2018 Annual Conference Wrap UP!

Published on January 26, 2018

What an AWESOME time we had in Nashville, Tennessee for our annual Spoiled Rotten conference!  Despite “Snowmaggeden” pushing us into plan B (even plan C, in some cases), we had a hugely successful conference!  Our theme this year was “Swing for the Fences” and not only did we swing, but we hit it out of the park!

Team Building

We already had the best team, ever!  Our conference allowed us to come together and plan for the upcoming year.  We’ve held bi-weekly video conferences and seen and heard each other other online several times now, but many of us met in person for the very first time.  Still, it felt like a family reunion!

A Huge Welcome

We welcomed our two newest franchise owners:  First up, Katrina Gatta, from Cleveland, Ohio.  Katrina combines her love of children and photography to create cherished photographs. Learn more about Katrina, READ HERE.  Next up, Elizabeth Powell from McKinney, Texas.  Living in one of the fastest growing areas of the country, Elizabeth is thrilled to bring her photography expertise to her flourishing home town.  Learn more about Elizabeth, READ HERE.

 

Time To Reflect And Learn

Throughout the three day conference, we challenged each other, set goals, and learned what it takes to be “The Greatest Showman.”  With the help of Elizabeth Bailey (Alpharetta Franchise Owner) and Scott Kellner (Birmingham Franchise Owner), we learned how to strengthen the foundation of our business and acquire new accounts.  You could practically see the personal and business growth in each franchise owner during the conference.

                                  

Service

This is where plan B (and the creation of plan C) started.  Mother Nature decided to throw us a curve ball with a winter storm that pretty much shut down the city of Nashville.  Traditionally, we work with a local preschool in a homeless shelter or low income neighborhood.  The preschool we were scheduled to serve closed due to the storm.  So we put out a call to action and were able to round up a couple of pint-sized models (Thank you Will Smith, Nashville Franchise Owner) to help us train.  

 

                                                    

 

Plan C At It’s Best

When life throws you a curve-ball, you gotta hit it out of the park!!  And that’s just what we did.  That crazy winter storm cancelled the flights of two of our three judges and kept the third judge from reaching Nashville.  Once again, we asked for help!!  Heather Sams (Colorado Springs Franchise Owner) reached out to one of her friends, Jeff Johnson, who was already in town for Imaging USA, and he agreed to judge our competition!  Melissa then contacted a friend who found us Michelle Massey Barnes

 

Jeff Johnson, Melissa Tash, and Michelle Massey Barnes

 

We base our franchise awards on our core values of Advocacy, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Legacy.  Each of our owners exhibit all of these core values, but a few were selected for special recognition:   

SRP Awards presented to franchise owners included:

Scott and Kara Kellner of Birmingham, AL: 

  • The Extra Miler (for going above and beyond to help others)
  • The Rising Star Award (highest overall sales in first season of franchise ownership)
  • Media Mogul (best use of social media to promote business)

Mark Treen of Charleston, SC: 

  • The Advocate (generously donated time/talent to those less fortunate)

Amy Bell of Plano/Frisco, TX: 

  • The Shining Star (franchise with highest single-season sales growth)
  • Happy Customer (highest overall customer satisfaction)

Elizabeth Bailey of Alpharetta, GA: 

  • Diamond Order (highest single sale)
  • Peak Performer (highest sales of any franchise owner)
  • The Purple Crown Award (highest overall sales and exemplary core values)

The coveted Purple Crown stays in Georgia with Elizabeth Bailey again this year.  This prestigious award is given to the franchise owner with the highest overall sales and exemplary core values.

ADVOCACY!

We were proud to recognize  our franchise owners at our annual conference for supporting local charities in each of their respective cities. See HERE for more information about the organizations we support.

IMAGE COMPETITION

Each year we look forward to refining our skills through our print competition.  There is so much to learn from different personalities and perspectives!  Photographers don’t naturally enjoy others critiquing their work, but image competition makes photographers better — and that’s why we do it!  Here’s a sample of winning images:     

 

Want to see more of our Award Winning Images?  See them all HERE

 

We had the honor of listening to Gigi Butler, of the FAMOUS Gigi’s Cupcakes during our awards night!  She shared her passion and unstoppable attitude that carried her from a small town, to Nashville in pursuit of a singing career that led to her amazingly successful cupcake business.  She is an absolute inspiration!

 

As soon as our conference ended on Saturday night, we got up early the next morning to attend the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Imaging USA Conference.  Thousands of photographers… Dozens of classes… Rows and rows of vendors with new photo equipment and business tools…  With all the commotion and classes, it’s great to know we already have a business that is tried and true, a calendar that is booked, and steady income to provide for our families!  We glean a little tidbit here or there… but it’s soooo reassuring to know that our system works! 
 
We spent 3 days in our trade show booth sharing the Spoiled Rotten Photography story with many photographers from across the country!  What a great opportunity to share the rewards SRP has brought to our families!  We met some wonderful people and can’t wait to see where 2018 takes our Spoiled Rotten Family!

