Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Stump
Hi Jack, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got my start in photography through another passion of mine… cars. I bought a camera with the sole intent of taking it to car shows and capturing my favorite rides. As I gained more experience behind the camera this eventually led to many people reaching out to capture family events, prom photos, and more. Things kept growing until we got to where we are today. In 2016 I finally made the jump to go fully self employed with my amazing wife Darcy following in 2018. We have been blessed to continue to grow and opened our Bellbrook studio in 2021.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Entrepreneurship is never a consistently smooth road. There are constant changes and the measure of success can be found in your ability to adapt. A great example of this would be that our entire business model had to shift in 2020 along with the rest of the world. While we have always offered a wide variety of sessions, prior to 2020 the most stable portion of our income came from a handful of contracts with sports organizations. All of the organizations we held contracts for failed to survive the Covid-19 pandemic. We were forced to immediately pivot business strategy and rely on family photos and mini sessions to survive all amid the complete chaos of what was going on around the globe. 2020 might be the most dramatic and global example we will ever face, but so much of business management is recognizing change and taking action to put yourself in the best possible place to take on what may lie ahead.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am very proud of the success Stump Photography has seen. I am blessed to spend every day living my dream, working along side the greatest business partner I could ever ask for – my wife, Darcy Stump. We have grown our business to encompass a very successful family photo business, wedding photography business and we specialize in senior photos. Darcy has branched off to start her own photography business (Boudoir by Darcy) which has helped hundreds of local women gain confidence in their image. More recently, Darcy and I have expanded into branding, graphic design, printing and sign making with our latest business, Stump Customs. We make everything from business cards and vinyl banners to large scale signs for businesses. All of these various projects I previously mentioned are ways to keep the bills paid.
The true passion of ours lies in philanthropy. I’m extremely proud to be building a brand in the philanthropic world with our charitable organization, Driven to Make a Difference. We began and may still be most famous for our work with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Every year, Driven to Make a Difference collects and distributes tens of thousands of toys for children in need along with the coordination of the Toys for Tots leadership in Ohio, Kentucky and South Carolina. Darcy and I partner with a variety of different causes. Most recently we worked with our team of models to complete a beach cleanup in support of 4Ocean, which seeks to remove pollution from oceans and beaches throughout the world. I also oversee Driven to Make a Difference’s portfolio referred to as our “Entrepreneurial Investment Program” which makes small, forgivable, interest-free loans to aspiring entrepreneurs in developing parts of the world. We specialize in women and minority owned businesses in countries or regions where traditional access to funding may not be available. At the time of this interview, Driven to Make a Difference has made over 400 loans totaling $10,000+ and the businesses funded by our venture funds directly employs over 6,000 individuals around the world. We hope do to the community focused culture of many of the regions invested in, that these impacts are multiplied. This program by nature also has the ability to self manage and continue to grow in perpetuity. We hope that we have a positive impact on the world we all live in.
How do you define success?
My definition of success has changed numerous times throughout my life. Money and status might be amazing motivators. You need a reason to keep up the grind every day. I think at this phase in life, the metric I most identify with success is happiness. Nothing else means anything if at the end of the day you aren’t happy. Doing what you love every day and being surrounded by those who love you… that is success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stumpphotos.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/stumpphotos
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/stumpphotos
