Franchise case study
Marisa Taylor, Barrett & Coe, Bath
I realised after my first son was born that I didn’t want to travel for my work and that going part-time meant a step down on the corporate career ladder.
I had previously had a career in manufacturing and engineering, IT in the banking industry and consultancy in support services.
I wanted to find something that would fit in with family life.
I had always enjoyed taking photographs and interacting with people so started to investigate photography courses on the internet... top of the page on Google were Barrett & Coe and from the beginning everything seemed to fall into place!
I started the Portrait course in January 2007 and the Social course in July 2007 and gained a Grade 1 (the highest grade) qualification in both (having badgered most of my friends and family for practise shots for homework!) I took up the franchise for Bath & Somerset area in August 2007 knowing that I wanted to “get going” straight away rather than waiting until the Social course was complete. This paid off straight away as I booked two weddings from Barrett & Coe leads before I had finished the wedding course!
My intention has always been to run a photography business part-time (3 days per week) so that I can spend the rest of my time with my family. This meant that from the start I have spent the majority of my time taking photos of babies (9 days upwards!) and meeting new mothers… having small children myself immediately shows them that I understand what having a baby is like, and they do appreciate that.
During late 2007 and 2008 I worked predominantly from home and took photographs on location or at the customer’s house – you certainly get an insight into people’s lives by visiting them at home!
In July 2009 I opened a small studio in Midsomer Norton, near Bath.
I can honestly say I don’t have a bad day as each one is different and there are so many fantastic people (adults and children!) out there to meet.
I love the balance of running my own business, but being part of Barrett & Coe and being able to learn from the best. Most importantly though, I love the reactions that
most of my photographs and being able to give people lovely photographs of their children.
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