Sometimes the best business (and life) lessons don’t come from books or courses — they come from real-life moments that stop you in your tracks. Recently, I had one of those moments, and I wanted to share it here because I think it’s something so many of us need the reminder about.

When We Dropped the Ball

A client reached out to us online for an estimate. This wasn’t for my photography business but for one of our other businesses. We told them we’d get back to them — and then life happened. Kids were sick, football season was in full swing, travel, busy schedules… and honestly, we dropped the ball. A week went by, and we never followed up.

Their response stung: “I guess you’re not interested. I’ll find someone else.”

And you know what? They weren’t wrong. We hadn’t gotten back to them. As a homeowner and consumer myself, I know how frustrating that feels when you don’t hear back from a business.

The Aggravation That Followed

I responded with an apology, but their reply back was sharp and snarky. To be honest, I spent hours stewing over it. I wanted to explain myself. I wanted to defend my business, to let them know this isn’t how we usually operate — that we care deeply about our clients and have built 12+ years of great service.

But they had blocked me from replying, and at first that frustrated me even more.

A Moment of Reflection

Looking back, I realized that being blocked from responding was actually a gift. It gave me space to stop, reflect, and recognize the truth in the situation: we did drop the ball. And while it’s not how we usually run our businesses, it did happen.

That reflection made me think about how often quick responses — whether in business, parenting, or everyday life — lead to more frustration. When we react immediately, we’re often defending instead of listening, stewing instead of reflecting.

The Bigger Takeaway

The lesson? Slow down before responding. Take a breath. Ask yourself:

• Am I reacting or responding?

• Am I truly hearing the other person’s perspective?

• Is this a chance to pause, reflect, and handle things differently?

If I had responded quickly in this situation, it likely would have been more back-and-forth frustration. But by taking the time to reflect, I realized there was truth in their words, and I had an opportunity to grow as a business owner.

Why This Matters

Life is busy. Business is busy. Mistakes happen. But how we handle them matters. Grace goes a long way — both the grace we extend to others and the grace we give ourselves when we fall short.

So the next time you feel the urge to fire off a quick response, take a step back. Sometimes the best answer comes after you’ve had time to think.

Running a business means your image is often the first impression. If you’re a business owner, let’s make sure your headshots and branding photos represent the professional you are today. Whether you need a fresh headshot, updated branding session, or a library of content for your marketing, I’d love to help you showcase your business with confidence.