Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Donick.
Megan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From a very young age, I could be described as shy, sensitive, dramatic, and kind. I always loved being around family and friends and felt comfort in true quality time and laughing with those I love. Some things never change. Another word you could truly associate me with as well was a dreamer. I would watch the Wizard of Oz and create plays with scenes from the movie and add ‘red lipstick’ for the parts when the movie turned into color…that’s the drama in me from the ripe ole age of 4. I saw life through a lens that handpicked the prettiest of flowers, and even the hard parts were walked through seeing what ‘still is’ beautiful and blessed.
Over my adolescent and teen years, I was fortunate enough to have access to years of dance, creative writing classes, painting and creating in various ways…the things that make life so dreamy, you know? However, it was clear that the sentiment was ‘nobody makes a sustainable living being a creator, artist, dancer, and so forth. You see, I was a rule follower and never wanted to rock the boat. The shy and anxious parts of me won so very often. So as I moved into making choices in my life they fell in line with putting myself in a position to obtain a lifestyle and career that made everyone around me feel comfortable, except for me.
In college, I did show a little ‘rebellion’ and earned an associate’s degree in Interior Design. I then moved on to working towards a Bachelor’s in stage and set design. However, that anxious, rule follower side of me reared its ugly head one semester in and I changed majors to Human Development and Family Services (which in the long run was a great addition to my skill set, but felt like the ‘safe route’ at that time). My intention was to go on to teach preschool after completion.
So along I went on that path, and of course, many other life events came along the way. But I noticed about 4 years into this teaching world I was in, I craved more. I ‘saw’ more. I couldn’t articulate it, but it was there. Some days it showed up in panic attacks and others it came from dreaming of other ways to conduct my life. All of it, though, led to me starting down paths of MAJOR resistance (which you think would stop a girl), yet I promise you I wouldn’t be where or who I am today without going down these paths.
I’ll spare all the details, but after those initial years of career building, I dove DEEP into my love of dance, photography, creating, and writing as I moved through a few various plains of my career. I really and truly made a living, can you believe it?…doing things that lit me up. That made me want to sing on rooftops. Projects and positions and ways to bring the world more beauty, comradery, and creation! I defied the ‘odds’ that were ever against me. There was no real rhyme or reason, I just started taking action.
Eventually all of these avenues led to a point where I jumped ship right into my very own endeavors. I decided to run a FULL TIME business by creating! Creating art through photography, building sets through my design work, connecting with people and helping them feel seen and heard through my creations. It was amazing. When I jumped into it, I had no idea where the next dollars, or even pennies would come from, but I knew if I had enough drive, passion, support, and love, I could make it happen. Now 5 years into this crazy experiment, not only have I made a full time career out of living on my own terms, I have branched it out into areas I never thought possible.
Early on in my trek to become that shiny, new entrepreneur, I went to a women’s empowerment conference. Spent money I didn’t necessarily know was going to come back, stood in a room with 100’s of women I didn’t know (despite severe anxiety about doing so), and knew, just knew…I was on the right track. Standing there, listening to other powerful women’s life stories, led me to know I needed more of this in my life. And so I have made sure that to be the case…
So, I kept trekking. I kept persevering and the beauty that came of it made me feel unstoppable. But it’s true. I am proud to say I have built two brands that are manifested in love and the ability to create more for others. One is my portrait business, Megan Holly Artist, where I pour my heart into unique, stand-out photography for families, children, couples, and even pets! It holds a special place in my heart and the vast community and loyal clients I have is what keeps me going in the hardest of times.
My other absolute favorite place to spend time is my branding business. Little Powerhouse Branding was built to create a safe space for entrepreneurs, a high percentage of them being women, to work through their limiting beliefs and step into the business of their dreams. It’s a thing of beauty really, to see them finally understanding that business building can be fun and even have ease, when you are on the right path. I do this by combining my love of capturing the souls of small business owners to help them build a personal brand through photos and by coaching them to create a visual strategy and messaging that stands the test of time and helps them truly shine.
Lastly, because of the creative, soulful, ‘see the beauty in it all’ kid that almost lost her way…I started both a non-profit organization and a podcast to help have bigger reach for my message to NEVER GIVE UP THE GLOW WITHIN YOURSELF. My non-profit, co-founded alongside a best friend and fellow artist in her own mediums, is slowly but surely taking shape over the last few years. With time and patience, we have plans to improve and expand over time. It was built to help the younger generation have a place to share their talents, creations and dreams. New Makers Market is a safe haven for young artists of all mediums to come to life and not only showcase, but sell their work. Teaching them every step of the way, they are significant. What they create is impactful. Who they are becoming….MATTERS.
