From Banking to Brand Photography & Copywriting. This is My Entrepreneurship Origin Story
How I Went From Credit Union Employee to Running My Own Marketing Business in 3 Years
You know that moment when you're sitting in the dark at 2 AM, nursing a baby and suddenly your entire future clicks into place? That was my first step toward building Evie Tavares Branding. And honestly, I had no business doing any of it.
No university education and no formal training. Just a desperate desire for freedom and a willingness to figure it out.
If you've ever wondered whether you could actually quit your job and build something of your own, this story is for you.
The Banking Life I Knew I Had to Leave
I spent 10 years in banking, first at Bank of Montreal, then at a credit union. It was stable and it was fine. But after having my first daughter in November 2019 (right before the world turned upside down), something changed.
When my maternity leave ended, I went back to work. At first, it felt good to be around adults again after battling postpartum OCD and anxiety through a pandemic. But by the time I got pregnant with my second daughter, I knew deep down that working in corporate wasn't what I wanted for the rest of my working life.
I starting thinking about missing out on:
Play dates with my mom friends
Park days with my kids
The flexibility to just be there when my kids needed me
Every time I had to call in because I couldn't find a babysitter, every field trip permission slip I couldn't sign without checking with my boss reinforced that I was building someone else's dream, not my own.
The 2 AM Epiphany That Changed Everything
By October 2022, I was on my second maternity leave (18 months this time - thank you, Canada). And during one of those middle-of-the-night nursing sessions, I had a thought that wouldn't let go:
"People have successful photography businesses. Why couldn't I be one of those people?"
I'd been dabbling in family photography for years, mostly shooting friends and family for free or cheap through my hobby Instagram account, Teacup and Saucer. But I'd never thought of it as a real business.
Until that moment.
My husband was supportive but practical: "Build it first and if it works, we'll talk about you leaving."
Totally fair. My income helped support our household so I couldn't just walk away without a plan.
The Scrappy Beginnings: Podcasts, Free Courses & 5 Test Clients
Here's where the real work and scrappiness began.
While feeding my baby in the dark, I'd pop in my AirPods and listen to business and marketing podcasts. I looked for everything I could find about:
How to start a photography business
Marketing strategies
Building systems and client experiences
Then I discovered brand photography and it was like someone turned on a light. A photographer from British Columbia was interviewed on a podcast, talking about how she photographed businesses, created entire brand experiences and built deep relationships with her clients.
That was it. That's what I wanted to do.
My Controversial First Move
I posted on Instagram and Facebook offering free brand photography sessions to 5 businesses in exchange for honest feedback on my process.
Some people might cringe at working for free, but here's what I learned from those sessions:
Posing people for brand photography is completely different from family photography and that was a skill I needed practice
Planning sessions with mood boards and questionnaires produced way better results than just winging it
Official contracts and systems from day one set the tone for a professional business
By the time I went back to my part-time job in June 2023, I had my systems dialed in. I was ready to run a business alongside my 9-to-5 and motherhood.
(Yes, I was burning the candle at both ends but I loved every minute of it.)
THEN CAME COPYWRITING
Then I discovered something else: copywriting.
I'd always been writing stories growing up and I loved words. But I had no idea you could get paid to write marketing copy - to craft the words that sell, persuade and connect with people.
The more I learned about copywriting psychology, buyer journeys and strategic messaging, the more obsessed I became.
But the thing was (and still is) I didn't want to choose between photography and copywriting. I tried to niche down, to be "one thing." But what I realized is that I was already offering one thing:
Helping businesses show up with visibility, confidence and being themselves - whether that's through photos or words.
Both services work toward the same goal: helping you feel like you in your business.
The Day I Quit My Job (And Never Looked Back)
By spring 2024, I hit a wall.
I couldn't take on another client call and I couldn't book another shoot. I was maxed out on time while still working part-time.
I sat down with my husband, showed him the numbers and said: "I can't grow this any further unless I quit."
In April 2024, I left the credit union.
And here's what I gained when that happened:
More time to build something I’m obsessed with
Opportunities to work with clients and businesses I never even dreamed I could work with
A community that has taken my business from lonely side-hustle to actual successful and growing thing
Not to mention:
I drop my daughter off at school every morning
I pick her up every afternoon
I go on her field trips without asking permission
We're planning a trip to Portugal, and I don't need to check with my boss (because I am my boss)
I'm not going to sugarcoat it though,entrepreneurship has ups and downs. But I've never once thought about going back.
What I've Learned in 3 Years of Business
It's wild to think it's been 3 years total in business and 1.5 years of working for myself full-time.
Here's the best advice I've picked up along the way:
1. "Act it till you are it" (not "fake it till you make it")
I used to think I was faking confidence when taking on bigger projects. But someone at an event reframed it: you're not faking, you're stepping into who you need to become. And then you become that person.
2. Don't be afraid to work hard
Everyone talks about "seamless businesses" and "passive income." But the truth is building something real requires rolling up your sleeves. If you're not willing to do the hard work, it probably won't last.
3. You're doing it right even when it doesn't look like everyone else
I spent so much time comparing my journey to others online. But doing things my way is what made my business work. Your "different" is your competitive advantage.
Why I Started A Podcast
After 3 years of learning and figuring this out, I'm finally ready to share what I've learned.
I've guested on podcasts throughout 2025, and every time I finished recording, I thought: "I love this. I want to do more of this."
So here we are.
The Unfiltered Tea with Evie is my space to share:
Real stories from my business journey
Anti-sleaze marketing strategies that actually work
Copywriting, branding and personal brand strategy
What it's really like balancing business, kids and real life
No scripts. We’re talking unfiltered conversations.
Because at the end of the day, the more you show up as yourself, the more you'll stand out. Especially in 2026, the year of personal brands.
Ready to Hear the Full Story?
This blog just scratches the surface of my journey from banking to brand photography and copywriting. If you'd rather listen than read, head over to The Unfiltered Tea with Evie podcast and press play on Episode 1.
You'll get the full, unfiltered story complete with my real-time thoughts and the rapid-fire questions I'll be asking every guest (yes, I put myself through them first).
Listen to Episode 1: My Origin Story
And if something in this episode sparked an idea or made you think "YES, that's exactly what I needed to hear," share it with someone who needs the reminder that they can do this too.
Let's connect:
Instagram: @evietavaresbranding (my DM’s are always open)
Learn more about my services: Explore the rest of the site
Thanks for being here. I can't wait to continue this journey with you.
— Evie