Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Aisthorpe.
Hi Kim, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For the first 5 years of my creative business, although I was booking jobs regularly and had great reviews from my clients, I had severe imposter syndrome. So much so that I always looked at photography as a “side hustle” and wasn’t sure if I could ever make a full-time career out of it.
You see, growing up, I had always been business minded. I got my first job at 16 slinging pizzas at a local place, and I remember during my interview when the owner asked me why I wanted to work there, my response was, “I want to see how a small business is run. I don’t want to work for a large corporation. I want to work for someone in my community where I can make a difference.” I later found out that that was why he hired me! Since then, I had always worked for small businesses in Marquette County, mostly in leadership and marketing positions, and went on to pursue a business degree at Northern Michigan University. Or so I thought. Two years into my prerequisites, I visited one of my high school business class teachers, and I was so excited to tell her about my career plan! She was supportive, of course, but then she said, “Kim, you are so creative; why aren’t you exploring that as a career?” My response was, “I’m creative? What?” (Okay, so maybe the imposter syndrome goes back a bit further, haha.)
So, after slightly panicking, I had a gut feeling that she was right, and I switched my major to Graphic Communications, got a minor in Business Administration, and taught myself how to use a camera for no other reason than I thought it would be a good skill to have. Fast forward to today, over 10 years later, where I combined my degrees, leadership experience, and creative skillset with my passion for connection and community to create not one but two businesses.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I got in my own way a lot! Before I went full-time with my creative business, I had always prioritized my employer’s needs. But slowly, I kept taking less hours at work and spending more time getting clarity on what it is I was truly meant to do. Whenever I struggled, I thought to myself “Okay, why doesn’t this feel good? What can I do to feel good?” And honestly, that’s how I made it through. I pivoted whenever something felt icky, owned up to anything I may have done that felt icky, and remained true to myself and honest with anyone I worked with. They say when one door closes, another opens, and in my experience that has been true. Once you get out of your own head, you can see the things that were always meant for you.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur, and I’ve fully embraced that title!
By Kimgirl is my OG company that I opened in 2010, where I specialize in visual storytelling through photography and design. As far as photography, I shoot intimate weddings and elopements, branding sessions and offer empowering boudoir experiences. I also design brand identities and create UGC for small businesses in beauty and wellness industry.
I have loved offering those services over the years, but there was always something missing… I was successful in my business, but I wasn’t involved in the community enough.
So, in 2021, I opened Studio South MQT, A Space to Create! Studio South is a natural light photography and content creation studio in Downtown Marquette that is available to rent by the hour or by the day. It’s a space where photographers, videographers, creators, business owners, or anyone who feels inspired can go to capture content whenever they feel like it, without the cost of overhead. Included in the reservation is use of the space and everything in it, including backdrops, studio lights, seating, props, and more. I invite whoever uses it to transform it into what is going to serve their creative vision best and simply ask them to reset the space when their reservation is over. It’s something that I wish I had available to me when I first started, and I’m really grateful to be able to offer this resource to the Marquette community.
In addition to studio reservations, I offer creative workshops and 1-1 mentorships for creative entrepreneurs.
At this point, I’m most proud of opening Studio South. It was very scary to me to have a brick-and-mortar business and overhead expenses and looking back; I’m so happy that I did!
I’m known as “that Kim girl” (for real), but aside from the name, I hope that people know me as someone who genuinely wanted to help people succeed.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Ask for help! Be kind to everyone. Invest in your education and continue to practice your craft. Never let anyone tell you something “isn’t a real job,” – and if you get stuck and are faced with a hard decision, go with your gut.
Pricing:
- Studio South MQT rental rates start at $40 for one hour
- 1-1 Mentor Sessions start at $200
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bykimgirl.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/bykimgirl
- Facebook: facebook.com/bykimgirl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimaisthorpe/
- Other: studiosouthmqt.com, facebook.com/studiosouth.mqt, instagram.com/studiosouth.mqt
