Q1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Guy: Guy Viau Photography is a photography service company that specializes in headshot/portrait photography for actors as well as dancers and performers in the arts. We also offer “high end” corporate, glamour, boudoir, fashion and wedding photography.
We are conveniently located in the center of Los Angeles, CA (8947 Hargis Street, Los Angeles, CA 90034)
Our work can be seen here: www.guyviauheadshots.com
Q2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Guy: I have worked in the fashion industry as a model and made a successful living for 15+ years in all the major markets such as Paris, Milan, New York, Tokyo, etc… I have been represented by more than a dozen agencies around the world and booked more than 70 national T.V. commercials. This experience has provided me with a unique insight for my photography work. I have more than 20 years experience as a photographer and have worked with more than 7,000 subjects in the last 14 years in Los Angeles.
Q3. What ignited the spark in you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Guy: My love for photography started at an early age. I loved movies and the visual aspect of films, the photography had a huge impact on me. When I started working as a model I soon realized that I would rather be the one creating the images rather than being their subject.
Q4. What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Guy: (1) Make sure you choose something you love and you are passionate about.
(2) Do not choose something only because there is a lot of money to be made into a particular field.
(3) Study hard, work hard… nothing that is worth something is achieved effortlessly. The things that will matter the most to you when it comes to business and other areas of your life will be the ones you have put an honest effort into.
Q5. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Guy: Generally I am happy with the way I handled my business from the beginning, if there was one thing in retrospect, it would be on the maturity level… the way I dealt with some clients… I could have bit my tongue a few times and stayed quiet when there was a divergence of opinion. You have to learn to give clients room to vent and state their opinions even if you think they are dead wrong…
Q6. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Guy: (1) People skills.
(2) Organizational skills.
(3) Continuously work on your vision…. How you see your business evolving.
Q7. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Guy: Unfortunately you only learn how to handle this with experience + every situation is different. I think you develop instincts and wisdom and you start making better decisions with time.
Q8. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Guy: 10 hours
Q9. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Guy: In my case my family comes first. It’s a balancing act. Spending time with my wife and children is what I love most so I make sure there is no neglect on that front. Personnally it is a priority in my life… I’m sure there are areas of my business that could be improved if I spent more time on them but I will not compromise the well being of my kids for more money…
Q10. What motivates you?
Guy: Different things at different stages of my life have motivated me, right now it’s my 2 boys.
Q11. How do you generate new ideas?
Guy: When I work I am very focused on my business, I try to think of the ideal service for my clients and sometimes try new things which in itself generate new ideas. I try to not limit myself in doing things “the same old way”…. Stay open to change and evolve.
Q12. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Guy: The thing I am most grateful for is my mental, spiritual and physical health. If I can manage to stay in the moment and appreciate what I have now then I succeed in combating fear.
Q13. What are your ideals?
Guy: A more balanced world. A coexistence of different cultures and religions, more tolerance, ultimately more love. There is too much disparity in the world, global economic and spiritual imbalance worries me.
Q14. How do you define success?
Guy: By how happy and grateful I truly am today.
Q15. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Guy: A day well lived today makes every yesterday a beautiful memory and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Doing your best to do the right thing one day at a time.
Q16. How do you build a successful customer base?
Guy: By treating every customer fairly and with care.
Q17. How did you decide on the location for your business?
Guy: Los Angeles is the prime location for actors and performers in the arts. In addition the volume of people needing photography services whether for corporate photography, fashion photography, boudoir photography, wedding photography is substantial.
Q18. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Guy: Hard work, honesty, integrity.
Q19. If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Guy: Dalai Lama.
Q20. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Guy: Nelson Mandela.
Q21. What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)
Guy: The Road Less Traveled (Scott Peck), Siddhartha.
Q21. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Guy: Being independent.
About Guy Viau Photography: Guy Viau Photography, located in Los Angeles, CA – specializes in professional headshots for actors (men, women, children), professional dancers, performers, athletes and more. Call us at (323) 791-6180 for more information!
Company: Guy Viau Photography
Street Address: 8947 Hargis Street
City: Los Angeles
State: California
Zip Code: 90034
Tel No: (323) 791-6180
E-mail Id: guyviauheadshots@gmail.com