Why I Built a Boudoir Studio: My Boudoir Business Journey
Empowering Women Through Boudoir: My Journey, Lessons & Next Step
When I first stepped into a boudoir studio myself, I didn’t know I was stepping into a calling. That one decision changed everything—my confidence, my purpose, and ultimately my business trajectory.
In my recent interview on That Entrepreneur Show with Vincent Lanci, I dove into the raw truth behind entrepreneurship, scaling a million-dollar business, and the power of serving women through boudoir photography. Below, I’m pulling out the most powerful lessons for anyone listening—or considering their own bold leap.
The Origin Story: How Boudoir Became My Mission
I started as a wedding/family photographer. Then, almost on a whim, I booked a boudoir shoot for me. What I experienced was transformational. I left feeling more empowered, more alive, more aligned with who I really was. That moment planted a seed. I thought: If this experience changed me, maybe I can help other women feel the same way.
So, even though I’d been a stay-at-home mom for many years and had only dipped my toes into business-level risk taking, I took a leap. I secured a $25,000 loan. I rented a studio. I poured everything I had into creating a space for women to feel seen, supported, and powerful. (Read more about my story here.)
The Roadblocks That Refuse to Vanish
If there’s one myth I want to bust, it’s the idea that roadblocks stop once you're “successful.” That’s never the case. Even now, they show up—especially for those of us in creative, heart-centered businesses.
A competitor once asked her followers to leave negative reviews—overnight, I had hundreds of bad reviews.
My studio has flooded twice.
Women have asked for refunds.
These are not unusual stories. But here’s the mindset shift: don’t treat obstacles as signs to quit—they’re opportunities to evolve, sharpen your resilience, and double down on your “why.”
Confidence Isn’t a Gift, It’s a Muscle
Women, in particular, are conditioned to put themselves last. Entrepreneurship forces you to flip that narrative. You must learn to claim that you are the one who can deliver value. You must learn to advocate for your worth, to expect respect, and to trust yourself—even when it’s scary.
In the early days, I struggled to put a profitable price tag on my work—feeling I’d be selling out. It took time, trial, and tough conversations with myself to see that I deserve to be compensated for art, impact, and transformation.
Scaling Means Letting Go
If you want to scale beyond “you doing everything,” delegation is non-negotiable. But letting go is emotional. You’ll wrestle with fears: “Will they do it well? Will it represent me? What if it fails?” The secret is: there are people out there who can do parts of your business better than you, and it’s okay to pay for that.
Also: systems matter. Even if you’re woo-woo or “creative,” your business needs processes—contracts, workflows, journey maps, clear pricing. You can’t wing it forever and stay sane or profitable.
Speaking & Brand Authority
One of the powerful pivots for my brand was doing my TEDx talk. Not only did it stretch me personally, but it changed how people see me. Having “TEDx Speaker” in your bio gives instant legitimacy—especially in fields that might feel slightly taboo or misunderstood.
If you can speak (even locally), apply for stages, volunteer for panels—do it. Share your story. Show up.
Elevating the Luxury Experience
In boudoir, the experience is as important as the images. I designed rituals and touches to make women feel like queens—from name boards, to snipping tags off lingerie as a symbolic “release,” to limiting to one woman a day so every woman gets full luxury treatment.
It’s about creating a memory that outlives the session.
My favorite boudoir sessions? Women 40+. These women have lived, grown, overcome. They are ready to embrace their power, not hide from it. That’s an energy I love working with.
Advice for New Entrepreneurs Today
Don’t let perfection delay progress. Yes, you’ll always “improve,” but waiting for perfect is often just fear in disguise.
Follow the feeling you keep revisiting. That “nagging idea in your back pocket” might be your purpose.
Expect roadblocks. Build resilience. Use them as lessons, not stops.
What’s Next in My World
Serving more women in-studio and deepening my community offerings (self-defense workshops, local gatherings, donating to local causes and charities)
Mentoring & coaching photographers who want to enter boudoir
Speaking more broadly, sharing the intersection of art, empowerment, and business
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a personal transformation into a thriving mission-driven business, you’re in the right place.
👉 Curious to hear the interview in full? Watch/listen to the episode on That Entrepreneur Show.
📸 If you’re ready to experience a session I’d LOVE to chat with you and encourage you to take the Boudoir Style Quiz I designed to help you find your creative confidence!