Think of me as your business strategist & BFF all in one ;) Some even call me their “business therapist.”
A recovered overspender turned Profit First certified business coach.
Hi! I'm Val.
I made a lot of mistakes in those first years (like, a lot of mistakes), but honestly, all those hard lessons ultimately led me to building a healthy business that actually pays!
And now, I'm Profit First certified and I help women like you (yes, even with a creative right-brain!) work your numbers around your life and experience the kind of financial freedom that makes all the hard work worth it!
I spent my first 10 years as a photographer overworking, overspending and learning a LOT about business the hard way. I had no clue how to properly manage my finances or really anything in my business for that matter.
… but I wasn’t always a business coach.
hey, y'all
ESFJ, ENNEAGRAM ONE, RELATOR, STRATEGIC, JESUS-LOVING BUSINESS COACH
Val here!
Growing up, I was the kid who was alllllways taking photos, getting disposable cameras and doing “model shoots” with my friends in elementary school.
Y’all, I actually thought wearing bandanas and
crouching on the ground was a great pose… 😂
In high school, I was the photo editor for the yearbook and wrote for the newspaper.
I continued my work on the newspaper as a freshman in college, where I learned how to use a *real* camera on manual settings for the first time (in about 5 minutes, by the way… and then was immediately sent on my first assignment LOL.)
I learned as I went, getting more practice by doing free photoshoots for friends and assignments for the newspaper. That next summer, I shot my first weddings, and from there, I “knew” I wanted to be a photographer and grow my own business.
My journey in business-ownership started as a wedding photographer.
I loved being my own boss—calling the shots, feeling inspired to create, and not even minding the longer work days making less than minimum wage (let’s not talk about that first $300 wedding) because of how fun it was. I was determined to become JUST like Katelyn James, my role model in the industry. More on that later.
Maybe they were for you, too.
Things were smooth sailing in the beginning
I spent those first several years as a photographer overworking myself and learning a LOT about business the hard way. I had no clue how to properly manage my time or my finances, and I literally paid the price (to the government in the form of back taxes… yikes.)
My burnout really came to a head one night in the Olive Garden parking lot of all places. I’ll never forget bawling my eyes out to my husband, desperate for a change. Clearly, I was a wreck.
After some major soul searching, and turning back to Katelyn James for inspiration, I finally came to a life-changing realization:
I didn’t want to be a well-known industry wedding photographer like she was.
Something had to give. Know the feeling?
What I actually wanted was to love people and serve them well in my business, and to teach other creative entrepreneurs how to do the same.
I didn’t want to be a wedding photographer, I wanted to be a business coach.
I didn’t want Katelyn James’ business, I wanted to feel fulfilled and inspire others like she did.
That was one of the biggest life lessons God has ever served up for me.
I help female creative entrepreneurs build the right business now, so you can live a healthy business always.
From the moment I had my first coaching session, I knew this is what I was called to do.
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER turned BUSINESS COACH
I teach you strategies that build a healthy foundation for your business—from time management and productivity to marketing, sustainable goal setting and growth, client experience, and YES, even finances—so you can open up brainspace (a.k.a. STOP freaking out about everything) so your creativity can actually flow again.
Some even call me their “business therapist” 😉
Think of me as your business strategist & BFF all in one
I’ll meet you in the mess of your business, guiding you to build it in a way that feels right for you inside and out—all while celebrating your wins along the way.
LET ME SHOW YOU HOW ⟶
Oh, and I’ll never hesitate to point you in the direction of what you’re actually aiming for if you ever start to veer off course.
I promise that it IS possible for you to feel healthier, happier, and empowered to love the business you run and the people you serve.
ASHLEY, LUXURY WEDDING PLANNER
"I call Val my business therapist because she is exactly that. Someone who can help guide me and my business in the direction that is right FOR ME and what I need. No outside motive or influence, you know that she is in it for you, she shows up for you, and you only. The trust I have built with in her is incredibly valuable to me."
"No outside motive or influence, you know that she is in it for you, she shows up for you, and you only."
You should be able to love the business you lead
I’ll help you build a business you love that allows you to serve your ideal client, and live the life you actually always dreamed of.
You shouldn’t quit your 9–5 just to work 24/7. Don’t you agree?
WANNA SEE IF WE’RE A GOOD FIT?
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