By Amanda Ghobadi is the CEO and Lead Photographer at The Branding Babe, a photo and video agency that helps women build their personal brands. Her focus has always been to uplift, support, and bring out the confidence in every woman she shoots, and to translate her clients’ passion and purpose into content that connects and inspires.
Amanda aims to help fellow women entrepreneurs on their journey to financial freedom, personalized success, and legacy building. She helps her clients to strategically position themselves to attract their ideal audience, all while staying authentic and embracing their unique personalities. In working with female entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, Amanda Ghobadi ultimately strives to create a better world through beautiful photos and videos that encourage women to reach their true potential.
Tell us a little about yourself
At my core, I’m a multi-passionate creative with a passion for social justice, women’s rights, and the environment. I love art in all its many facets, and have a habit of taking my artistic hobbies a little too seriously. I’m an animal lover through and through (I’m the person at the party who will greet the dog before saying hi to you). At the end of the day, I’m fiercely loyal to my friends and family. Everything I do is for them and the life I want to build with the people I love by my side.
How did you get to where you are today?
Copious amounts of hard work, trial and error, and failure. Lots of failure, with intense spurts of trusting my gut and following my heart. Any entrepreneur can tell you that they are where they are because of love, passion, and the belief in something beyond themselves. My mission to help women run successful, strategic, and scalable businesses has kept me going even when I’ve felt like quitting. Talent is only a small piece of the puzzle. The rest is dedication and persistence and the willingness to keep learning.
What do you think has helped you the most with your success?
My support system has been vital to my success. Having friends, colleagues, coaches, and mentors I can trust with my ups and downs is priceless. Walking the path of entrepreneurship alone can be devastating and I’ve had to learn that the hard way.
What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome in order to achieve your goals?
Finding my “niche” and my “zone of genius” has been a huge struggle, and often is for creators who are multi-passionate. Narrowing my vision and purpose has allowed me to find my dream clients and work with the women who truly need my help. We cannot do everything well. But one or two things? Absolutely.
What are you most proud of?
Being able to run my business without the support of any other employer or paycheck coming in was a huge milestone for me. I’m proud to be a full-time entrepreneur with the freedom to build my life according to my own standards.
What are three pieces of advice you could give to our readers?
No matter what you do in life, do it with passion, purpose, and skill. If entrepreneurship is your path, be strategic about your goals and objectives and practice what you preach. And always make time for yourself, outside of your career and relationships with loved ones. Your relationship with yourself will affect every area of your life – prioritize it and nurture it.
You inspire us, but what/who are YOU inspired by?
There are too many things to list! I’m inspired every day by women who take risks, speak their minds, and fight for change, even when it’s hard. I’m inspired by nature – the simple beauty of plants and animals calms my soul and warms my heart. And I’m inspired by stories. There are tons of powerful books, films, and television series today that push my creative boundaries.
How do you reward yourself when you’ve reached a goal or after a hard day of work?
With the little wins, a simple self-care ritual can be enough. Enjoying a good meal, taking a nice bath or treating myself to a massage is often the reward I need. With big wins, I like to loop my friends and family in on the celebration. My favorite thing to do is go on vacation and take time off work to just be and enjoy my life.
What is one sassy saying or quote that inspires you? Why?
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
I love this quote, because it reminds me how important inclusivity, kindness, and patience are when it comes to our life’s work. We cannot create great change or make a massive impact without the support of others.
Follow Amanda Ghobadi and The Branding Babe Online:
Instagram Link: www.instagram.com/thebrandingbabe
Facebook Profile: www.facebook.com/brandingbabeagency
Kim is the owner and publisher of Sass Magazine, as well as the owner of Sass Studios, a boutique graphic design studio in Frederick, MD. When not in the office, Kim can be found doing some of her favorite hobbies—reading a book, dancing, traveling, or playing with her rescued pitbull.
What do you think?