Boss Lady Spotlight: Kelly Wood Clark
At Armoire, we’re casting a spotlight on some of the notable, powerful boss ladies in our community, and what being a boss lady means to them. Read on to learn all about Armoire member, Kelly Wood Clark.
Her Life:
Past:
I’m born and raised in Southern California and since a young age I’ve been drawn to anything creative. Painting, drawing, acting, and photography, you name it! It wasn’t until around the time I started college that I really started learning the craft of photography. With photography, things seemed to click more than any other art form I’d previously tried so I gave it a serious shot (no pun intended)!
Present:
I currently run my photography business, and have been doing so for the last 10 years! Time had for sure gone by quickly. I specialize in weddings, portraits, and editorial photography and I love it. Being your own boss is great and making a living doing something creative is just icing on the cake.
Future:
I’m always looking to grow. I do my best to break down my big picture into smaller goals. You have to! Otherwise it’s so easy to get beat down by the larger picture. I would love to create an online space where I can help educate other photographers on all things photography related. I’ve been thinking of starting a podcast to facilitate this. Other than that, it’s about making each year bigger and better than the last. Being able to share what I’ve learned with others is a constant goal for me.
Her Career:
How she’s redefining women who work:
I think there’s so many women out there starting their own thing and feeling inspired by the women they see around them. I’m not sure how I am personally redefining women who work but I know I am endlessly inspired by the women I see around me!
Her biggest challenge:
Needing to wear many, many different hats! To do photography you also need to do: accounting, web design, marketing, social media, advertising and so many other things to be successful. Often the photography is the smallest part about this job. I look to a lot of business books and entrepreneurial podcasts to get the wheels churning. Sometimes you can get into a rut and looking towards others who are experts at what they does a good way to get inspiration.
Her secret to a work/life balance:
Mmm, this one is a tough one! Truthfully, it’s a constant battle. I often don’t work conventional hours and find myself working at nights when my husband is home… though I’m always working to change this. I like to keep my weekends to myself if I’m not shooting. That’s the only work I will let myself do on weekends. You have to be able to separate the two otherwise you’ll run yourself into the ground.
What she wishes she knew 5 years ago:
You’ve got to give something your all, and in doing so your future self will thank you. It’s too easy to get comfortable with your current position and let things you need to do in order to grow fall by the wayside. Knowing that you will get the results if you apply yourself was something I really wish I knew.
Her advice:
Comparison is the theft of joy! You need to just keep your head down and focus on yourself and your goals. Seek out people and things that inspire you yet don’t make you feel bad about where you are at. It’s so cliche but everyone started from somewhere. You can not compare where you are at the start of your career to someone whose been doing it for 10 years.
Everyone’s path is going to be different, and if you let doubts creep in staying motivated can be tough. We all feel fear at some point, but it’s how you manage and move forward despite it that will define you and your career. You got this!
Her Style:
Why she uses Armoire:
I love to express myself through clothes! Having all of the options at Armoire helps me to supplement my current closet with fun new pieces that are constantly changing. I get to try things that I may not have ever bought for myself, but then realize how much I love them once I try them on.
Her favorite part:
That I get to take a chance on fun pieces with a no risk or commitment! And being able to rotate in new and fresh pieces more often than I purchase new things.
What Armoire outfit do you feel most powerful in?
That would for sure have to be this amazing Gravitas navy blue cape I once rented. It’s a total boss lady power piece. I love it!! You can pair it with pretty much anything too, making any outfit instantly chic.
