Franchisor Interview - Helen & Phil really click, when it comes to working together!
Helen Evans, co founder of Pebbles speaks honestly about what it’s like to be a Pebbles photographer working full time with her husband.
Before Petal Portraits, my husband Phil had been running his own successful wedding and studio portrait photography business for over twenty years and I was a lecturer at the local FE College. Although I really loved teaching, I didn’t enjoy the enormous admin workload that went with it and which meant that I had little time either for Phil or for our two teenage children, Andrew and Victoria.
So, we decided three years ago that I should leave teaching and join the photography business. However, I didn’t want to become just his admin lady and was keen to keep a sense of my own identity, so Petal Portraits was born as a separate company - as something new that I could bring to the business – even though I had never taken a single photo with a digital camera before!
Phil was confident that he could train me to take professional photos within a couple of weeks, which he did, and I haven’t looked back since.
The Effect on Our Relationship…
Even though some of our friends and family wondered how we would stand the pressure of sharing the same space 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and were concerned that we would get bored if we only had work to talk about day after day, Phil and I have found that working together has transformed our work life balance so much for the better, that we are closer, stronger and happier than ever.
Complimentary Skills…
We have found that there are many advantages to working together. Our business thrives because we are both quite different in terms of the skills we bring and have our own clear roles and responsibilities. For example, Phil is always positive and highly motivated which keeps us both driving the business forward. He is also very creative and brings fabulous new ideas to the photography side of the business making it always fresh and exciting.
As for me, I’m a little more methodical and organized, so can keep the business admin side on track and up to date. Having been a teacher in a past life, I’m also pretty good with words, so I tend to design our adverts and marketing materials too.
Flexibility & Mutual Support…
We also have the flexibility to step into each other’s shoes, so if one is overloaded with work, the other is able to help out and so ease the pressure. We both take the photos too, which means we have an advantage as a couple of being able to accept double the number of bookings for photo sessions – which is great financially!
Because we share things, we can ask advice or bounce new ideas off one another - more importantly we are also more able to support each other because we really do understand how the other one feels when they come home and say ‘I’ve had a hard day.’
Ideal Franchise for a Couple…
Petal Portraits is an ideal franchise opportunity for a couple like us because of its flexibility: We each have clearly defined roles and responsibilities which suit our individual strengths and talents, yet we are easily able to swap roles at a moments notice. It’s also exciting as no two photo sessions are ever the same.
You visit interesting clients from all walks of life and have great opportunities to build relationships with them. It’s always exciting as you never really know what you are going to walk into next: You could do a gentle indoor baby photo session one minute, play in the sand pit with a cute toddler the next, and end the day down at the local park playing football with a couple of teenagers!
For couples considering a franchise, Petal Portraits offers a range of benefits;
- full training in photographing children and families
- training in all aspects of running your business
- all the equipment you need to get started straight away
- strategies and materials for finding customers
- friendly backup and support from Phil and Helen
Our Family Benefits too…
The children have benefited too, as we’re usually around to help them with homework or even just to ask ‘how was your day’ when they get in from school. Phil has had the time to help my 17 year old son to launch his own web design business and my daughter has her friends round for regular girlie sleepovers – which simply didn’t happen before Petal Portraits as I was always too busy with my teaching to want her friends around at the weekend.
I’ve really noticed the change in them since I left employment and joined Phil – they’re both more relaxed and happy, and I’m more involved in their lives - which makes me happier too.
Feel Good Factor!
Since launching Petal Portraits, I don’t think that either of us could be happier. I can honestly say that I love everything about the business, from constantly meeting new people, taking fabulous photos that I’m really proud of to showcasing them wherever I get the opportunity. But the thing I love most, and I’m sure where Phil gets the same buzz too, is that each time I show a mum and dad the photos Petal Portraits has taken of their little ones, and see the smiles on their faces, I feel absolutely fantastic. What’s more, as a mum I know just how much the photos I’ve taken will mean to them in years to come.
