We had the good fortune of connecting with Mae Grace and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mae, did you self-fund your business or did you have investors fund your business? If you could go back, would you do it differently?
Mae Grace LLC is 100% self funded! When I first started this whole dream of owning a business and capturing people’s most important moments, I realized just how vast of a dream it actually was financially and what all it would require of me. Owning a business isn’t for the faint of heart, that’s for sure! I worked three jobs (one full time and two part time) for the first year and a half of my startup, just to be able to afford equipment and education required to get the business off the ground. I’d get up early in the morning and go from one job to the next until late in the evening, come home, do online classes and learn all I can, sleep, and wake to do it all again. I worked 7 days a week, rarely ever having a day off, and you know what? It was worth it. Not only did it prepare me financially, but this also prepared me for the hard work and long hours that owning a business would require. Being a business owner requires risk. It requires guts, and it requires determination to wake up early and push hard for what you want, no matter what. It was exhausting, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The thing I am most proud of is how my business has been able to survive and grow, even in the worst of times–and there have been some rough times. I’ve had to move my business from one state to another, then unexpectedly to the other side of the world and back, restarting from the ground up again. Somehow, no matter how scary and wild the ride, I’ve been able to remain strong, overcome obstacles, and continue to grow this dream. At each stage when it seemed it couldn’t get any harder, I’ve grown even more. Now, being able to work in my home state, near my family, but still keep my business afloat in 2 other states is pretty awesome! I have my amazing associate shooters to thank for this! My one person little dream has turned into a multi-state team of strong and talented women. The biggest lesson I’ve learned through all of it so far has been when it gets hard, push back even harder, because it will be worth the hustle if you’re dedicated to making it work!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I just love Atlanta! It’s such a fun, eccentric, unique place, full of every kind of person you could imagine. An awesome day would probably begin with a trip to Kennesaw Mountain for a morning hike, then to a J. Christopher’s restaurant for breakfast. They have the best skillet breakfasts! We might then explore some historic areas around the city, such as the abandoned Coca Cola Mansion or take a stroll around Centennial Park or even hike down to the ruins at Sope Creek, in Marietta. Of course, we’d have to visit Tin Lizzy’s for a delicious lunch of tacos and salsas and maybe even a jalapeno margarita. We might even find ourselves marveling at the beautiful fish at the aquarium. Lastly, we’d have to visit Little 5 Points and do a little shopping at The Junkman’s Daughter and enjoy the unique scene around the area. There is just so much to do in Atlanta!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If I think about my success both personally and professionally, the one main person that comes to my mind is my mother, Daphne. I still remember the day I decided to make this dream a reality, and she was there. She has always pushed me to work harder and strive for my best. She has always supported me, no matter how wild the dream. She has been my shoulder to cry on when times have been the toughest and my sounding board to bounce ideas off of. My mother has been my rock. I have no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.

Website: www.maegrace.photography
Instagram: www.instagram.com/maegracephoto
Twitter: www.twitter.com/maegracephoto
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maegracephoto

Image Credits
Photo of me by Thistle + Wood Photo. All other images taken by Mae Grace LLC.

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