Baby, Bump, & Business

Is it ever too late to pivot your career?

Kea Dupree Alfred, a commercial photographer and mother of two, joins host Bee to share her powerful journey of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Kea opens up about leaving a traditional job to pursue freelance photography, navigating pregnancy while running a business, and learning how to redefine success as both a creative and a mother. They also discuss the realities many women face but rarely talk about — including postpartum depression, physical changes after childbirth, and the importance of strong support systems.

Kea shares honest advice for creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, and mothers trying to balance ambition, family, and self-care. If you’re navigating a career change, motherhood, or building a business while life is evolving, this conversation will remind you that pivoting isn’t failure — it’s growth.

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It’s Okay to Not Feel Naturally Maternal: Motherhood, Burnout, and Building a Creative Business – Baby, Bump, & Business

Being a creative mom and an entrepreneur can feel like two full-time identities colliding at once. Photographer Jaimy Ellis shares the raw truth about building a business, becoming a mother, and learning how to stop apologizing for not having the "perfect" maternal experience. For moms growing a brand while raising kids, this conversation gets honest fast. Jaimy opens up about the pressure to be everything at once, the emotional whiplash of early motherhood, and the moment she realized her business could not keep outranking her family. Her story is proof that you can love your work deeply and still need to rebuild your life around what actually matters. We break down how Jaimy's path started in Iowa's 4-H community, where public speaking, creativity, and confidence shaped her early love of photography. She shares how she went from photographing everything under the sun to building a portrait business centered on high school seniors, why burnout pushed her to change course, and how she learned to work with her strengths instead of fighting them. You'll discover: – How 4-H helped turn a farm kid into a confident photographer and teacher – Why Jaimy's early brick-and-mortar studio burned her out fast – What it looked like to navigate pregnancy, a breach baby, a difficult C-section, and postpartum guilt – How she rebuilt her business with strict boundaries, childcare, and early-morning work sessions – Why ADHD and a fast-moving brain can be a superpower for creative entrepreneurs – How she handled financial instability, pandemic disruption, and the pressure to keep everything afloat Jaimy also talks candidly about income, identity, and the myth that moms must naturally be nurturers to be good mothers. If you've ever felt guilty for needing structure, space, or a minute to breathe while building something of your own, this episode will make you feel seen. Essential listening for creative moms, photographers, and entrepreneurs who are trying to grow a business without losing themselves in the process.

1. It’s Okay to Not Feel Naturally Maternal: Motherhood, Burnout, and Building a Creative Business 42:12
2. What Infertility, Miscarriage, and Burnout Taught Me About Slowing Down 39:24
3. Survived Pregnancy Loss, Postpartum Depression & Built a Thriving Business 41:25
4. The Hidden Cost of Business 41:04
5. Unexpected Disruption That Changed My Business and Motherhood Forever 41:29

Key Takeaways

• Transitioning from a 9-5 job to freelancing
• Running a business during pregnancy
• Postpartum depression and mental health
• Physical and emotional changes of motherhood
• Why redefining success matters
• Advice for creative entrepreneurs and working moms

Guest Bio

Kea Dupree is a commercial, corporate and branding photographer with over two decades of experience capturing bold, polished visuals for major brands. She’s also a mom of two and a creative entrepreneur learning to redefine success while raising a family. Through her work and her story, Kea empowers women to show up confidently—whether in business, motherhood, or both. She’s currently expanding into speaking and mentoring, sharing the lessons behind the lens and beyond it.

Resources

• Instagram
• Website

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