Baby, Bump, & Business

Introduction

In this episode of Baby, Bump, and Business, host Bee Trofort-Wilson speaks with Audrey Woulard, a Chicago-based portrait photographer and Nikon USA ambassador. They discuss Audrey’s journey from a corporate job to entrepreneurship during motherhood, the challenges of balancing work and family, and the importance of setting boundaries. Audrey shares her insights on creating a structured schedule, the significance of family time, and how to navigate opportunities without sacrificing personal commitments. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-worth and the value of preserving memories in family life.

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Why Oz Almost Quit — The Business Lessons Behind Motherhood – Baby, Bump, & Business

Pregnancy can change your body, your business, and your sense of self all at once. Beauty expert Oz gets raw about building a career from the ground up, surviving a devastating pregnancy loss, and learning how motherhood forced her to redefine success on her own terms. Host Bee Trofort Wilson—photographer, educator, and first-time mom behind Baby Bump and Business—creates a deeply honest conversation for creative moms who are trying to keep their brand alive while their life is changing in real time. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when your hands, your heart, and your identity feel different, this episode will hit home. Oz shares how she went from Detroit to Atlanta with a suitcase and a dream, built Makeup by Oz through hustle and strategy, and turned early client work into a full beauty business with pricing, booking, deposits, and structure. She also breaks down the real work behind growing a teaching brand, including launching classes, building a curriculum, and learning why expertise matters more than hype. You’ll discover: – How Oz built her client base with $5 brow arches and a simple business card strategy – Why competitor analysis and online booking changed the way she ran her business – What it really takes to create and teach beauty education at scale – How she navigated a viral gender reveal, pregnancy loss, and the emotional toll of grief – Why pregnancy carpal tunnel and postpartum brain fog pushed her into a full identity shift This conversation also goes beyond entrepreneurship into the parts people don’t say out loud—the strain pregnancy can place on relationships, the pressure Black women carry to stay strong, and the permission it takes to slow down, rest, and be human. Oz speaks candidly about grief, healing, and what it means to rebuild after the version of you that once held everything together has to die. If you’re a creative mom, a beauty professional, or an entrepreneur trying to balance ambition with motherhood, this episode offers both wisdom and real comfort. It’s part business strategy, part healing conversation, and fully for anyone who needs to hear that grace is still a growth strategy. Guest credibility: Oz is one of Atlanta’s premier makeup artists, known for clean natural makeup, lash extensions, microblading, and beauty education. Her work has appeared on Lifetime, Bravo, OWN, BET, and VH1, and she has trained hundreds of students through her beauty classes.

1. Why Oz Almost Quit — The Business Lessons Behind Motherhood 46:26
2. It’s Okay to Not Feel Naturally Maternal: Motherhood, Burnout, and Building a Creative Business 42:12
3. What Infertility, Miscarriage, and Burnout Taught Me About Slowing Down 39:24
4. Survived Pregnancy Loss, Postpartum Depression & Built a Thriving Business 41:25
5. The Hidden Cost of Business 41:04

Key Takeaways

• Audrey transitioned from a corporate job to entrepreneurship after feeling overwhelmed as a working mom.
• She emphasizes the importance of separating emotions from business decisions.
• Setting strict boundaries is crucial for maintaining work-life balance.
• Family time should always take precedence over business opportunities.
• Moms should not feel guilty about prioritizing family over work.
• The more accessible you are, the less desirable you become in business.
• Preserving family memories is essential, especially during pregnancy and early motherhood.
• Boundaries should be established without the need for excessive explanation.

Guest Bio

Chicago-based photographer Audrey Woulard has been a driving force in the portrait world for over 20 years, gaining international recognition for her work with teens and families. Widely known for her unique style, Audrey regularly draws standing-room-only crowds at major industry events like Imaging and WPPI, where photographers are eager to learn her techniques. As a Nikon USA Ambassador, Audrey is among the elite in her field. She’s also frequently commissioned for high-profile commercial work, with her images featured in campaigns for brands like Pottery Barn and IAM’s pet food. Her work has been published in People Magazine, InStyle, Better Homes and Gardens, and on the covers of Professional Photographer Magazine and Senior Style Guide.Audrey shares her knowledge through her renowned Light Exposed Workshops, where photographers from around the world learn her approach to lighting and portraiture. In 2021, she received the Vanguard Award from Professional Photographers of America, recognizing her lasting impact on the industry.

Resources

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• Website
• Workshops

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