SHOW NOTES

KEY IDEAS: 

This show is all about the challenges that people who want to farm or ranch face.  We talk all about the obstacles with land and equipment purchases as well as commodity prices and inputs.  Today’s episode is the first time that I have ever added grizzly bears to this list of obstacles.

Our guest today, Trina Bradley, ranches cattle with her husband and daughter on the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains in Montana.  This is grizzly bear country, and with the increase in numbers of bears the conflicts between humans or livestock and bears is increasing all the time.

This is how I found out about Trina and her side businesses, Dragonfly Photography and Birch Creek Crafts.  There was an article I read online titled “Montana women ranchers share challenges of living with grizzlies“. In the article it was mentioned that Trina has some side businesses that help to keep the ranch going.

Trina’s photography business grew out of a hobby.  She had been taking photographs for friends and family when other people started asking if she could do the same for them.  One thing led to another and a business was born.  

Even though this is the manner in which this business started, Trina still faced many of the hurdles that the rest of us do when it comes to starting a business.  Imposter syndrome was definitely present.  Trina wondered why anyone would want to pay for photographs that she had taken.  There is a lot to learn in this episode, and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did recording it.

ADVICE FROM TRINA:

PRACTICE: Trina practiced a lot when she decided to start her photography business.  She loves photography so all the practice came naturally to her.  It turns out that it was all the practice that gave her the confidence to charge for what she was doing.

VISION: You must have vision or be able to envision how you want the photos to look before you start the shoot.  Trina suggests reading photography magazines and looking at Pinterest to get inspiration and ideas.

LEADERSHIP: Trina suggests leadership training for everyone, but particularly for business owners.  She went through a leadership program put on by the Montana Stock Growers Association, and she has found it to be very useful in her business life.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE TRINA HAS EVER RECEIVED:

Charge what you are worth.  Trina’s photography mentor convinced her of this.  You need to charge people what it is worth for you to spend that time away from your family.

PERSONAL HABIT:

BOSSY: Trina describes herself as “excessively bossy”.  She says this with a laugh but means it.  However, it is her ability to be bossy that allows her to get photo shoots done, especially when her customer is not quite sure of what they want.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

Trina recommends The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change as a book that everyone, even if you are not in business, should read.  I agree.  This is a great book.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

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Website: LINK

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