Rustic Thyme Studios (February 2024)
What is Rustic Thyme Studios?
My name is Ashley Cauley and I'm a photographer who primarily specializes in newborn, milestone and family photography but also branding photography (headshots and product). I also sell prints of photos, which consists mostly of my husband's cows (you know, the fluffy, adorable ones).
What is your business’ story?
Honestly, this is a little funny and not a typical photographer's journey at all. I got my start photographing cows, like literal cows. Roughly eight years ago, my husband bought me a camera and told me to take pictures of the farm and the food I was making using things from around the farm. It wasn't too long until I started getting requests from friends to take pictures of their kids. Before I knew it, Rustic Thyme Studios was born and we were converting one of our basement bedrooms into a small studio. My business name, Rustic Thyme Studios, pays homage to how I got started (Rustic = Farm, Thyme = cooking).
I moved from my small, in-home studio into my first storefront space in downtown Belle Plaine in 2017 but remodeled and moved into my current commercial space in Oct. 2019. I am extremely grateful for my clients. My business truly wouldn't be what it is today without their sharing and referrals. I have lots of clients who have been to all three of my studios!
What is one obstacle you’ve overcome and what did you learn from it?
Honestly, I never envisioned Rustic Thyme Studios becoming what it is today. I work a full-time job, in addition to having my studio and a family so the biggest challenge is finding time for everything.
I pride myself on providing my clients with the best possible experience (from the initial inquiry through the delivery/ printing of their photo galleries). I personally email and talk with my clients and hand-edit every photo that goes out because I just haven't been willing to release that control. But I must balance that with 40+ hour work weeks in a career that comes with lots of night meetings and even more deadlines plus my two, young kids, husband and friends.
I seek out ways to streamline and organize certain parts of my business. I use a CRM (client relationship management) software that helps me organize and coordinate all correspondence, scheduling and financial aspects of the business. I supplement the software with others that allow me to organize the more day-to-day, or more like minute-to-minute, details so I don't miss a deadline!
Overall, the software has allowed me to streamline the mundane aspects of my business so I can focus on the parts that I love!
What advice do you have for other small businesses or someone wanting to start one?
Small business is not for the faint of heart. The average small business has a lifespan of 8.5 years (with 65% of businesses failing within five years). If it was easy, everyone would succeed. You have to seek out the parts of your business that you excel at and the parts that give you life and energy. Then you have to find ways to streamline or, in some cases outsource, the rest.
You, not your competition, have to define your worth. Competition will always exist and someone can always offer your service for less than you and that's ok. When you know your value, you can show why you are worth the investment. You can also network and find like-minded people to inspire you. I have been fortunate enough to find other photographers - many who have since become dear friends - to bounce ideas off of!
Finally, don't be afraid to be your authentic self because your business is, in fact, you. I got to a point where receiving inquiries became overwhelming and I was struggling to keep up with them. I decided to find a way to make it more fun so I started requiring a laffy-taffy joke (you know, the simple, child-like jokes) before an inquiry could be submitted. This unique touch gives my clients a look into who I am (and the experience I strive to provide) and has kept me squealing with delight when I get an inquiry! I love how creative my clients are with their jokes!
*Republished from direct communications.