Today we’d like to introduce you to Marian Diop.
Hi Marian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Hawaii and was homeschooled K-12th grade. I attended college at University of Hawaii where I got my undergraduate degree in American history. I moved to the east coast, worked odd jobs, realized I hadn’t really learned how to do anything, so I went back to Hawaii and got my MBA from Shidler College of Business. I lucked out and landed a training and consulting job for State Farm and then Allstate. I loved working with small business owners and helping them strategize on how to take their business to the next level. Along the way, I had bought a camera and started teaching myself how to use it. I connected with several professional photographers who shared with me business strategy and how they ran a luxury portrait business with exquisite client care. I started to grow my business on the side while continuing with consulting. Over several years, I would test ideas out in the photography business and then introduce the concepts to my insurance agents. Gradually the photography became so successful that I ended my corporate work and went into business for myself. In 2021, even though the business had its best year ever, I knew it was time to make a big change, leave Hawaii, and move to a state with even more opportunity. I chose Dallas because of its pro-business climate, growth, and friendliness of its people. We opened in Dallas in April 2022 and I have been having so much fun getting connected in the community and photographing new people. Like Hawaii, Dallas is more connected than you’d think for a big city.
In my spare time, I love staying fit and active. The gym is my happy place. I’m always listening to podcasts or reading (mostly business or personal development books). Finally, I’m incredibly active with my 3 kids. Between sports, road trips, and getting them out in nature, life is never dull.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has definitely not been a smooth road. I was self-taught with the camera. I have always self-funded the growth of my business. Finally, I was in a bad marriage for many years and have been a full-time single mom for the last 3 years. But I am so thankful for the support of my parents and the opportunities I have found along the way. Without challenge, we can’t grow and it’s really made me the person I am today. I strive to be disciplined and work hard and it’s made my business very successful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We’ve been in business for 10+ years and photographed 1000+ families. We specialize in families, boudoir, and personal branding.
For families: we believe in putting a physical representation of a family’s love in large portraits on that wall. We are passionate about this work for 2 reasons. One, studies have shown that children who grow up with family pictures, feel more loved and connected. This helps with their self-confidence and over well-being. Two, being a parent is often tiring and thankless. No one is paying you bonuses or giving you the full credit, you deserve. We want to support parents by creating a beautiful picture that they get to enjoy every day and always feel that love and happiness each time they look at it on their wall.
For boudoir: we believe every woman is beautiful and should feel that way in her own skin. A vast majority of women don’t feel confident and we want to change that.
For business headshots/branding we want to help elevate a business person’s online presence through carefully curated photography that attracts their ideal customer.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Helping families feel loved and seen. Making women feel beautiful and powerful. But MOST of all, getting that portrait off the computer and on the wall as a legacy forever.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.butlerbadouportraits.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butlerbadouportraits/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/butlerbadouportraits/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO3jUhQdTlMGjjgl7cPcWaQ
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/butlerbadouportraits/
