where boundaries dissolve

“I Didn’t Know I Was an Entrepreneur". How to Pivot Your Career and Build A Brand, #83 Zemo, Founder/CEO Seemingly Virtual

Episode Summary

"I didn't know I was an entrepreneur, I just couldn't take orders." The more I grew, the more potential I saw to expand my business beyond just photography, and thankfully I pivoted, because 1 year later the whole industry started to collapse--photographers struggled to find work. I'm glad I followed my instinct, took a leap of faith to pivot my business and build a new brand before the AI-wave hit us.

Episode Notes

If you’re at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey and secretly wondering, “Am I even cut out for this?” then this episode is for you.

In this conversation, we talk honestly about what no one prepares you for when you start building something of your own:
the self-doubt, the identity confusion, the feeling that everyone else knows what they’re doing while you’re making it up as you go.

Because the truth is, we all start there. We all start as imposters. We all feel inadequate before we feel capable.
And most of us don’t become entrepreneurs because it was a lifelong dream, we fall into it, and then have to figure it out from there. 

In this episode, we unpack:

• How to pivot when your passion isn’t what people are willing to pay for
• The emotional reality of building a brand from scratch (and why it’s normal to feel lost)
• How to know if entrepreneurship is actually for you
• The difference between passion projects and doing free work strategically
• How to build a reputation, a network, and momentum — especially in a city like LA
• Why identity clarity matters when you pivot (and why having “two identities” confuses the market)
• How to expand your brand into new markets and navigate (reverse) culture shock
• What integrity looks like when doing business with friends — and what to do when it gets messy

More than anything, this conversation is here to remind you of one thing:

You’re not crazy.
You’re not behind.
And you’re not alone in this.

Entrepreneurship isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about staying in the game long enough to learn who you are, what you don’t want, and what you’re willing to take ownership of and figure out. If you’re building, pivoting, or quietly questioning everything, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Zemo and His Journey

01:34 Zemo's Early Entrepreneurial Path

04:04 Challenges and Realizations in Entrepreneurship

08:12 Strategic Growth and Free Work

12:20 Navigating Market Demands and Pivots

17:06 Adapting to Industry Changes and Future Outlook

21:50 Balancing Multiple Careers

22:40 Navigating Identity Shifts

24:36 The Importance of Clear Positioning

27:08 Collaborative Culture in LA

29:33 Friendship and Business

37:32 Expanding Business Globally

38:13 Cultural Differences in Business

41:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Zemo on IG

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