Time flies so fast sometimes, today marks the start of the second half of year 2017. Exactly a year ago, I also wrote something similar, with the title “Looking back at H1 2016” and there were so much anguish, hurt and disappointment at that point in time. I was down and stuck in the bottom of a rut, recovering and slowly getting myself out of all the things that happened to me.
It had not been easy at all, it was a very difficult period for me, I learnt a lot of life lessons and lessons taught by the society and economy. Thus, my route to recovery wasn’t as fast as I would like it to be. Taking small steps at a time to get myself back on track, I met with the loss of extended family members and close friends. I got a little bit shaken and deviated off slightly on my recovery journey.
Today, as I looked back on the first half of 2017, there wasn’t so much of anguish, hurt and disappointment. Instead, it’s a physically and emotionally tiring journey since I decided to start my own small business in photography services, a journey that maybe 80% or 90% of the friends/people around you that will not step in, whether to start a small business or enter into the photography business industry.
Being a one person business owner / photographer / story teller/ accountant/ administrative / marketing / social media / public relations, there are times whereby no words can further describe everything that you have to carry on the shoulders. Basically, I have to do everything myself until the business is stable.
Moreover, with the amount of disruptions and technological changes to our living and economy, things are constantly changing, sometimes too fast and too furious. On the other hand, changes and disruptions are incoming in the months and years ahead. Marketing directions change, styles and engagements change.
Over the past 6 months of year 2017, it had been a journey of building up the foundations and processes. Thus these affect earning revenue, not to mention how tough and challenging the current economic climate is and in the near future. Even though, the business is still in its infancy stage, I am trying my best to get it up and flying high.
Partnerships and collaborations, are two areas that I am looking at for the future, in this modern world of disruptions and changes, businesses need to help out each other more than ever before. Although not all businesses may see it this way, due to competition or products/services similarity, this would be helpful and ideal for different businesses to collaborate and partnership together in handling projects, business deals. This is the real Win-Win situation for all, helping each other to grow and expand their businesses and networks.
During the past 6 months, while there weren’t anger, anguish or disappointment that clouded me in H1 of 2016, this period had been at times very exhausting and stressful because I am running a one person small business. I am grateful for the help and support some of my friends gave me, from accounting/book keeping advice, business operations to networking.
I am also more appreciative of the surroundings, from family, partnerships, collaborations and friendships. I may not have the wealth and money, I always tell myself and remind myself to be down to earth, be humble and appreciative of the family, relatives and friends (only those that deserve your love, friendship and appreciation) around you. The loss of two relatives from my extended family in the past 8 months shaped me up most recently.
Life is precious, time is limited, treasure your loved ones. As the saying goes, YOLO ~ You Only Live Once, therefore, giving it all out and striving ahead. Whether I succeed or fail, the very least is that I have taken the first step since January 2017 where many many are afraid and will not even take the first step.
The first half of 2017 is now over, the second half of 2017 starts now. My journey is still a very very steep mountain to climb. Taking step by step, even if the future remains uncertain on all fronts, I must still continue moving forward, learning new knowledge and skills, gaining more experiences.
During a recent chat with my friend, she gave me this quote:
“Keep Calm and Keep Shooting”
Indeed very true and this brought me back to where I started off this year, why and what I wanted to start this journey.
Now to continue adding more photography works to photography business portfolio website at Tan Geng Hui Photography.