What are the top 3 hurdles you had to over come in your business?

... So I've decided to come back to photography after a pretty long hiatus, I took tons of photography classes in college, but that was way back in the 90's HA! Now I am in the process of redeveloping my eye, and determining exactly who my client is. I am a firm believer in not making the same mistakes others have made, and would love to have a heads up on the pitfalls and hurdles others have ad to overcome.
So what are your top 3 business hurdles you've over come ?

you have to make mistakes if you want to learn which mistakes to avoid!

1. Finding Clients
2. Keeping Clients
3. Taxes

#1 is who and what are you as a photographer and what do you want/need to be.

#2 find clients that fit with whoever/whatever that might be.

#3 supply a product that exceeds those clients expectations.

1. Brand Identity.
2. Marketing.
3. Customers.

I'm in software, not photography. I have no evidence, but I think the business challenges are similar.

1. Generating leads
2. Selling
3. Doing all the "work" while succeeding in sales fast enough to stay in business

Regardless of education, learning to sell is a top priority. It isn't actually hard, but it is not a natural way people act.

To take advantage of sales skill, there must be a way to generate real leads.

In consulting, leads come via referrals. In software products, leads come from hiring a sales team with existing connections.

Good luck.

The single biggest hurdle for me has been being a female in a male dominant job. Racing photography and racing in general is mostly a boys club, so I have had to work extra hard to get where I am today. I'm not complaining, it's just a fact.

That surprises me. I thought they'd be courteous and helpful. (Really, I'm not kidding)

S.Horton wrote in post #13945282
That surprises me. I thought they'd be courteous and helpful. (Really, I'm not kidding)

Yes, most people are nice, but there are those who can't seem to take a woman seriously (at least at first) - despite the fact that the only difference between you and other photographers is gender. It's not a huge problem, just annoying.

..then be the one they underestimate.

That's the plan

These are some of the principles that I have come to learn and employ lately.

1. Understand what is it that YOU have to offer.
2. Knowing WHY they should hire you for the $um you are asking for.
3. Know thy business COSTS.

For me the only real hurdle was myself!

I an not a talker. So it was very hard for me to be able to simply talk to people cold. Still is. If there is a connection already its not that bad. But talk to somebody cold... I hate it.

I think the single hardest thing for every photographer is finding clients, especially ones that pay well and on time.

The 2nd hardest aspect is making sure that those clients have enough work to keep you busy as much as you are willing tow ork.

Mark1 wrote in post #13946029
For me the only real hurdle was myself!

I an not a talker. So it was very hard for me to be able to simply talk to people cold. Still is. If there is a connection already its not that bad. But talk to somebody cold... I hate it.

how did you , or did you get past it ?