Courage to Do What You Love

“The saying holds true: ‘Do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,’” Michelle Dorminey of JMDorminey Photography tells PINK. But her road to success wasn’t easy: she worked a full-time job and helped her husband manage his company’s finances, all while launching her own photography business.

“As much as I enjoyed my job, I had a need to express my entrepreneurial side,” she says. “I was able to do that by starting my photography business.” But many women know ditching that steady paycheck for an unknown adventure is a gamble; especially risky in today’s uncertain economy.

How do you get there? The support of Dorminey’s friends, family and husband helped her find the guts to leave her corporate gig at Porsche and fulfill her entrepreneurial desires.

Before leaving corporate America, she spent “countless hours” honing her

photography skills – a transition that benefitted her in the long run. Today, Dorminey is growing her portrait business and has other ventures in the works.

If entrepreneurship sounds like it’s for you, Dorminey suggests you start saving now. “I saved six months worth of income and invested about $20,000 in photography equipment for a year before making the switch.” She adds that having industry professionals critique her work made her confident that her business could succeed.

Words of wisdom she keeps in mind? “My friend always tells me, ‘start off small.’ Businesses are a marathon, not a sprint.” Though she’s working longer days now, Dorminey says doing what she loves makes it all worth it.

Bonus PINK Link: Not sure how to fund your new business? Start here.

By Rachel Pomerance

“If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.” Geena Davis