Stephen Payne - I always get a good photograph because I've been doing it for 40 years and I've got a good eye.

Stephen Payne – I always get a good photograph because I’ve been doing it for 40 years and I’ve got a good eye.

Categories: Inspiration, Money and Career

When I was about 17 I moved from the British countryside to London. I became a motorcycle dispatch rider and for the next 7 years did many, many miles, riding all over London before moving to the California. I continued working in production, before returning to England, buying a boat, and setting sail for Mediterranean …… with very little experience and some big dreams.

Moving onto a boat definitely raised eyebrows of some good friends as I have never expressed any interest in boating until recently. Strangely enough my boat is still floating.

Rule #1 – The water stays on the outside.

Thank you for joining us here at The Corporate Escapists. Please introduce yourself to our reader. They love to know about you, your passion, and how you came to find and follow your passion.

At 24, I started working for the British music press and after a couple of years ended up working for The Evening Standard, London’s newspaper.

Still working in the music industry and directed many live concerts and music clips for MTV. I eventually ended up working in Los Angeles, and I liked it so much I decided to stay.

Oprah once quoted ‘You are where you are in your life, based on what you believe. If you’re not looking at the shadows, what is subconsciously telling yourself you’re not good enough, not worthy enough, not smart enough…you’re not enough, you end up acting out of THAT belief system, and not of what you want to be the truest for yourself.””. How important is it to you to have the belief within ones self?

I know I’m a good photographer. Sometimes I’m a great photographer. But I know that I’ll always get a good photograph because I’ve been doing it for 40 years and I’ve got a good eye. People like my photographs.

Tell us what the word “Entrepreneur” means to you?

To me an entrepreneur is someone who is ultimately creative. And by “creative” I mean creative in every way. Having nerves of steel also helps. When you know the rent on the studio is due in five days and you’re 1000 short, you need to stay calm and fix it.

How has the life of being an entrepreneur, changed you?

I don’t know, because I’ve always been an entrepreneur. 🙂

Share you thoughts on the importance of business owners to be a leader in their own life and ensure they have a work/life balance?

“All work and no play ………” as the saying goes.

Recently I decided to take my life in a very different direction, and I moved onto a boat. I am writing this from the Mediterranean, where I now live …. on my boat. Gently rocking just off the west coast of Italy.

What is your favourite quote about “following your dreams”?

“Save me from the people, who would save me from myself.”

It’s from a Gang of Four song. Gang of Four were actually the very first band I ever photographed professionally. But I had always liked that line is kind of all came together nicely.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start their own business?

Make sure there is an actual market for your service or product. Just believing in yourself is not enough. Some people will tell you “never give up,” but they are wrong. Knowing when to give up is the skill.

Remember …. the customer is always right, even when they’re wrong.

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