5 mins with…Cara Connell, founder of Lumitrix

We chat to Cara Connell, founder of the online photography gallery, Lumitrix. Cara talks about creating an online space for photographers to showcase their art.

Please explain who you are, what your business is, and what it does/aims to achieve?

I am Cara Connell, and the business is called Lumitrix, an online photography gallery bringing emerging photographers to collectors. We represent a broad spectrum of photographers, currently 30 of them.

What time does your day usually start and end?

It officially starts at 9am and finishes at 7pm, but often work runs into the evenings and weekends. Also early morning breakfast meetings are often a good way of connecting with someone new.

What is your favourite part of your job and what is your least favourite part?

My favourite part is continually pushing forward, making progress, meeting interesting new people and learning along the way. My least favourite part is being thwarted at moving forward by people who don’t pick up the phone or answer their emails.

What inspired you to start your business? (And what made you want to be your own boss?)

So many factors: seeing aspiring photographers struggle to sell their work and make a living, new home owners with empty walls but small art budgets, and finally not wanting to go back to the corporate world of law.

Where did the idea for your business come from?

My initial inspiration came from assisting my now friend, Matilda Temperley, when I was trying to become a photographer myself. I witnessed beautiful imagery being created with nowhere for it to go. I just knew there was a market out there….

What has been the biggest challenge for your business?

Reaching people and persuading them that what they see on the internet is as good a quality in real life. Buying art online is a relatively new area and people can be understandably nervous about this.

What previous experiences have helped you in starting your business?

Understanding the licences involved with digital imagery and the terminology within the photography world.

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to anyone looking to start their own business?

Research it extensively and once your business plan is finalised, shave at least 30% off all revenue you predict.

Would you do anything differently if you could start again from scratch?

Yes, I would have had more confidence in my conviction and therefore budgeted to grow the company more quickly.

What do you do to relax away from the hustle and bustle of work?

I love to spend time chasing after my baby boy, walking my dog and getting out to large open spaces in the country for some fresh air to help clear my head and lungs.

Do you manage to achieve a good work/life balance?

Its always a tricky one, and the holy grail really, but most of the time, yes I think I do.