EPISODE #163

Guest: Anjana Olson

Portrait Artist | Anj Portrait Studio
Ankeny, Iowa
anjportraitstudio.com

DATE: October 2, 2025

Running a portrait studio is hard. 

Doing it while raising kids, juggling marriage, building a business from scratch, and managing your own growth? 

That’s working like a mother. 

In this vulnerable, wisdom-packed conversation, Allison sits down with Iowa-based portrait artist and boy-mom powerhouse Anjana Olson, who has built a thriving fine art studio while staying fiercely true to her values, her family, and her creative voice.

They dive into what it means to work like a mother from 

• Setting boundaries and pricing for profit
• Evolving your business alongside your life
• Creating a studio experience that brings you joy 

And delivers real value to your clients. This isn’t about hustle. It’s about alignment, artistry, and making your business work for your life, not the other way around.

If you’re a parent, a creative, or just someone looking to build a business rooted in purpose and profitability, this episode will inspire you to own your worth and redefine success on your terms.

Episode Highlights:

• Make Your Business Work For You. Design your business around your life, not the other way around, stop sacrificing your family or sanity to “keep up.”
• Price Based on What You Value. Anjana shares how having children helped her reassess her time and raise her prices with confidence.
• Say No, So You Can Say Yes. Niche down and show only what you want to sell, this attracts the right clients and cuts painful “no’s” way down.
• Own the Silence in the Sale. When a client says, “That’s expensive,” Anjana shares why silence (not discounting!) is your strongest move.
• You’re Not Just a Photographer. You’re an expert in wall space, styling, design, and service, own that value and sell with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• Price for your life. Base your pricing on the time, energy, and lifestyle you want—not just industry norms.
• Fewer sessions, higher profits. You don’t need to shoot more—just charge appropriately for what you do.
• Confidence comes from clarity. Know what you value and build your pricing and offerings around it.
• Your work is worth it. When clients say, “That’s expensive,” let them sit with it—no discounts, no apologies.
• Joy is the goal. Build a business that supports your life, not one that steals from it.

About Anjana Olson: a fine art portrait artist and founder of Anj Portrait Studio in Iowa, and mom of three boys. She is known for her soulful, narrative-driven images and full-service boutique experience. With a background in charcoal illustration and a deep love for storytelling, she creates heirloom artwork that celebrates the beauty of family and the art of being seen. A mother of three and a master at balancing business and life, Anjana brings heart, intentionality, and artistry to every session. Her work is about more than just portraits, it’s about honoring legacy, valuing time, and creating art that truly matters.

What if the secret to a thriving portrait business isn’t doing more—but doing it your way? Tune in to hear how Anjana Olson built a life-giving, profitable studio by working like a mother and pricing like a pro.

 

Click here to listen!

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Links & Resources:
Download a Transcript
Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley
Sell or Be Sold by Grant Cardone
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
FREE -Ultimate Client Consultation Form
FREE -Frequently Asked Difficult Questions (FADQ’s)
FREE -Sales Sabotage Evaluation Tool
Allison Tyler Jones Education Courses

Do The ReWork
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Anjana Olson
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Memorable Quotes:

“Every time I had a baby, my prices went up 5 to 10%.” – Anjana Olson

“I want my kids to walk through the house and remember: You are art.” – Anjana Olson

“There’s a false binary that says you can either be a good mother or a successful business owner. It’s just not true.” – Allison Tyler Jones

“It’s not about convincing clients. It’s about believing in what you do so deeply, the price becomes a given.” – Anjana Olson

“The digital file is just a white t-shirt and jeans. The framed portrait is the red carpet moment.” – Anjana Olson

“You don’t have to have a reason for wanting a successful business. Wanting it is enough.” – Anjana Olson

“Silence is powerful. When they say, ‘That’s expensive,’ let them sit with it. You don’t need to defend.” – Anjana Olson

“Joy and contentment are the ultimate goals, not volume, not hustle.” – Anjana Olson