I have been a business owner in some form for the last 15 years and in that time I have learned that to create and grow a successful business you need 1 quality above all else – passion.

Passion drives you to not accept defeat, to get up every morning with a spring in your step and to believe it what you are doing.

Passion also attracts – because passion is a powerful energy that people hope will rub off on them and help create their own success.

Jayson Kingsbeer has this passion – a passion for his art – photography.

I was introduced to Jayson via a friend on Twitter. My friend suggested that Jayson would be a great story for BusinessBlogs.co.nz and after speaking with Jayson she was right.

Jayson, as a matter of interest, is currently 14 years old and balances his school commitments with his successful photography business.

His maturity and business focus is of a level that I expect from most 25 year-olds. Jayson’s business is so successful he has built up a loyal customer base with repeat business.

He uses social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook with such success that I have learned a few tips from him!

Sometimes age is not the issue when looking for a professional service – lack of passion is far more worrying.

Below is my interview with Jayson.

What inspired you to start a business at 14?

I have always been interested in business and combined my love of photography into a business. I also noticed that there was a lack of sport and event photographic coverage in Gisborne where customers could order their images online.

I researched the market and similar operations throughout New Zealand and started Gisborneʼs first online sport and event photo ordering website. I was then asked to photograph a wedding and after that I had noticed that there was a high demand for affordable, high quality wedding photography and bookings are rolling in!

So your business is providing professional photography services?

Yes. I photograph local sports and events and the images are uploaded online to kingsbeer.com where customers can browse and order prints and photo gifts. I also photograph weddings and have also worked with commercial clients.

How do you balance school and business commitments?

My business is normally run on weekends and after school, homework and schoolwork does come first. There are really two different sides to me they are School/ Social and business. My mates and people from school really do not see the other side.

What do your schoolmates and teachers think about your entrepreneurial spirit?

My mates think it is amazing that I can earn so much! My teachers are really supportive my science teacher always says ʻJust about every time I see you have that camera around your neck’

What current challenges are you facing with your business?

Transportation, as I do not have my drivers license and I have the opportunity to shoot so many events unfortunately I can not make it to every event I would like as I have to rely on others to transport me.

My age has been a barrier, as some people do not trust me even though they liked my work. The main photo lab I used went bankrupt and closed its doors and I had to think about that one for a while but luckily I found a local photo lab that took me onboard!

What do you love most about running a business?

I enjoy the services that I provide as the images are life long memories that are made to be treasured for generations to come. I also enjoy that I can earn money from my love of Photography.

As a business owner how do most people react to your age?

Shocked! I have had inquires from a few people who have been impressed with my work, however when I have informed them of my age they have been put off by it. This is my biggest hurdle to overcome. Even the new photo lab that took me on board that I had been contacting via email, didn’t believe that it was me that contacted them when I walked into the shop.

Who are the people that inspire you?

There are so many! I read blog posts and twitter posts daily from photographers and look at photos from weddings and commercial shoots daily that inspires me. A few people that have inspired me are Chase Jarvis, Yuri Arcurs, and Robin Ng and locally Kerry Marshall and Kerry Fox.

What would you say to all the young people who are thinking about starting their own business?

Go for it! If you have the knowledge of business and are surrounded by people who have business experience and can support you and give advice just go for it! Make sure you do your market research and get a good online presence.

Did you have some start-up cash for your business?

Zilch! I probably had about $20 which bought my first lot of business cards! My family has been really supportive of me.

Who does all the admin work for your business? Tax, bookkeeping etc…

I do most of the admin work with help and advice on tax and bookkeeping from my parents.

How as social media such as Twitter helped your business?

Social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn has been a huge help to me with my business as I have connected with amazing internationally recognised photographers and lots of New Zealand wedding professional’s, these people have been really amazing and supportive of me! I have also connected with company employees such as Jenny Cisney, Tina Clark, Jeffrey Hayzlett and Gord Weisflock from Kodak who have been really supportive of me and have all provided me with every piece of information I needed related to Kodak products.

When did you start on Twitter?

I started on Twitter in April 2009 and no surprises my first tweet was sent that same day and was about my business:

“I am photographing a wedding on the 18th April, very soon, Looking forward to it, And yes it’s another beach wedding ” – @jaysonkingsbeer, 9th April 2009 13)

What other social media channels are you using (LinkedIn? FaceBook?)

I am on just about every social media channel there is!
LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Digg, MySpace, Wikipedia, FriendFeed, Flickr and more!

Do you plan going onto tertiary education?

As a photographer tertiary education is not normally required as a portfolio is what gets you jobs as well as testimonials and awards. Becoming a photo lab technician/owner requires on the job training and I have already had a quick tutorial on a Noritsu Digital Mini Lab at the recently closed SpeediColor Kodak Express.

What are your ultimate business and life goals?

I really want to continue on doing what I am doing now as it gives me a huge variety of jobs to complete on a regular basis, It would be fabulous if I could get some major international events to photograph such as the Glastonbury festival and major sporting games. I would also really like to own my own photo lab.

Jayson can be reached on:

Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn: (Search for Jayson Kingsbeer)
Email
Website

Update for Sept 14th – Jayson on TV!

Click here to watch the interview on TV1

Note: permission for this interview was given by Jayson’s parents.