Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
I am an IT auditor with a creative outlet by way of my business streetstyle fashion blog BusinessChic (http://www.BusinessChic.com.au) where I share my photographs of stylish professionals on their way to work to give the rest of us ideas of what we can wear in our respective workplaces.
I also offer a professional profile photo service where individuals who like my photography style can engage me to take photos of them to use to promote themselves online e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter, or their own business website. Visit this link if you are in need of professional but personable looking profile photos: http://businesschic.com.au/services/ !
Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?
I am interested in fashion and personal style and am keen to show busy professionals how they can update their corporate and personal image with inspiration from each other as well as pieces from the bevvy of Australian fashion and design talent around.
Joyce Watts, the owner of CycleStyleI started up the BusinessChic professional photo service as I believe that it’s important to make sure that you are putting your best (and authentic) face forward to promote yourself online, particularly as you never quite know who is looking you up on the internet and where the next opportunity is going to come from!
Where do you get your inspiration from when you photograph?
I always have my camera on me so that I can photograph the men and women around town whose workwear catches my eye.
What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?
Hungry, interested, random, busy and funny.
Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?
My first job during high school was to help an entrepreneur package her self-made novelty products. I got paid $6 an hour and learnt a lot about how important presentation is to make your product stand apart from competitors in the market. That has influenced how I see workers – individuals who must be good at their jobs but also self-brand effectively to make themselves memorable, particularly in the competitive global market.
Describe a typical day in your work?
More often than not, being a street style photographer means paying attention to the every day and filtering through the hundreds of people I see on my way to and from work to draw out those whose work attire catches my eye.
As a creative director, what is your biggest frustration?
Having to be all the things in my business. I enjoy being creative but need to make some time to seek out corporate sponsorship with say an airline, jobseeker website or series of hotels so that I can take BusinessChic to the next level.
Tell us about how you prioritise your work.
At this stage, BusinessChic.com.au is a hobby so it’s about sharing my photos of the business style inspiration I’ve captured on the streets.
Cheryl’s familyTell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?
Twitter – I follow interesting people who I see have interesting conversations with other interesting people. I try to join in conversations or attend Twitter meets like socialmelb.com Also I share my new work through my Facebook (personal and business) and Twitter pages.
What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?
A combination of “just do it” backed up with a sound plan on how you’re going to still pay off the mortgage…
What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?
I’m currently working on a range of products that I hope will fill what I see as gaps in the for-the-office-market. I’ve had a lot of positive feedback on the sample prototypes but my next challenge is to bring the products to market!
I’d love to publish a book of my BusinessChic photos that would also include comprehensive guides on the various workplace dresscodes (e.g. Corporate, Creative, Smart Casual, Work events) so that it is a helpful resource for new graduates and folks returning to work. Down the track, I would love if that it also provided a snapshot of what Australians were wearing to work in this time, as a reference point for future generations.
In a perfect world, I’d also love to get hotel and airline sponsorships so that I could photograph business chic in Japan, New York, Paris, Stockholm, Seoul, Rome!
What is your proudest moment so far?
Whenever a random stranger I meet tells me that they visit BusinessChic.com.au
Who do you most want to meet and why?
Karl Lagerfeld. I respect his body of work in fashion, film and photography and the diverse career he has built for himself. Plus we both have a thing for fingerless gloves.
What is the most important lesson in life that you have learned?
Pursue your passions to the very edge of your capabilities – Rufus Black.
What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?
I’m currently reading French Women for All Seasons by Mireille Guiliano. She is more well-known for her diet book “French Women Don’t Get Fat“ which I have not read myself. She was an senior executive and spokesperson for Veuve Clicquot and I really enjoyed another of her books “Women, Work & the art of Savoir- Faire: Business Sense & Sensibility” where she shares her experience as a professional woman climbing the corporate ladder while remaining true to her sense and sensibility.
Where do we find you and your products?
Website: www.BusinessChic.com.au
Styling and profile photo services: http://businesschic.com.au/services/
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BusinessChicTV
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BusinessChic
Do you have a special offer to the ArtSHINE community?
20% off my regular rates for professional profile photos that you can use to promote yourself online, just drop me a line at info [at] businesschic.com.au to make your booking by September 30, 2011 and mention ArtSHINE!
Usual rates
Images Source courtesy from Business Chic
Nice blog!
From Workwear