We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Lynn Caudell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Lynn, how do you think about risk?
I’ve always viewed risk as a challenge and opportunity for personal growth. In order to exceed our clients expectations we are constantly fine tuning our services. At Arrowed Beginnings we strive to give our clients the best experience possible. I believe risks are essential to our creativity and vision. They allow us to create a unique and tailored experience for each client, and provide that something extra setting us apart from others in the industry. With so many companies to choose from, we routinely offer giveaways such as free sessions and always give complimentary consultations. This risk is a financial investment and time commitment that has no guarantee of a return. This creates new relationships and provides the opportunity to earn new clients and business. There is money on the line with our product and time spent. We believe doing this helps showcase our drive and provides our clients with confidence in our ability to push through and achieve their goals. Each risk is a leap of faith. Without our faith in ourselves and our business, Arrowed Beginnings would not be where it is today. Even if we are not 100% sure how to fully operate the idea or if all the moving pieces fit, we jump anyways. Having a great team behind my brand and constant encouragement is what motivates me. If I fail, I will get up and try again. Most risks require adjustments and the ability to take hits and learn from them. Looking back on where I started and where I am today, the company is vastly different. When we started this business, we took a risk by quitting our full time jobs to pursue our dreams. Every challenge, heartache, and lesson learned was worth it. I continue to grow individually and as a company everyday. I welcome the risks with a smile because ultimately by doing so it creates the best version of our business and ourselves.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Relationships with my clients and my passion to be creative keep me busy professionally. I have a zero chill mode when it comes to new ideas and tasks. I am a type 3 enneagram soooo…there’s that. However, each bride and groom that I get the pleasure of meeting become friends. We talk about their story and get to know more about each other. This leads to open communication until their wedding date and great conversations. Photography is another form of my creativity that keeps me busy. I love love LOVE to shoot. Any new rental inventory that comes in is so fun to stage and shoot. I also love doing family sessions as a way to be able to continue shooting while we are waiting out this pandemic.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I am so close to the mountains, there are several small towns and wineries to visit. The week could consist of hiking, eating some good food, and lots of wine. Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Kaya Winery, and Monteluce are a few of my favorite vineyards. Yonah has the most gorgeous and detailed tasting room that I have ever been to. Their staff is great and the views are breathtaking. Kaya Vineyard is a favorite of mine with delicious sandwiches on their menu, as well as suggested pairings of wine for each entree. Monteluce is like taking a step into Italy with their moss covered buildings and as with all the others, offers amazing views and a place to relax and unwind. Another item on the list would be hiking Yonah. The intermediate hike is a little more difficult than most, but once you get to the top, it’s completely worth it! If you’re looking for great places to eat, the square in Gainesville offers an amazing variety of unique restaurants. My personal favorite lunch spot in that area is Avocados with its fresh food and available outdoor seating. Dahlonega square takes the cake for the best small town spots. There are so many options for food and drink as well as shopping. It’s such an interesting town with so much history.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This is by far the easiest and most emotional question to answer! Lindsey Flanigan is my supporter, encourager, warrior, and the best of the best. Everyone needs a Lindsey in their life. Lindsey is the co-founder of Arrowed Beginnings. Even though she stepped back from ownership to start a new exciting chapter in her life, she still remains as the driving force behind what this business is today. She is the one who first mentioned to me that my personality would fit in the wedding world and believed in me. She even asked me to coordinate her sister’s wedding before having any experience. Words cannot express the amount of recognition she truly deserves. Lindsey is more of a behind the scenes personality and I believe that gets lost on others when I (the talkative loud mouth) always seem to be in action and directing. This is why I am able to take charge, because she is my backbone and provides a stable foundation! She is constantly lifting me up on my worst days and encouraging me when I feel like I may not be good enough. She is so crucial to who I am and what the Arrowed Beginnings experience offers.

Website: www.arrowedbeginnings.com
Instagram: @arrowedbeginnings
Facebook: www.facebook.com/arrowedbeginnings

Image Credits
All are my images