From starting a business right before the pandemic to flourishing as an entrepreneur, Rebecca Downie shares her journey with us.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a digital networking platform with IRL benefits. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented folks! Looking for inspiration? Check out how Rebecca Downie, the founder of Rebecca Downie Photography, gets it done like a boss.
Tell us the story behind your business.
I started as a family photographer. I also ran a networking group in Sussex for women supporting families – coaches, therapists, birth workers, and educators. What stood out to me was the disconnect between how these women showed up in real life – brilliant, warm, skilled – and how they presented themselves online. Their work was powerful. Their presence in person was magnetic. But their visuals didn’t reflect that at all. I wanted to change that.
I began offering “day in the life” style shoots for them, capturing them in their element, doing what they do best. I didn’t realise at the time it had a name: brand photography. But the more I did it, the more it clicked.
I invested in a mentorship programme, upskilled quickly, and launched officially as a brand photographer in January 2020. Not the best timing in the world! But that pivot, that clarity of purpose – it was exactly what I needed.
Now, I specialise in personal brand photography for women in business. I help them show up as the experts and leaders they already are – visually aligned, confident, and real.
What are some milestones or achievements you’re proud of?
There are a few moments I’m proud of. One of the biggest was launching my personal branding photography business in the UK right before the pandemic hit. Within weeks, everything changed. But the work felt so aligned. I knew it was needed, so I kept going, adapting where I could, and I offered virtual shoots!
Two years later, I moved to Singapore. The pandemic was still a factor here, and I was starting over again in a new country. No existing network, no word of mouth – just a clear intention to serve women in business who wanted to be seen for who they are. Looking back, I’m proud of that resilience. I didn’t rush it. I let it build in a way that felt sustainable and true to me, building on the learnings of my first launch.
Reaching 50 five-star reviews has been another big milestone. Not just because of the number, but because of what those reviews represent. Behind each one is a woman who stepped into visibility, often with nerves or self-doubt, and left feeling confident, connected, and fully herself.
The best feedback I receive is about more than just the images. Clients tell me they’ve raised their prices, landed speaking gigs, attracted more aligned clients, or simply felt proud of how they showed up. I’ve also had women say the experience reconnected them to their work or sparked something they hadn’t felt in a while. That means everything.
I’m proud that I stayed true to my values throughout. I’ve built this business around realness, ease, and intention – no pressure to perform, no chasing trends. Just honest, empowering photography for women who are ready to lead with presence.
Share a setback that taught you a valuable lesson about running a business.
A real setback I’ve learned from, one that creeps in from time to time, is getting distracted by what others are doing.
Especially in the early stages, I spent far too much time looking sideways: comparing my pace, my style, my pricing, even my editing choices. I’d see what worked for other creatives and wonder if I needed to change direction to keep up. It chipped away at my confidence and made me second-guess things that were working for me.
The truth is, when you’re building a personal brand, there’s a lot of noise. It’s easy to mistake someone else’s alignment for your roadmap. Staying connected to my process, my pace, and my people is the most important thing. I’ve built this business slowly and intentionally, in a way that works for how I’m designed. Every time I come back to that, things move forward with ease and clarity.
That experience taught me to trust myself more and to create the kind of safe, non-competitive space I wish I’d had. It’s especially so for women doing visibility work; it’s important to know you don’t have to do it like everyone else. Your path gets to look different, and that’s a strength.
Describe a typical day in your life and what you love most about it.
No two days are the same, but most follow a rhythm. Shoot days are full-on and focused. I’m with the client, guiding the session and adapting as we go. It’s creative, intuitive, and energising. I usually need a nap post-shoot!
On non-shoot days, I’m editing, prepping guides, reviewing images, or planning content. I usually do creative work in the morning, admin in the evening, and fit in a walk or TV break to reset.
I’ve built my days to give me space to follow my energy. Some days are high output, while others are quieter. That balance keeps me grounded and creatively sharp.
What’s your favourite book, movie, or TV show that has influenced your entrepreneurial mindset?
Get Rich, Lucky Bitch changed how I think about success and self-worth. It helped me recognise how much I’d internalised the idea that I had to work hard, prove myself, or struggle to be “worthy” of success.
Denise’s approach to abundance – practical, honest, and unapologetically feminine – felt like permission to do things differently. It reframed money as energy, and receiving as something I didn’t have to justify. That shifted how I price my work, how I hold space for clients, and how I show up in my visibility.
It’s not about being lucky. It’s about clearing the blocks that stop you from seeing how much is already available to you. That mindset has become a quiet but powerful foundation in how I run my business.
Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Find your people. Building a business is so much easier and more meaningful when you’re surrounded by others who get it. Look for community, not competition. The women I’ve met through business have become collaborators, cheerleaders, and close friends. There’s room for all of us.
Don’t waste your energy comparing your path to someone else’s. You don’t have to grow fast, loud, or publicly to be successful. Stay connected to what feels good and true for you.
Trust your gut. You don’t need every answer upfront. So much of business is about following what feels aligned, even if it doesn’t make sense yet on paper. Your intuition is a strategy, so use it.
Top tip for maintaining a good work-life balance?
Decide it and do it! Also, create systems and automations in your business early on.
Favourite thing to do on weekends?
I’m a big fan of chilling at the Swiss Club or hosting a dinner party.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself that not many people know.
I was once shortlisted to stand for parliament in the UK. I moved to Australia instead.
Get in touch with Rebecca Downie online.
Want to join a community of entrepreneurs with weekly masterclasses, member networking, small-business mentoring and more? Check out Launchpad and join us!
