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Running a Business as a Recovering Type A Woman


I grew up the epitome of a first daughter, first granddaughter — a people-pleasing child raised by Type A parents. I prided myself on checklists, bucket lists, good grades, and certificates. Achievement felt like identity.

That worked… until life became bigger than my ability to control it.


While navigating life as a public school teacher and parenting my first child after an emergency C-section, my Type A tendencies began to crumble. I had to start prioritizing my own values instead of everyone else’s expectations and to-do lists.


I realized something simple but life-changing:

My child preferred snuggling and reading together far more than elaborate holiday bucket lists or perfectly planned moments.


Over the next few years, I welcomed another baby, stepped away from education, spent a lot of time in therapy, and slowly learned that I didn’t have to operate in perfectionism just to please other people.

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Learning to Loosen the Grip (Without Losing Structure)


Don’t get me wrong — I still love a good to-do list. And unlike some of my very Type B friends, unread emails and texts stress me out.


But I’ve learned something important:

Everything is not an emergency.



I can pause, prioritize, and decide what actually deserves my attention instead of constantly operating in “putting out fires” mode.

That shift changed not only my life — but how I run my business.

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How I Run My Business Without Going Full Type A


A baby lies on a light green blanket wearing a 'BE BOLD' onesie while holding a pacifier.
Fallen autumn leaves blanket the ground beneath a large leaning tree in a park setting.
A group dances and plays together on a mountain trail during golden hour with majestic peaks in the background.
Mother and baby lying on white blanket outdoors sharing sweet moments together in casual denim attire.

I Plan in Seasons, Not Panic Cycles


I still love spreadsheets. Planning my newsletter, blog, and social content a year in advance gives me direction without daily pressure.


Instead of constantly reacting, I work in seasonal planning cycles. It allows creativity and structure to coexist — something many recovering Type A entrepreneurs deeply need.

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A lush greenhouse interior with wooden beams and tropical plants creating a serene botanical atmosphere.
A group sits together in a bright living room with white walls and carpet during a casual gathering.

I Choose One Major Business Investment Each Year


Before signing up for new courses or coaching programs, I ask:

What will actually move the needle this year?


Here’s what that has looked like in my business:

  • 2020: Photography and business education while starting out
  • 2021: Invested in a client management system
  • 2022: Personal branding photos, Attended a large photography conference, and hired a 3 time coach.
  • 2023: Branding video project — the messaging clarity was so valuable!
  • 2024: Blogging class and website audit
  • 2025: Another website audit + in-person retreat for family photographers
  • 2026: Hired a virtual assistant to streamline systems and booking — and provide the accountability I needed to raise my prices

Sometimes growth doesn’t come from learning more — it comes from implementing better.

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There Is Such a Thing as Too Much Input


We live in an era where help is everywhere: coaching groups, courses, masterminds, and experts constantly appear in our feeds.

Many of them are excellent.


But before investing, I ask myself:

  • Are they still doing the work themselves?

(In my case: are photography coaches still actively photographing families?)

  • What results have their clients achieved?

Success in a field doesn’t automatically equal skill in teaching or coaching.

  • Do our personalities actually connect?

If someone doesn’t feel aligned, you’re far less likely to implement their advice.


Discernment is a business skill.

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Trust Your Gut — You Are the CEO


Running a business means creating space to work on your business, not just in it.


For me, that means stepping away from sessions and editing to focus on:

  • accounting
  • marketing
  • advertising
  • education
  • long-term vision

And yes — classes, networking, and reading business books count as real work.


CEO time is not optional. It’s essential.

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Remain Flexible


One of the hardest lessons for a recovering Type A business owner is accepting that growth rarely follows a perfectly mapped-out plan.


When I first started my business, I believed success would come from choosing the right strategy and sticking to it flawlessly. But real life — motherhood, shifting priorities, changing markets, and evolving creative energy — doesn’t work that way.


Flexibility has become one of my greatest business skills.


Sometimes an offer you thought would be your main focus quietly fades away. Sometimes a service you added almost as an experiment becomes the heart of your business. And sometimes the season of life you’re in requires you to slow down instead of scale up.


Remaining flexible means allowing your business to evolve alongside you.

It looks like:

  • adjusting goals when your capacity changes
  • pivoting marketing plans when something isn’t resonating
  • giving yourself permission to try, learn, and refine instead of forcing perfection


Structure can still exist — but it should support your life, not control it.


The most sustainable businesses aren’t rigid. They’re responsive. They grow through reflection, experimentation, and trust in the long game.

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Don’t Be Afraid to Be the Face of Your Business


People want to know who they are hiring — especially when they’re choosing someone they’ll work with repeatedly.

Today’s clients want connection and alignment. They want to invest in businesses whose values match their own.


That means:

  • sharing your story
  • showing your why
  • including images of you, not just your work


This is where personal branding photography becomes incredibly powerful. When you feel confident showing up as the face of your business, marketing becomes more natural — and more effective.


If personal branding feels like your next step, I’d love to help you create imagery that reflects both who you are and what you’ve built.

Let's chat!