Diversity of Skills Equals Assurance: Your Career Doesn’t Have to Take a Planned Path
I started writing this introduction three different times, and then deleted it, and then rewrote it, and finally, here we are. You see, this guest blog with my friend, and incredible career woman, April O’Meara has taken a twisting and turning path from the start.
We first interviewed when she was in transition from one career to another, and in that time so much changed. The whole world changed. Now here we are, post coronavirus, and mid-quarantine lockdown. Businesses are struggling. People are losing their jobs, and the whole world is changing.
But what’s beautiful in all of this chaos is the fact that we are still here. We are standing together (even if it’s in our separate spaces), we’re still able to support each other, and that, more than ever is what I feel passionate about, and want to do for women in my community, and women around the world.
I’m so grateful for the time the guest post took to evolve, because, now is the time for all women (and men) to look at their career path and skillset, get creative, and figure out how to diversify their talents. We can withstand, but we’ll all need creative thinking to do it. April O’Meara has the perfect story for this concept. Her career has taken anything but an expected path, and the flow of her professional life is what makes her such a warrior and incredible example to women.
I’m honored to have had the opportunity to work on this piece with her. So without further ado, let’s get to know April!
April O’Meara owns O’Meara Photography in Bend, Oregon
EM: How did you get started in your career?
Admittedly, I’ve always followed my curiosity rather than having a set plan and monetary goal. It’s led me down some very interesting paths, but it hasn’t been a straight road. It’s been rather dizzy in truth. In my 20s, I went to graduate school with the intention of becoming an applied anthropologist and working for a research firm or NGO (Non-governmental Organization). As an anthropologist, I had wonderful experiences traveling around the world and meeting incredible humans along the way. In studying cultures, I became more interested in individuals, rather than systems. I’ve always been ‘individualistically minded,’ honoring and finding the uniqueness in others, is both a strength and value of mine. I realized a traditional career in anthropology wasn’t the path for me. The fabulous thing about having a background in anthropology is the tools I learned were very applicable to marketing - an industry that always fascinated me. Spoiler alert! That’s the career I landed in.
Because I can easily spot what makes a person or company different from their competitors, marketing was a natural fit for me. In my 30s, I pursued a marketing career in a design and strategy firm and then within a nonprofit. I worked at the same nonprofit for over 7 years, eventually becoming the Executive Director. A role I recently left to start O’Meara Photography, my own commercial photography and brand strategy company.
I took the leap to entrepreneur-ism because I enjoyed the independence my last role gave me. And I knew that I had developed a new level of confidence and discipline that would carry me. I’m at a point in my life where I see that time is precious and dreams are as well. I knew it was time to seriously pursue my first love, photography. I believe that if you talk to the universe it will give you answers. And over and over I received the same message. That kind of clarity doesn’t always come, but when it does - grab it.
EM: How has your career evolved?
As I’ve progressed in my career, I’ve become savvier in identifying my own strengths and how to market them. My previous roles were perfectly suited to what I wanted to learn, how I wanted to push myself, and who I was at the time.
Now, commercial photography marries all that I loved and learned in my past positions - collaboration, research, strategy, technique, design, etc. I work to support incredible founders and professionals tell their brand story and identify their uniqueness. All of my projects are collaborative, the planning process is just as important as the shoot day. Every company has goals and it’s up to me to facilitate how imagery can meet their goals and move their audience. I use my anthropological research background to acquire the information each photoshoot needs to be successful. I’m full of questions - one of my favorite questions to ask business owners is “How do you want this photograph to make people feel?” You can get to someone’s “why” fairly quickly. Identifying the ‘why’ and photographing with intention creates an incredible outcome.
EM: What are the 3 most challenging things you’ve faced in your career so far?
Starting my own business! Why is it always harder to do the thing you love? Maybe it’s because you have more to lose. I’m enjoying the journey!
Managing people is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But it’s one of the most valuable tools and experiences I’ve ever gained. You learn an incredible amount about yourself - what your weaknesses and strengths are. And if you’re a good manager you work on your weaknesses, you capitalize on your strengths, and you build a team that makes you obsolete.
I’m often underestimated as a petite woman who looks young. As humans, we love to put each other in boxes - “you’re the smart one”, “you’re the pretty one”, “you’re the tough boss”, it goes on and on. I’ve met a lot of skeptics, because like a lot of us, I don’t fit in the box that society would place me. We’re all much more complex. I’ve found that if you confront the naysayers respectfully rather than digging in your heels and setting on a path to prove them wrong, it’s much more successful and you both become better for it. I’m not saying I’m a saint, I’ve been mad and resentful, but it never served me.
EM: What inspires you to keep going?
