Ann Young is a writer-photographer based in NY with 18 years of experience. Since graduating from New York University, she’s worked as a photographer and freelance retoucher. Ann teaches beginning retouchers how to use Adobe software for photo and video post-production. Fix The Photo is the most trusted agency in the online photo retouching business since 2003.
She is the Co-Inventor and CEO of Fix The Photo. Blogger, teacher, leader, digital nomad.
What is Fix The Photo all about?
Fix The Photo was the result of observation and experience. Even while studying in NUY I noticed the lack of professional online support for those who wish to retouch their photos. Being of the entrepreneurial spirit I just knew that I had to do something about it. I worked closely together with my partner and co-founder to invent Fix The Photo. The company started very small but always with a big goal: global awareness.
The beauty of photos is that they don’t have any language. I wanted to marry my passion for travel and photography in a professional domain. Fix The Photo is simply that: fixing your photo. Being able to work while traveling and help people all over the world fix their photos, has been a huge enjoyment for me these past 18 years.
How has the pandemic affected you or your new business?
We thrived due to the pandemic. Personally, I was grounded to my NY apartment, the prohibition of traveling affecting my soul, but luckily I was able to distract myself with work and travel through the photos of others. During the pandemic, everyone was at home. And often that meant heading to the attic and cellar to root out old photos. People took trips down memory lane rather than physical outdoor adventures. Wanting to preserve these memories digitally they sourced online photo retouching companies, such as Fix The Photo. We had a lot of orders, I am very grateful for that.
What was the biggest problem you encountered starting up and how did you overcome it?
For me, it was the physical setting up of the website. You can have a great product or service but if you don’t have a great website then you are not going to get the business you need to succeed. Even if you excel at SEO and get your website ranking number one, a shoddy website will not attract loyal customers. I reached out to a friend from the university to ask them for help. I didn’t have the budget to create a website so we did an exchange of services. This was at the very beginning, 18 years ago! It was good to do the exchange because now I provide a steady line of work to my old friend for all our website needs, paid!
What were the top mistakes you made starting your business and what did you learn from it?
Not affecting a full competitor’s research. I really believe that I was naive at the beginning, believing that I was the only entrepreneur to think of this idea and my idea was best. If I had done a deeper competitor research at the very beginning I would have discovered my niche and add-on services – we also provide Photoshop software training.
Competitor research is important for your niche, which organically feeds into your SEO. What keywords will you be aiming for. These keywords are imperative for your website content and ranking.
What is one thing that you do daily to grow as an entrepreneur?
I keep a gratitude journal and I divide it into two categories: personal and professional. I write each day five things I am grateful for personally and professionally. Writing out what I am grateful for professionally helps keep me grounded in my career. Overlooking the smaller details can harm your company in the long run. Being thankful for the little things, and writing about them, helps us remember them.
How do you manage running a business while traveling?
Using project management software has facilitated traveling and running a business. Once I have everything organized and assigned in ASANA then I am happy. ASANA wasn’t always around though! Prior to 2008, my company wasn’t so big that I needed a huge project management software. I organized everything in an excel file. Each customer had a tab where I recorded everything from conversations to prices.
To successfully travel and run a business you need a good internet connection. When you are booking your accommodation not only confirm with the hotel or hosts that they have good WiFi, but check old reviews on the websites. I have been saved a couple of times thanks to old reviews complaining about the bad or nonexistent internet connection. There are many places all over the world that want you as a guest no matter the cost. They will lie and say they have WiFi but when you arrive it is coincidentally down.
What are three books or courses you recommend for new entrepreneurs?
These three books has helped me so much:
- The Introverts Edge: How the Quiet and Shy Can Outsell Anyone by Matthew Pollard and Derek Lewis. This book helps anyone make a sale, especially people who are not aggressive salespeople. I am an introvert, or at least I am not aggressive when trying to sell my service. This book is a fantastic help and a need for any entrepreneur wishing to start out.
- Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh. This book is amazing to truly understand how placing customer service and your staff as a priority can help your company build more long-term profits
- Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins. The best book to help you set up your business with the intention to lead and be successful for generations, not just for the current CEO.
What was your first business idea and what did you do with it?
My first business idea was to retouch photos, exactly what Fix The Photo offers today. Photography is my passion and I discovered I was quite diligent with retouching software. It was family members who first showed me the need. Rooting out old photos they wanted to preserve digitally light the bulb in my head. That idea has been the foundation of my business, which is still thriving today after 18 years.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
I am learning a lot, always, about business administration and HR. I had no experience at the beginning in these sectors but they are instrumental in the success of any business that wishes to scale and be globally recognized.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?
I wish I knew that it was going to be like three full-time jobs! This is why it is important that you set off to build a company in an area that you enjoy and are passionate about. When you are working in an industry that you thoroughly enjoy it won’t feel like work. I worked a lot in the early days, even from the exotic beaches of Koh Phangan!
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Strong, relevant content. To keep constant communication with your customers helps generate new business with existing customers, and also boost referrals. You should aim to have your website as a platform to sell your product/service and also to be a source of education for internet users in your niche.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
Website development and signing up for an email marketing platform. Klaviyo is great as it is free for a limited number of subscribers and campaigns so best to sign up with them from the get-go. Website services will be integral to building your online presence, building your brand, and generating awareness of your company.
What’s your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Find your niche and go for it! If you feel that the market is already saturated then dig deeper and discover your angle that will help you win your market share. What you shouldn’t do is get discouraged. If you have an idea then that means that someone has a need.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
The Pomodoro Method. Work for twenty minutes, take a break for 5 minutes, work for 20 minutes, take a longer break, so on and so forth. This method allows me to prioritize my tasks and get goals completed without procrastinating and losing motivation.
How do you personally overcome fear?
Knowing that I am helping people all over the world reconnect with their old memories and make new ones. This really helps me build my confidence and overcome fears.
- Email Marketing: This is great for repeat customers
- Word of mouth: Relatives are very happy to share our service among each other, especially when providing a referral incentive.
- SEO Link Building: Guest Posting on other websites is a great way to build traffic to our website.
How can readers get in touch with you?
We are an online company but we do have an office in New York. Although, it may be hard to find me there since I love to travel so much! Typing “Fix the photo” into your search bar will have our company pop up, I have no doubt. It would be a pleasure to help you with your project!
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