Hello Designers » Entrepreneurial Women

Award-winning wedding and special occasions photographer Gina DeConti!

hellodesigners — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:00:35 +0000

Gina DeConti, Imaginative Studios

What do you do for a living? And is it the path you thought you would be on today?
I am a photographer and a graphic designer. Actually, I went to school for Illustration, Electronic Imaging and Photography so I always knew that I would mix these mediums in my career.

Tell us a bit about your average day.

My days really do vary. I juggle being a mom to my 18 month old son, being a wife, running my own business, and also working as a Design Manager. Most of actual shoots happen on the weekend. I meet with clients in the evenings and spend most days overseeing all the various aspects of the business.

How do you stay true to yourself as an individual in the business world?

I think the best piece of advice I give someone starting out is to not get too caught up in their industry. Try to focus on what it is that you do best. Don’t compare yourself to others. Find that one thing that makes your work stand out and work on getting better and better at it.

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years, in your business and personal life?

I see myself moving more in the direction of doing portrait work, which has already started to happen. In my personal life I’d just love to have a little more time to spend with family.

What kinds of clients or people do you want to work/collaborate with?
I currently enjoy working with anyone from the newly engaged to those expecting their first little ones. Right now I’m open to collaborating with anyone who is creative and passionate. It’s always been a joy to me to mentor new photographers and teach them the ropes.

What types are projects are you challenging yourself with these days?
I’ve just started doing a lot more shoots in the studio this past year. I’ve enjoyed working with backgrounds and props in a way that I never expected.

Because my website is about design and marketing, what companies or brands do you look up to in your industry? Why?
Grace Ormonde is the epitome of a luxury brand. I love what she has done with the design of her magazine and brand.

What is your single best piece of advice for women starting out in their own business path?
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t succeed.

Are there websites you would suggest as resources for women in business?
I actually read a ton of books and magazines about business while I was starting up. I always found Entrepreneur Magazine very inspiring and full of wisdom. I also made full use of industry specific forums and networking. A mentor would also be an invaluable resource for anyone starting out.

Thank you for contributing Gina- We love your work and hope to work together sometime in the future!

Women entrepreneurs, business writing and business travel all wrapped into one!

hellodesigners — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:45:00 +0000

Had a fantastic meeting today with Tiffany Meyers, Crescendo Apparel and A Virtual Certainty. Three women entrepreneurs who are making business happen! Tiffany is a freelance writer with a wealth of information and finesse in her writing style. She wrote this article about the designer, industrial designer Dario Antonioni, who is behind one of our favorite stores Flight001. Though we don’t like flying, shopping for modern and innovative travel products suits us just fine. They had a huge selection of music that is desperately hard to find any where else especially since Tower Records closed up shop.

Check out more of Tiffany’s work here. Enjoy!
images from flight001.com

Hey entrepreneurial ladies: Confidence, Poise and Marketing tips from 27 yr old Ivanka Trump

hellodesigners — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:51:27 +0000

Ivanka Trump was on Good Morning America today promoting her book, The Trump Card. Besides being beautiful, confident and enormously rich, she has gusto, flair and an entrepreneurial eye for business. I am impressed! Arianna Huffington, the co-founder and editor in chief of The Huffington Post is quoted in her book saying

“For a man to be considered cruel he has to be Joe McCarthy and all a woman needs to do is put you on hold.”

Excerpt on 6 recipes for Success
The Trump Card on amazon.com