I feel a deep sense of responsibility to live to my full potential. I think it’s rooted in both fear and love.
Fear, because I really don’t want to look back on my life and say that I didn’t live with true authenticity and courage.
And love, because I have so much respect for all the women who came before us. The women that fought for our position in the workplace, at the voting booths, and in the home. I believe it’s my responsibility to live the life I want. Think of all the women who never had the opportunity. If given the opportunity, the very least we can do is define what success is for us and get out there and work hard. And hopefully, make this world a kinder place for the next generation of women.
EM: What do you think women starting their careers need to consider or plan for?
Get cozy with failure and frustration. Failure is key to doing anything great. Just study the greatest inventors, nothing is accomplished without frustrating failures.
Imposter syndrome is real. Get ready for it. I think we all walk around wondering if we’re good enough. You are good enough! Own who you are and be open to learning how to become better.
Identify your core values, and align yourself with a company, team, and clients that share those values, you’ll be truly successful.
EM: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
I would love to look back in 5 years and see that my dreams for my business came to fruition, but looked different than I thought imaginable. And that the businesses I’ve worked with deeply benefited from the partnership and those partnerships are longstanding.
EM: If you could give your younger self 3 important tips about work life or home life what would they be?
Worry less
Be authentic and be proud of what makes you different
Have gratitude
EM: Do women in the workforce still face discrimination? How?
No question, discrimination in most evident in pay differential.
There’s so much to contend with as a woman. Sexual harassment is a constant possibility and judgment about family and work/life balance. I believe the situation is getting better, for sure. But only because a lot of women and men believe and work hard for equality. We have many more miles to walk…
EM: What are you passionate about doing when you’re NOT working?
Being outside, surrounded by nature with no screens in sight. And creating! I love to knit, sew, play piano, and write. I’m trying to get a children’s book published now. And my husband and I are building content to launch a gardening blog.
Who are the 3 women that inspire you most? Why?
Wow, there are so many women who inspire me, including my wonderful mom who was a kick-ass executive in the 80s. However, lately, these three writers have been instrumental in my personal and professional development:
Elizabeth Gilbert - I adore her approach and theory to fear and creativity. I’m a terribly anxious person. Her book “Big Magic” has given me so many tools.
Mary Oliver - I love, love, love her writing! I completely relate to the feeling of wanting to be surrounded by nature. In her lifetime, she showed so many of us how to have a conversation with the natural world. I think a relationship with nature is the most important relationship we can have.
Brené Brown - Finally, someone showed American culture vulnerability is strength and courage. Heavens…bless that woman.
EM: What scares you the most? (can be a physical object, idea or goal)
I fear that my want of “perfection”, whatever that even is, will hold me back from doing what I’m meant to do. On a daily basis, I give myself permission to fail and be mediocre for the sake of living to my full potential.
EM: How do you start your morning?
I’m a seasonal creature, my routines are always changing with how warm or cold it is. But I love to start my day by tending to the needs of my fur-babies and then sit on the couch with a cup of tea. On my best days, I try to have a ‘no screens before breakfast’ rule. I start work early. Morning is my sacred productive time.
EM: What’s your evening routine?
When my husband and I get home from work we make a cuppa tea and talk. This is my favorite time of day. We call it “deep tea” because more often than not we try to solve the world’s problems by the time we finish the cup.
Then it’s on to dinner and walking the dog. I try to turn off all media and screens an hour before bed and stretch or my busy mind keeps me up.
EM: Where can our readers get in touch with you?
I would love to connect with you all! My website is currently under construction, but you can find me on Instagram @omearaphotography, Facebook @omearaphotographyaprilomeara or shoot me an email at april@omearaphotography.com
A little bit more about April O’Meara:
As a commercial photographer specializing in brand strategy, I’m passionate about working with your company or organization to capture the uniqueness of your brand, inspire your audience, and ensure that you stand out from competitors. I believe that strategy and planning are just as important as the photo shoot, so we’ll invest time beforehand to make sure we reach your goals.
I hold an M.A. in Applied Anthropology with an emphasis in Visual Anthropology. Over the last 15 years, my work has taken me across the world and close to home in marketing companies and social service agencies. You'll find me happily at work on a full-day location shoot or alone in my studio with a product and a podcast to keep me company.
My mission is to be constantly developing meaningful partnerships. Let’s connect! I’m looking forward to meeting you and hearing about your incredible organization.
I’d like to personally thank April for her creativity, support and willingness to be featured in the stories on the Entreprenista Mama blog.
Are you interested in being featured on the blog? Drop me a message at lis@summarycontent.com, or reach out through the EM website. I’d love to hear your story!
xoxo
EM 💜
