Detroit, Michigan: At one time Monica Morgan was like so many photographers -- just a local photographer. But something happened to her. She took a calculated risk and it paid off. And, then she got serious about running a business.

In this show you can learn many lessons about sole proprietorships, risk-taking, sharing, mentoring, being mentored, and chutzpah (even temerity). We also learn about the work of a local Small Business Development Center which is part of the US Small Business Administration. Monica got some sound advice; after just two years of working from her home, she opened her studio downtown.

Today, Monica runs a full-service photography studio and is at the top of her game. She is a photojournalist who contributes to Newsweek, Jet, the Detroiter and the Associated Press. Rosa Parks first commissioned Monica to do the cover for her bestseller, Quiet Strength, then she became Rosa's photographer.

We follow Monica's heart and explore just a few of the risks she took to build her business.

CONTACT:
Monica Morgan Photography
500 River Place Drive, Suite 5109
Detroit, MI 48207
Tel: 313.259.7005
Fax: 313.259.4454
Email: mmpdet@aol.com
URLs: Some of Monica's work

We invite your questions or comments.

• Family businesses: Many photographers work in malls to capture family portraits. Beyond the families coming through the malls, most every family-run retail store of America needs a professional photographer to document the family business history. Study these family businesses and think, "How important is it to document the history year by year?" Perhaps every business should be sold a specific day within their calendar to "document the business."

• NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS / LOCAL CHAMBERS. There are national trade associations for every industry and business sector. These associations are the most relevant resources for continuing education and networking for small business owners. We are not alone.
  
  Some of the industry types that heavily engage photography:
  Arts, Entertainment,
  Business Services,
  and Retail.

• SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION:
  Become a member of your local station. If you are already, great. If not and your business is doing well, consider joining your local station's Producers' Club (usually around $1000/year).

• GO FURTHER: Spend some time with the key points of the case study guide (just above in the green box) and each of the related transcript segments.

• That Short Photo Essay

Yes, We Know, Everybody is doing it: With digital photography, everybody has become a photographer! Yet, for weddings and special occasions most of us still hire a professional. If you are a professional who is thinking about quitting, join one of the professional trade associations and get some more ideas. See how others make it work: » Professional Photographers of America: the community of the photography industry since 1880. » North American Nature Photography Association: A brilliant story about people in love wth nature » University Photographers' Association of America: Engage your local colege or university, get a few jobs, and become a member! » International VR Photography Association: Members create and produce interactive, immersive images -- online imagination with images. » States Associations: Plus, every state has a professional photographers association. More...

• LOOK AT STEP 5: EMPLOYEES. Monica has hired others. Most photographers are sole proprietors. Maybe here is another key idea.

• WOMEN, WONDERFUL WOMEN: Look at all these faces of women who are making our world a better place. Look at this diversity, too!

• CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE: To find your local chamber, click here. Every business in every chamber needs a photographer for their web site, for the artwork on their walls, and for decorative arts within their homes.

• FIRST PRINCIPLES: Starting a business is the road to economic independence for most of us average people. Read a little more to see why incorporating a business keeps the passion of the American revolution alive!

• CASES BY BUSINESS TYPE. Click on the heading to find all the business types and then click on your type of business to check out those case studies.

• JOIN, JOIN, JOIN: Your professional associations in your industry are your key to continuing education, market research, collaborations, strategic partnerships, capital and so much more ... often you'll find that you enjoy like-minded people and many will become friends for life.

• ON OUR READING TABLE:
  Read The Wall Street Journal
  Read Inc Magazine
  Read Fast Company
  Read Fortune Small Business
  All of these publications get daily scrutiny at SmallBusinessSchool.