Member Spotlight | Brianna Murray | Talus Prints
Please provide a summary of your business, who you serve and how you serve them
My husband and I are serial entrepreneurs at the moment. I started my business journey running a newborn photography studio and during lockdowns launched Talus Prints (a fine art photo lab). My husband also runs Canada West Maple and the Sugar Shack in Goods & Co. This past October we had the opportunity to purchase Emily’s Bread (previously Holsum Bakery) as it happened to come with the commercial space we were buying. So for better or worse, we took over the bread distribution business. Knowing that it was in need of some major work I hung up my camera and jumped on board to help with Emily’s Bread. Right now we distribute bread throughout Northwestern Ontario and we are the only bread provider left in a few of the smaller communities. Our next focus is to start distributing local food products. We are really excited to help small businesses grow their sales throughout the region this year, especially those in Elleiance!
What were key elements of your personal and professional journey that lead you to where you are today?
Photography was my stepping stone into the business world. When I photographed a newborn for a friend I was hooked and decided to make the art of newborn photography my craft. It taught me invaluable skills in photography, marketing, website design, and Photoshop. In 2020 I became a mom and had to learn how to navigate and operate a business during lockdowns (photography studios had similar restrictions as hairdressers). If 2020 & 2021 taught me anything it was how to be flexible and how to pivot. So somehow that new flexibility brought me from a photography career into a distribution career.
What motivates you the most to keep going?
I am pretty competitive and some might describe me as a bit of an overachiever. I think that makes up a lot of my drive to keep going, it’s that entrepreneurial spirit combined with being a daydreamer. My three-year-old daughter is my reason for keeping going but also my reminder to slow down. It took me a couple of years to become okay with the fact that my business didn’t feel as successful as pre-motherhood (some of that is attributed to a short mat leave and around 9 months of lockdowns). Now that my daughter is in full-time daycare and becoming a little more independent I feel that spark returning to dive back into business but in hindsight, I do appreciate those 2.5 years I had to slow down and the extra time I got to spend with her.
What is one important lesson that entrepreneurship has taught you that has impacted you the most?
I’d have to say lifelong learning, part of this began when I was getting my teaching degree but since becoming an entrepreneur I truly believe that learning something new that interests you or improving a skill will never be a waste of time or money.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What do you still have left to accomplish?
I feel like this was a year of transition for me so it’s harder to see where I might be 10 years from now. I imagine us running a highly successful distribution business but as that continues to grow I’m not quite sure if I see myself stepping back and focusing on my photo lab and photography again. A part of me still wants to see my photo lab become successful; although I have shipped orders from the Maritimes to British Colombia I think there is a lot of potential to continue growing. So time will tell. Right now I’m doing both Talus Prints and Emily’s Bread and eventually, I will have to choose which path to take, I’m just waiting for that decision to become clearer.
Why did you join The Elleiance Network, why do you think it is important to have a support network and what do you love most about being a part of Elleiance?
I’ve been a part of a few virtual women’s entrepreneur groups/coaching but I was really excited to find out about Elleiance as a local option. I’m a bit of an introvert so I find the small group sizes perfect and I love the meaningful connections I’ve been able to make (that has by far been my favourite thing).
Notes from Erin
If you didn't pick up on it from her story, Brianna is a busy, talented ambitious entrepreneur and mother. However, you would never know how much she truly has going on based on her calm, cool and collected demeanour. I first met Brianna in 2017 right after I had my daughter and she did a beautiful newborn and family photo shoot for me. We re-connected 5 years later on business discussions as her and her husband continued to build their empire and grow their entrepreneurship journey. Through the many different businesses that Brianna has led or co-led, she is a wealth of knowledge and a huge supporter of local business. She is a huge asset to The Elleiance Network and anyone who is lucky enough to be in her network. I encourage you to follow her and reach out, I guarantee you will get something valuable out of the interaction!