And my podcast, my newest endeavor, was a scary step. Who will listen, what will I say, how will it get to those that need it most? The answer to all of those questions was, I don’t know! But I just pressed record and spoke from the heart and here I am with a podcast – Taking Flight with Megan Holly. I can’t believe it myself most days, and it’s still a newborn in the world of podcasts. But MY GOODNESS, does it feel like my soul has a purpose every time I have the microphone up to my lips.
If anyone out there feels they are not capable, they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unseen….you aren’t! I see you, I feel you, I am one with you. The girl who had teachers share concerns about her, time and time again, that she was ‘too quiet’, is here breaking the mold. Doing things sweaty and scared on the regular and building a life that feels so surreal. It’s not to say hardship, stress, and loss don’t try to take over that ‘main character’ role from time to time. It just means that I ask for an upgrade to the bigger dressing room, strap on my sparkly boots, and saunter right back onto the stage where I know I belong. We all belong.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have had many struggles throughout my life, but believe that when trials come up against us, that’s when we can find out what we are really made of. From losing a parent at a young age, to dealing with anxiety and depression throughout all of my life, and working through major self-esteem issues…it has not always felt great to navigate the world. I firmly believe that all of these parts of me and my story are what have led me to where I am. I’m a matter of fact kind of person, in the sense that, life doesn’t hold back for any of us and hardships will come. So we have to decide how we want to navigate them with grace. Do I wish some of my hardships were erased? Not really, because I fear I wouldn’t know the person looking back at me in the mirror. The hardest times in my life and career have led me to huge epiphanies. Feeling at rock bottom is so hopeless, but climbing out of it…liberating. So through the losses, sadness, and setbacks I look back seeing how it has created me into who I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a proud creative and someone who loves to help others rise up! I am a photographer by trade and known for the vibrant, unique art I create for the subjects I work with. I often hear, “I know when I come across your art when I see it.” This brings me joy because it means my style transcends. In my portrait work, I specialize in working with children, families, dance, and pets. I love getting captures that make you feel the emotions of those in the photo or make you feel like you are right there with them.
In addition, I work with women in business. Through my branding photography work, I help them to create visuals that they not only FEEL AMAZING in, but help celebrate them and their business in unique ways. On top of offering high-quality branding photography, I also coach women entrepreneurs in both their visual strategy and messaging and mindset. Because I truly believe the key to having a successful, balanced, long-lasting business is stepping into your own confidence, talents, and story and meeting your ideal clients’ every need!
What sets me apart from others is that I am spunky. I have dance parties during my sessions, I laugh and love to get to know the people I am working with. My style is undeniable, but also can become like a chameleon to fit the specific needs of those using photography to grow their business. I blast through limiting beliefs myself on a regular basis to show others what is possible.
I am most proud of being able to listen to my heart and follow my gut. I am also an extremely proud wife, daughter, sister, and aunt to 9 special souls and strip everything in my life away…family is my rock. Without them, there is nothing and I enjoy this life with them by my side!
What are your plans for the future?
First and foremost, I am looking forward to all the things that will come my way if I stay open to them. I truly mean that. I don’t always know what is right around the corner, but sometimes I am pleasantly surprised and other times I want to run. But, yes, I am so stoked to step further into my vision of holding space for women entrepreneurs who want BIGGER impacts and more reach with my upcoming group coaching program – Business Oasis. When we find a beautiful balance between mindset, routine, strategy, and planning to create a life and business that feels good, it’s going to really fill my heart to see more people amping up their gifts and being confident in putting them to good use. Big things, new offerings, and so much growth is coming for Little Powerhouse Branding and all the beautiful entrepreneurs I am blessed to work with.
I am also so excited to see what the future holds for my nieces and nephews. Watching the world through the eyes and what they do in life inspires me to stay present and walk alongside them through building their own life choices. I step into my power to hopefully show them what is possible.
Pricing:
- Photography services – Starting at $255
- 1:1 Branding/Mindset Coaching (online or in person)- Starting at $95
- Business Oasis (online only) – Group Coaching Program – $997
Contact Info:
- Website: www.meganhollyartist.
com - Instagram: www.instagram.com/
meganhollycreates - Facebook: www.facebook.com/
meganhollyartist - Non-Profit: www.facebook.com/n
ewmakersmarket - Other: https://anchor.fm/
megan-holly-artist
Image Credits
Professional photos of Megan Donick by Summer Brader Photography
