#11 - 6 business lessons from La Marmotte: 177km, 5,500m and four mountains in the French Alps

Last Sunday I rode La Marmotte, one of the toughest Gran Fondos in Europe: 177 kilometers, 5,500 meters of climbing, and four legendary mountains (the Glandon, the Télégraphe, the Galibier and the Alpe d'Huez, finishing on its famous 21 hairpin bends). My goal wasn't to race. It was to finish. And somewhere between Bourg-d'Oisans and that last hairpin bend, I found six business lessons I have to share with you.In this episode I take you along on that climb, not as a cycling story, but as a mirror for what it actually takes to build a photography business. Why the road is long and quiet before anyone notices you. Why willpower, not motivation, gets you through the hardest stretch. Why slowing down is sometimes the only way to reach the top. Why you don't have to do this alone, and why you shouldn't let other people's opinions talk you out of your own path. And the lesson I almost forgot: why taking care of yourself is not optional, it's your survival strategy.If you've ever wanted to quit right before your breakthrough, this one is for you.What you'll learn in this episodeWhy the road to success is long and quiet, and why that exact stretch, with no applause, no likes, is what separates the ones who keep going from the ones who quitHow to use willpower as a mental muscle, with a concrete example of how Kaat talked herself through the pain on the GalibierWhy "slower is faster," and how deliberately slowing down actually gets you to your goal faster than trying to do everything at onceWhy surrounding yourself with the right people (mentors, community, experts) beats reinventing the wheel on your ownHow to protect yourself from other people's opinions, fears and advice, and why there is no one-size-fits-all pathWhy rest and sleep aren't a luxury but your survival strategy as an entrepreneurMy mentoringReady for your own next climb? In my 1:1 mentorship, we map out exactly where you are now, where you want to go, and what you need to get there, so you don't have to figure it out alone. All info here. Questions or want to chat first? DM me on Instagram or send an email to [email protected] creativity, photographers simply need the right tools, whether that's a new lens or a camera you can rely on during a client shoot. The specialists at Camera Nu think along with you and give honest advice. Head over to cameranu.be and use code DDK10 for 10% off your next purchase.What's your La Marmotte? That climb where quitting would've been easier, but you kept going anyway. If this episode gave you something, share it with a photographer who might need it too, or leave a review, it helps this podcast reach more photographers worldwide.