Irene Suchocki is an amateur, turning professional photographer who has been making money online selling her photographs for the past eight months. She has become so successful at it that she has been able to quite her well paying job to focus exclusively on her photography business. This interview was conducted vie email May, 2008. ———–

From Small Beginnings: Where abouts in the world do you live?

Irene Suchocki: Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

fsb: What is the product or service you are using as a means for making money online?

IS: I’m a photographer. I sell fine art prints of my photographs.

fsb: What first got you into making money on the web?

IS: A few years ago I started posting some of my photographs on Flickr (a photo sharing social networking site). This introduced me to a  community of photographers who commented on my work, and whose work I  commented on. This encouraged my interest in photography. After a  while, people started asking if I sold my prints. Initially, I wasn’t  interested in doing that, but eventually I set up a website. I then  opened a storefront on Etsy, a marketplace for handmade goods. Sales  slowly started to build, which encouraged me to take the whole endeavor more seriously.

fsb: How long have you been “working the web” on your own?

IS: I started selling my prints in February of 2007.

fsb: How did that first “A HA!” moment come about when you realized you could make a living online?

By early 2008, my sales had picked up to the extent that I was making about 50% of my day job salary (as a Technical Writer) through print  sales. I then realized that, at the very least, I could switch to  contract writing, and work only part time, which would allow me to  devote much more time to photography and my budding business.

fsb: Did you have any specific education, knowledge or skill-set prior to your using the web as a means to make money?

IS: No. I am a self-taught photographer and have also figured out the business of internet sales on my own.

fsb: Were you always interested in computers?

IS: I’ve been a Technical Writer for (gasp) almost 20 years. So computers are second nature to me by now, which I think is one reason that I’ve  been able to succeed on the Internet. Technology was never an  obstacle. In fact, I think in my case, it made it easier. I’m not the  type of person to make cold calls and knock on doors.

fsb: How did you go about learning what you needed to know to make money online?

IS: I just dove in and started doing it. Initially, it was purely a hobby and selling prints was a way to make some extra money to pay for my  “photography habit” (lenses can get quite expensive). But I did learn  a lot by example. By finding other people who were doing something similar and seeing what they were doing that seemed to work well. Etsy has been a big part of my success online, but it’s now time to branch out and be more proactive in seeking out new markets and business.

fsb: Are any of your friends or family involved in the same kind of business you are?

IS: Nope.

fsb: How do your friends and family relate to your using the Web/Computer to make money?

IS: I think that most of them are rather impressed that I’ve managed to come as far as I have (to the point where I’m actually quitting my day job) in a relatively short period of time.

fsb: How long was it before you were able to quit your day job?

IS: I’ll be quitting at the end of May, which makes it 1.5 years after I started selling on the Internet.

fsb: What type of marketing are you using to promote yourself?

IS: I promote myself actively on Etsy (by purchasing what are called Showcases - these are one-day advertising spots). I’ve also advertised on a number of design blogs.

fsb: Was there one definitive product or individual that made you realize that you could make a living by using the web?

IS: I think it was seeing that a number of people were making very good sales on Etsy. But I think it was mostly the gradual increase in my own sales over time which lead me to that conclusion.

fsb: What was your biggest mistake?

IS: Not spending enough time coming up with a name/identity for my business. Once you’ve started using one, it’s very hard to change it.

fsb: If you could do some things over again what would they be?

IS: I think that I might have waited a little longer to develop my style and direction as a photographer. When people visit a shop, they like the products to have a consistent look and feel. I’m still experimenting a lot as a photographer and so I feel that my style isn’t as well-defined as other photographers.

fsb: Do you think that just anyone can make money online or does it take a “Special” person or personality?

IS: I think it takes certain skills and certain personality traits. I think those people who think they can just put up a website and have people beating down their doors will have a rude awakening. You need to be driven, be able to live through the ups and downs of busy versus slow times, be able to seek out new markets, and be willing to learn by trial and error. The funny thing is, I wouldn’t have thought that I had what it would take to succeed, but I surprised myself and found that I do.

fsb: Any words of advice to those thinking about doing this?

IS: I would say make sure that you love what you’re doing because it’ll take a lot out of you.

fsb: How has all this changed your life?

IS: I have always regretted that I never found my passion in life and, therefore, wasn’t able to follow it. That has finally changed. I found it later in life, but I did find it. I will finally be able to spend my days doing the thing that I love. And that is really amazing to me.

fsb: What do you enjoy doing when you are not on the computer?

IS: Yoga, reading, going to movies. None of which I have had much time for lately since I’ve been working a day job plus starting my own business. I’m looking forward to being able to more of these things once again.

fsb: How easy/hard is it to balance work, life and family while working from home?

IS: For me, it’s been difficult and exhausting. That whole balance thing is something I need to work on.

fsb: What plans do you have to maintain or expand your online money-making activities?

IS: I will continue to advertise on blogs. I plan on being more proactive in finding other places to sell my prints (such as contacting galleries and boutiques). I may also open a second Etsy shop at some point.

fsb: Favorite quote?

IS: “Follow your bliss” - Joseph Campbell

fsb: Thanks Irene for taking the time to chat with www.fromsmallbeginnings.com. It is greatly appreciated.

IS: My pleasure Lyle and I wish you much success with this site.

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