Small Business Spotlight: Brittany Coffee Photography
Hi guys. Today’s Chief has a VERY special place in my heart and in my life. Brittany and I met last year and although we have only known each other a short period of time, it feels like we have been lifelong friends. Not only on a friends’ level but on a business level too. She is the best at helping to bounce idea’s and is always willing to offer genuine and honest feedback. She is the most humble + talented person I know.
Editors Note:
I've been holding onto this Interview for quite some time. I want to use this platform to help promote Brittany's new book, Tales & Traditions: The Steadfast Faces of Agriculture. Brittany has poured every ounce of her being into the making of this book and I am incredibly proud that she has allowed me to be such a small part of it.
The skinny on Tales & Traditions: Brittany interviewed + photographed several ranches and farms in the beautiful Midwest. She is hoping to shed some light and share the stories of those who are most often over looked in a hustling and bustling society. If you feel so inclined, please check out Brittany's website. She has blogged about each story; providing us with sneak peeks + snippets of what is to come in her new book, Tales & Traditions: The Steadfast Faces of Agriculture.
1. Tell us who you are, where you’re from and a fun fact or two. I am Brittany Coffee (now she is Mrs. Brittany Coffee Parker) and I call Gentry, Arkansas home. A fun fact or two...I showed cattle + ride horses but I'm terrified of chickens. Weird, I know. Also- somehow I've managed to never have a broken bone but I am probably the clumsiest person you'll ever meet.
2. Where did the inspiration behind your business come from? How did it begin? When I started my business at 16 I had no idea what I was doing. I just knew I loved taking pictures. The idea of capturing moments + memories forever is probably my biggest inspiration. Photos are history + tell stories. That's so important to me. Throughout college my business grew + eventually became my full-time career. I always said I didn't want photography to be my career but now that it is I can't imagine doing anything else.
3. What is the best part about being the BOSS? The best part about being my own boss is being able to make my own hours. If I want to have a long lunch break I can, if I want to take the morning off I can. I have these privileges but I don't abuse them. I know there is work to be done + always see that it gets done.
“These things I never thought I was capable of, I am doing every day, wholeheartedly.”
4. What drives you to pursue your passion each day? I am a passionate person by nature so I can't help but pursue my passions. For me to be able to combine my love of agriculture + photography into my Tales & Traditions project is a dream come true. In the sense that I never thought I would be writing a book, or having photos publish or running my own business for that matter. These things I never thought I was capable of, I am doing every day, wholeheartedly. I have such a phenomenal support system + having their support pushes me to be my best + work hard.
Photo by Megan Frazier Photography
5. What advice would you give to an entrepreneur just starting their journey? It's hard work, such hard work. Things will go wrong but things will also go right. It's crucial to stay positive, self-disciplined + fresh. It's so important to try new things, step out of your comfort zone + never stop working. Set goals, long term + short term, + work toward them every day.
6. What are your hidden superpowers? I make a mean salsa; I can iron jeans with the best of them + my ability to laugh loudly at the worst possible times is out of this world.
7. What is your favorite quote?
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend she should go ahead and be one" - Calamity Jane
"I hate rude behavior in a man, I won't tolerate it" - Captain Call in Lonesome Dove
8. What is bliss to you? Bliss is so many different things to me. Laughing on the front porch, jam sessions with all of the windows open, being surrounded by the people I love most, the feeling of finishing a good book, getting my fingers dirty from spring flowers, a good ride on my horse, a long walk with my pup, a fresh conversation with someone I look up to, camping, seeing new places. Bliss is laughing, reminiscing and telling good stories.
9. If you could meet anyone for champagne, who would it be and where would you meet? I don't know that Chris LeDoux would drink champagne but I would've like to meet him somewhere at a rodeo I'm sure. Maybe Louis Serpa, the first female rodeo photographer, but she preferred tequila to champagne, again probably meet at a rodeo somewhere.
10. What do you like to do in your "free" time? In my free time I like to do all of those things I listed that are blissful to me. I like to read a good book, surround myself with happy people, the people I love most. Sometimes that means being at the roping pen, a family function, camping on the river, or on the porch drinking a beer.
