Like most entrepreneurs, you’ve likely been through your own seasons of burnout. Maybe they led to scaling back or pivoting, but what if you used those times of burnout for inspiration? In today’s episode, Angela Shae of Social Templates Co joins us to share how she went from successful wedding photographer to social media manager due to burnout. Then after another wave of burnout, she found inspiration that created a solution for her burnout (and for many of the clients she worked with).
Listen in as Angela shares how she developed and pivoted her brand, Social Templates Co, through what she thought were seasons that would end the company. She highlights the importance of rest, balance, intentional living, and how to manage entrepreneurial pressures while nurturing personal relationships.
If you are battling burnout or have been burnt out before, if you are pivoting into a new idea or trying to create a new idea, this episode is for you.
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Angela Shea candidly opens up about her journey from being a successful wedding photographer to founding Social Templates Co. Her journey began at a photography conference where Laylee met Angela, sparking a meaningful conversation that revealed a deeply personal story of transformation.
Angela started out as a wedding photographer at the young age of 19. Despite her initial uncertainty, her passion quickly grew as she learned and excelled in the field. She achieved great success, earning features in top photography publications. However, with the birth of her children and the demands of her business, Angela’s life became a whirlwind of travel, late-night editing sessions, and mounting anxiety.
A Pivotal Moment
Recognizing the overwhelming toll on her well-being and family life, Angela and her husband made a bold decision to sell their house and move from the Pacific Northwest to Southern California to reset and recharge.
The Evolution of Social Templates Co.
Despite the move, Angela’s drive to continue working led her into social media management, taking on 20 clients. The work was relentless, leading to another bout of burnout. It was during this period of intense work that the idea for Social Templates Co. began to take shape.
Initially, Social Templates operated as a complex Shopify store, offering custom reels for photographers. However, when Instagram launched the “use template” feature, Angela’s initial devastation turned into a breakthrough. She pivoted the business model to take advantage of this new feature, leading to the successful and streamlined version of Social Templates Co. that exists today.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Angela’s story is filled with key lessons:
Adaptability: When faced with what seemed like the end, Angela pivoted her business model, turning a potential downfall into an incredible opportunity.
Balancing Hustle with Rest: Angela emphasizes the importance of creating intentional spaces for rest and connection to avoid burnout and maintain healthy relationships.
Community Impact: Social Templates Co. was born out of a need for balance in Angela’s life and has since provided freedom and efficiency for its members, illustrating the beautiful ripple effect of solving a personal problem that benefits many.
Angela’s Unpopular Opinion
Angela advocates for hustle but emphasizes the necessity of balance. She encourages creating intentional rhythms of rest and making time for meaningful connections with loved ones. Her fear of being remembered only for her work drives her commitment to maintaining personal connections alongside her professional achievements.
When you are a creative entrepreneur, time management is the number one key to preventing burnout! Click to join the list and download my free worksheet.
