, strapped on my boots, put on my big girl pants, and took action. I only had $300 in the bank so I sold my car and took out an ad (in the paper) for $3000 and the rest is history.

As I started to shoot consistently, I quickly invested another $15K (on credit cards) to propel my business further. I paid for a professional website which by the way, cost more than websites cost now – a whopping $4500. I also paid for a new computer, new gear and continued to pay for advertising. You’ve heard the saying, “you’ve got to spend money to make money” right? Well in my experience, that couldn’t be more true.

My life slowly began to improve because I took charge. I even quit smoking!

What’s funny is that back then I didn’t have a plan – I was only 25.

I guess I needed that push to jump off the cliff to discover I could fly. But I could have done it soooo much sooner and saved myself so much heartache.

I had enough experience and enough of a portfolio but the problem was I didn’t have the mindset.

If you’re on the edge of the cliff and scared to jump because you’re worried you’ll fall, what if you fly? How will your life change if you take the chance and believe in yourself? Now. Not later.

Now that I’m older, wiser and more experienced, I have a plan. A framework to help *you* jump. Maybe you need the push.

If you’re scared, I’m here to hold your hand and walk you through the steps.

Take a look here to learn how I can help you.