                 

 

"The whole thing really is a breath of fresh air"

"Spoiled Rotten Photography has allowed me to earn enough money a couple days a week and still be home when my son gets out of school. That’s because Spoiled Rotten Photography is not only a proven financial profitable business model but as a franchise is a system that just works. The whole thing really is a breath of fresh air from taking pictures to getting money in my account. I truly enjoy what I do, bring joy to kids. I know parents cherish the art I make. And my family loves my job almost as much as I do."

Mark Treen, Charleston, SC

"This business model is tried and true."

“I am so grateful to be a part of the Spoiled Rotten Photography family! It was exactly what my career needed. I have been a professional photographer for 20 years. By joining SRP I have not only improved as a photographer but also a business person. This business model is tried and true. SRP is a huge blessing in my life and has affected my family in such wonderful ways. What I appreciate the most is the support I receive to achieve success. It is constant and genuine. The help is always there. I have never once felt like I had to figure anything out on my own. I love being an SRP owner and highly recommend if you are looking for a place to soar that you consider this dynamic company. You will be welcomed by a warm community of owners and can hit the ground running in a prosperous way.”

Heather Sams, Owner – SRP Colorado Springs

"SRP helped us achieve our dreams."

“My husband and I have always shared a passion for entrepreneurship. And I have always needed a creative outlet and photography provided that. I piddled with a custom business for a few years and had a little success. But I felt like it could be more profitable. Spoiled Rotten Photography came home in my sons cap & gown pictures and I could immediately see an opportunity. After much investigation, I realized that owning a franchise was the way to go. Spoiled Rotten Photography has given me the entrepreneurship opportunity I had always wanted, an outlet to express my creativity, and a profitable opportunity to provide for my family, all while not having to re-invent the wheel by going it alone. Spoiled Rotten Photography is something that I could have never created on my own. Spoiled Rotten Photography helped us achieve our dreams.”

Kara & Scott Kellner, Birmingham, AL

"Buying into a turnkey business took all the stress and worry out"

“My biggest strain in life was always trying to find “balance”. Making the decision to buy into a turnkey business that was ready and waiting for me took all the stress and worry out of failure and allowed me the opportunity to focus on the things that mattered most to me…being creative, contributing to my family’s income and being the wife and Mom I deserved to be. Buying into the Spoiled Rotten franchise has not only given me ongoing guidance, support and the experience of a proven business model, I have also found my balance by having the schedule I want and the time I need to be to live my life the way I choose. Having come from a corporate background where my schedule was dictated to me, I love the freedom and flexibility that being a part of Spoiled Rotten allows in my life. The icing on the cake is also being a partner in this business with my sister and best friend. Don’t believe the hype that you can’t work with family. Joining forces with someone who has the same goals, and values can make you an unstoppable team!”

Patricia Mesi, Alpharetta, GA

"Spoiled Rotten Photography has turned my passion for photography into a dream career."

“Photography has always been a passion, and Spoiled Rotten Photography has turned it into a dream career. The love and support all owners receive within the franchise is amazing. The combination of photographing little ones and being a part of this PURPLE family is a wonderful blessing, and I will be forever grateful.”

Dianna Harriet, Denver, CO

"We were blown away with the quality and imagery"

“We looked at several photography franchise opportunities  and were blown away with the quality and imagery we consistently saw from each SRP location.  We know how important it is to capture these memories and SRP does it in such a beautiful way!  When we saw what SRP was offering & the beautiful portraits they were offering in preschools, we knew we wanted to bring this opportunity to Katy, TX.”

– One year later – “What a difference a year makes. Last July Sandi and I finished our Spoiled Rotten Photography new Franchisee training. We were very excited about all that we had just learned and we put our faith in God that this was his will for us. In August, I was “surplused” from ATT and had an empty planner that I needed to be filled. We were blessed with a great fall season and had about 25% of our spring season booked. The spring season got so busy we almost didn’t make it to the end. Now I am looking at a fall Calendar with 4 single days and one 2 day session available and we are completely booked!

God has completely blessed our business and given us great leaders like Melissa Russell Tash, Jamie Tash and Elizabeth Bailey and and a family of other owners who have always been ready to answer any questions we had. Thanks to all who have helped, purchased from, and booked us during our first 12 months. And a special thanks to God who has blessed us beyond our expectations.”

Joey and Sandi Fotheringham, Katy, TX

"SRP allows me a balance between owning a business and being a mom."

“I researched and met with other franchisees before making my way to Spoiled Rotten Photography. Immediately, the integrity and transparency within Spoiled Rotten Photography made this one stand out, and the more I learned, the more I loved. Now, Spoiled Rotten Photography allows me a balance between owning a business and being a mom. Best of all, I get to do something I love every day with unlimited potential..”

Kim Hoover, Charlotte, NC

"I worked in the corporate world for 15 years, but never had my 'bucket' full."

“I was doing photography on the side, which I always loved, but if someone asked if I would ever do it full time, I'd respond with "I wish, but not sure how I could make that switch." Well, Spoiled Rotten Photography has allowed me to do that – to follow the dream I didn't know was possible. I love being silly with kids and sharing beautiful portraits with parents to document the moment in time, because we all know how fast they grow up! This career change has allowed me to spend more time with my family, be more available for my girls, and still contribute financially to our household...but most of all my 'bucket' is now full!”

Amanda Day, Kansas City, Kansas

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