EPISODE · May 8, 2025 · 1H 2M
How a Bad Vacation Selfie and a Pawned Engagement Ring Took Flytographer from Side Hustle to Eight-Figures
from Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality · host Skift
In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Nicole Smith, the visionary founder of Flytographer — the world’s first global vacation photography platform. What started as a creative side hustle after a weekend in Paris with her best friend has grown into an eight-figure, profitable business that spans over 350 destinations and has helped over 100,000 travelers capture meaningful moments across the globe. Nicole shares how she went from working full-time at Microsoft with no entrepreneurial background to launching Flytographer in 2013 with 18 photographers in 18 cities. She has since grown the brand and the company, which has put more than $30 million into the pockets of local creatives worldwide. She opens up about trusting the whisper of an idea, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why your next best business idea might just be hiding in plain sight. Whether you’re a founder, creative, or travel enthusiast, Nicole’s story is full of heart, hustle, and takeaways that will inspire you to follow that spark — no matter your age or experience. Connect with Nicole: Company: Flytographer Website - Link @flytographer on all socials Personal: LinkedIn - Link Instagram: @flytographerfounder Thank you to this week's sponsors! Lodgify: https://www.lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Use code SUITE20 for 20% off all annual plans Flytographer Visit flytographer.com/SuiteSuccess for $25 off your first shoot! FeedCheck Visit FeedCheck.co/SuiteSuccess to book a demo! Links: Apple Podcasts - Link Spotify - Link Suite Success Website - Link Connect with Katie — Suite Success is part of the Hospitality.FM podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love our other podcasts directly on Hospitality.FM! Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you like this show, please leave us a review and share it on your network!
What this episode covers
In this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Nicole Smith, the visionary founder of Flytographer — the world’s first global vacation photography platform. What started as a creative side hustle after a weekend in Paris with her best friend has grown into an eight-figure, profitable business that spans over 350 destinations and has helped over 100,000 travelers capture meaningful moments across the globe. Nicole shares how she went from working full-time at Microsoft with no entrepreneurial background to launching Flytographer in 2013 with 18 photographers in 18 cities. She has since grown the brand and the company, which has put more than $30 million into the pockets of local creatives worldwide. She opens up about trusting the whisper of an idea, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why your next best business idea might just be hiding in plain sight. Whether you’re a founder, creative, or travel enthusiast, Nicole’s story is full of heart, hustle, and takeaways that will inspire you to follow that spark — no matter your age or experience. Connect with Nicole: Company: Flytographer Website - Link @flytographer on all socials Personal: LinkedIn - Link Instagram: @flytographerfounder Thank you to this week's sponsors! Lodgify: https://www.lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Use code SUITE20 for 20% off all annual plans Flytographer Visit flytographer.com/SuiteSuccess for $25 off your first shoot! FeedCheck Visit FeedCheck.co/SuiteSuccess to book a demo! Links: Apple Podcasts - Link Spotify - Link Suite Success Website - Link Connect with Katie — Suite Success is part of the Hospitality.FM podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love our other podcasts directly on Hospitality.FM! Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you like this show, please leave us a review and share it on your network!
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How a Bad Vacation Selfie and a Pawned Engagement Ring Took Flytographer from Side Hustle to Eight-Figures
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