"There is no perfect time to start, and there’s no magic level of experience you need before you’re ready".
That’s the energy Julia walked into her session with, and honestly, it set the whole tone. She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t wait for permission. She builds, she expands, and she steps into the next version of herself without needing the world to say it’s time.
Julia is an entrepreneur who creates elevated experiences. With Bee’s Knees Cleaning and Embark Journey Rentals, Julia helps property owners turn their spaces into places people feel taken care of. She focuses on clarity, integrity, and results, and there’s something so grounding about being around someone who knows exactly why their work matters.
As we talked, she shared how entrepreneurship always lived inside her. Even though she "fell into" this industry, the desire to build something of her own started when she was 18. She wanted to create systems that made life easier for people. She wanted to make things beautiful. She wanted to serve.
And now, she’s doing exactly that!!!
She said her brand is radiant, playful, and kind, and the second she stepped in front of the camera, I felt all three. Her energy has this way of filling a room while still making you feel calm. That combination isn’t common, but it’s exactly why her businesses feel so personal and so warm.
Julia shared that she learned early how to advocate for herself, how to figure out how she learns best, and how to take care of others. She also cared for her aunt, who had a disability, and that responsibility shaped her long before she was an entrepreneur. It taught her resilience. It taught her problem-solving. It taught her leadership from the inside out.
She said she spent an entire year in college just learning how she learns, and that experience changed everything for her. Now she brings that same intentionality into her business every single day.
When Julia talked about the people she works with, her whole face lit up. The part of her work she loves most is watching people thrive. She wants her clients and her team to feel confident, excited, and capable. She wants them to know they can do it. And she creates that kind of environment without forcing it. It happens because of who she is.
One thing she said stuck with me. She talked about trusting her intuition and how powerful it’s been for her. She’s learned to say yes only to what moves her forward. She’s learned to stop feeling guilty for protecting her energy. She’s learned not to carry other people’s mistakes or opinions. Watching her say this out loud felt like a woman standing fully in herself. It was simple, but strong.
She also shared the pressure that comes with her kind of work. People see the clean homes and the beautifully run rentals, but they don’t see the 2 a.m. problem-solving, the fast decisions, the leadership behind the scenes. And yet, she still shows up with calm energy and clarity, even when no one sees the weight she’s carrying. It is very inspiring!!!
When I asked her what makes this feel like a calling instead of a job, she said it’s because she gets to use every part of who she is. Her ability to read people. Her sense of direction. Her creativity. Her intuition. Her leadership. Her heart. She feels like she’s exactly where she’s meant to be, and you can feel that truth in her words.
My favourite moment of the session was when she shared that she didn’t want a stiff headshot. She wanted her essence. Playful, bold, radiant, soft, confident, and a total badass. She wanted who she is, not just what she looks like. And watching that come through was honestly magic. She relaxed. She laughed. She trusted herself. And she let her energy lead the session.
Julia, thank you for letting me capture who you are in this chapter. You brought such depth, heart, and intention into every moment. Your story, your leadership, and your drive to help others grow are the kind of things that make me feel grateful to do this work!
If you're a woman building something powerful in Nanaimo, BC, and want an experienced branding photographer who captures photos that feel like you, I’d love to create with you. Check out more of my work here!!!