If you’ve ever wondered what it actually looks like to build a creative business that lasts — through growth, pivots, family life, and a whole lot of learning — this episode is for you.

This week, I’m joined by Ariel Perry, a Charlotte-based photographer specializing in senior portraits and branding, the owner of Legacy Studios in Durham, NC, and my wedding photographer. This conversation is honest, reflective, and full of behind-the-scenes insights into entrepreneurship, intuition, and choosing a life you actually love.

In this episode, we chat about:

What it was really like working together during my wedding — the good, the stressful, and why having the right photographer matters so much
The importance of staying calm, grounded, and supportive when things don’t go as planned
Ariel’s journey into photography and becoming a business owner and mentor to other photographers
Her transition from primarily shooting weddings to focusing more on senior portraits and branding
Why continuous learning — on your own and from others — is essential for growth
What I’ve loved about content coaching and empowering other women, and how I got here
Working with second photographers, mentorship, and watching others grow in their craft
Founding a photography and event studio in Durham and the intention behind creating that space
Lessons learned from owning a physical location and embracing it as an event space
Trusting your intuition and listening to nudges from the universe — even when you feel hesitant
Balancing owning multiple businesses while being a mom to two kids
Growing up around entrepreneurs and how that shaped Ariel’s mindset
Why being a business owner is both a gift and a challenge — and how you really do get to choose your life
The one trait we believe every entrepreneur needs
Learning how to rest, set boundaries, and not do the most all the time
The importance of a supportive partner and village — in business and parenting
Applying lessons from one business to another and what it feels like to rebuild community in a new place
How reading and self-education have supported Ariel’s growth as an entrepreneur

Connect with Ariel on: Instagram and her website

Check out Legacy Studios (Ariel's photo and event studio in Durham, NC): Instagram and website

Grab a ticket to our Denver event on March 26th: Pour Into Your Content 🍷 A relaxed afternoon of content planning, legal clarity, and connecting with other women over a glass of wine. Thursday, 3/26. 4-7pm. Littleton, CO.

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Growth, Intuition, & the Reality of Creative Entrepreneurship with Ariel Perry