Happy Monday y’all!
We seriously hope your week is off to a great start! We are so lucky to have gotten the chance to chat with Stephanie Rhea Barcia, the owner of Stephanie Rhea Photography. Stephanie never fails to wow us with her incredible ability to perfectly capture the personality of her subjects in a single photograph. Keep reading to hear from Stephanie about her experience as a female entrepreneur in Mississippi!
We seriously hope your week is off to a great start! We are so lucky to have gotten the chance to chat with Stephanie Rhea Barcia, the owner of Stephanie Rhea Photography. Stephanie never fails to wow us with her incredible ability to perfectly capture the personality of her subjects in a single photograph. Keep reading to hear from Stephanie about her experience as a female entrepreneur in Mississippi!
| {Tell us a little bit about you!} I’m Stephanie. Mississippi native, Tupelo resident for most of my life. Married to Juan Carlos Barcia, mom to Micah and dog-mom to Zero, our rescue Pitt. I’m a collector of Vintage trailers-currently renovating 3 Airstreams, 1 Shasta, and 1 Spartan Mansion. {Tell me about your business!} My husband and I are both entrepreneurs through and through and have several businesses, but our primary business is Stephanie Rhea Photography. We are a full service studio-offering wedding, family, senior, as well as commercial photography. Right now, it is run by my husband, JC, and me. We of course, hire help as needed. |  |
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{What kind of inspirational women do you look up to?}
As an entrepreneur, I look to women who have far surpassed me for inspiration. I heard someone say that "if you are the smartest one or most successful in your circle, you are in the wrong circle.” That speaks volumes to me. I want to surround myself with women and lady bosses that will challenge me, inspire me, and not let me stay the same in any arena in my life.
{What inspired you to start your business?}
As a single mother for over 10 years, photography was my creative outlet, and while I worked numerous jobs to make ends meet (and support my photography habit), I came to a place where I felt that I needed to give photography my 100% focus or lay it down completely and get a “real job”. I’ll have to admit that it was a scary and even risky decision to pursue a creative field-especially with a child who depends on you. But, as fate would have it, I met a photographer from Boston, MA in 2004 that offered me an intern position for a year to perfect my technical skills and learn the business side of photography. And, because I’m a “yes” girl, I packed us up, and that is exactly what I did.
As an entrepreneur, I look to women who have far surpassed me for inspiration. I heard someone say that "if you are the smartest one or most successful in your circle, you are in the wrong circle.” That speaks volumes to me. I want to surround myself with women and lady bosses that will challenge me, inspire me, and not let me stay the same in any arena in my life.
{What inspired you to start your business?}
As a single mother for over 10 years, photography was my creative outlet, and while I worked numerous jobs to make ends meet (and support my photography habit), I came to a place where I felt that I needed to give photography my 100% focus or lay it down completely and get a “real job”. I’ll have to admit that it was a scary and even risky decision to pursue a creative field-especially with a child who depends on you. But, as fate would have it, I met a photographer from Boston, MA in 2004 that offered me an intern position for a year to perfect my technical skills and learn the business side of photography. And, because I’m a “yes” girl, I packed us up, and that is exactly what I did.
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{Can you speak to your experience as a female business owner in Mississippi?}
I am so fortunate that in my particular industry, often a female is the preferred contact. When we are working in Los Angeles, I go to as many female empowerment workshops/seminars as possible. Over the last few years, I’ve probably attended 10 or 12. One thing is for sure- The female force is on the rise…one phrase I hear often is “the force is female.” There is a global movement toward women in business, and as a female, it is a very exciting time to be alive.
{Is there any advice you would give to other aspiring female entrepreneurs?}
Keep learning! When you decide to turn your passion into a career, you are signing up for a lifetime of learning. Read books, listen to or watch Ted talks and podcasts. No one benefits from average. If you fail, learn from it, and move on. And, if you’re turning a hobby into a business, make sure you can make money in it.
I am so fortunate that in my particular industry, often a female is the preferred contact. When we are working in Los Angeles, I go to as many female empowerment workshops/seminars as possible. Over the last few years, I’ve probably attended 10 or 12. One thing is for sure- The female force is on the rise…one phrase I hear often is “the force is female.” There is a global movement toward women in business, and as a female, it is a very exciting time to be alive.
{Is there any advice you would give to other aspiring female entrepreneurs?}
Keep learning! When you decide to turn your passion into a career, you are signing up for a lifetime of learning. Read books, listen to or watch Ted talks and podcasts. No one benefits from average. If you fail, learn from it, and move on. And, if you’re turning a hobby into a business, make sure you can make money in it.
A{What’s your favorite thing about living and working in Mississippi?}
Mississippi is an ideal place to start a business in a practical sense, because the cost is significantly more manageable than in many other places. But, what is exciting is that I feel an atmospheric shift toward growth, and it is wide open for fresh ideas.
Stephanie is also the owner of "The Campertini," a 1963 Shasta Mobile bar, which will be available for your events this fall! You can keep up with Stephanie by following her on her Instagram accounts @stephanierheaphotography, @ohhippiedayfotobus,@thecampertini, @renovatethis.
To see more of Stephanie's work, please visit her website.
All photos courtesy of Stephanie Rhea Barcia of Stephanie Rhea Photography.
Mississippi is an ideal place to start a business in a practical sense, because the cost is significantly more manageable than in many other places. But, what is exciting is that I feel an atmospheric shift toward growth, and it is wide open for fresh ideas.
Stephanie is also the owner of "The Campertini," a 1963 Shasta Mobile bar, which will be available for your events this fall! You can keep up with Stephanie by following her on her Instagram accounts @stephanierheaphotography, @ohhippiedayfotobus,@thecampertini, @renovatethis.
To see more of Stephanie's work, please visit her website.
All photos courtesy of Stephanie Rhea Barcia of Stephanie Rhea Photography.
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