IAM536- Photographer Specializes in Capturing Fitness Moments

Ludwig is a self-taught leader in photography and influencer management.

• CEO Hack: Book- The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
• CEO Nugget: Start now
• CEO Defined: One in control and not defined by success and autonomy

Website: https://www.ludwigaraujo.com/

FB: Ludwig Araujo Photography
Twitter: @ludwigaraujo
Instagram: Instagram.com/arawell_media
https://www.instagram.com/ludwigaraujo/

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Transcription

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Intro 0:02

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place, Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO podcast.

Gresham Harkless 0:29

Hello, hello. Hello, this is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Ludwig Araujo of Arawell Media. Ludwig, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Ludwig Araujo 0:39

Thank you, man. I appreciate you asking me to be on such a pleasure.

Gresham Harkless 0:44

Yeah, definitely. The pleasure is all mine. So I want to just read a little bit more about Ludwig so you hear about all the awesome things that he's doing. He's a self-taught leader in photography and influencer management and Arawell Media's founder, Ludwig are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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Ludwig Araujo 0:59

I am and I'm excited.

Gresham Harkless 1:01

Awesome. Let's do it. So I wanted to kick everything off and hear a little bit more about what I call your CEO story. What led you to start your business?

Ludwig Araujo 1:07

Yeah. So I actually started a while back. So I was in corporate America for about 15 to 17 years or so before and it was one of those things where like I was working to be a leader in corporate America. And we're trying to work our way up the ladder. And I was working for a wireless company, I was on the sales side.

And I realized through my journey, even though I thought I wanted to do that, other things started to happen in my life that made me think, Hey, listen, maybe there's a different purpose for me. And one of those things was, I picked up the camera when my daughter was born. She's, 11 years old now. So approximately 11 years old, I started picking up the camera and taking pictures of her.

And it kind of evolved into this love and this passion of just creating awesome images and, trying to understand how to get better and better and better. And, you know, I was living two lives, right? So like, I got to the point where one side, I'm a corporate guy, and I'm doing a nine to five thing and trying to try to please the executives and work in the corporate ladder. On the other side, I'm this creative, that's trying to create awesome images and learn and foster that side of myself.

And I knew that at some point, they would both come to a head, like, if I'm doing well with one thing, it's going to interfere with the other thing and that point came and I had to make a decision. You know, do I keep burning the candle at both ends? Or do I, you know, take the leap? And so I decided to make the leap and just, you know, focus on photography.

And then by this time, I had done so well, we just had a few that I had started to develop other relationships. And that's how I got into influential management. So that's kind of the long and short of it. And that's how I started the business and started from there.

Gresham Harkless 3:03

Yeah, no, I definitely appreciate that. And I appreciate you for breaking it down as well, too. Because I think a lot of times, and I don't know if this happened for you, but I know sometimes we have our passions and things that we do. And a lot of times that evolves over our lives.

So a lot of times, we say okay, this is what I want to be in 10 years, and then all of a sudden, you know, you have a daughter, you have a son or something happens. And then it changes your perspective. Not necessarily because of them, but just because maybe you take on something else because they're in your life. And that kind of sounds like what happens with your daughter?

Ludwig Araujo 3:34

Oh, absolutely. I always think of these. There are certain things in your life, like maybe crack that I call life-changing events, graduating college, getting married, having a kid, you know, God forbid, a death in the family like these life-changing events change you.

And when you grow up, you think, hey, I want to be a cop for most of my life. You know, I want to be this, I want to be that. And next, you know, you're 30 years old, and you're like, Man, I thought I wanted to be this but now this life-changing event changed my perspective on life.

Gresham Harkless 4:03

Right.

Ludwig Araujo 4:04

I want to do this. And so it's such an interesting thing. I'm 41 years old. And to your point, to think that I'm 41 I'd be changing my career and I wouldn't be at the top of this corporate ladder. If you would have told me that two years ago, four years ago.

Yeah, I'd be like, No way. No. But yeah, yeah. It's funny how things happen like that. And it's a testament to you know, this might be something that comes up with with different people when they're talking about making these life decisions, like whether or not I leave my job to go for the passion.

Yeah, yeah. If it's feasible to do it, absolutely take the leap because I'm 27,000 times happier now than I ever was doing the corporate job.

Gresham Harkless 4:54

Right. Yeah. And it's so interesting how those things and how life kind of evolves because a lot of times we don't know those things in the beginning. And a lot of times just because you know, you pick up a camera, or maybe you start, you know, painting something, and all of a sudden you want to start, you know, pursuing that passion.

And if you're able to kind of be in your best self in that, and I think a lot of times doors open, I find that doors open up when you are on that right path a lot of times too. So it just kind of builds from there.

So I know you touched on it a little bit, but I wanted to hear a little bit more about Arawell Media. Can you take us through exactly what you do? How you work with clients, and exactly what you know, influencer management is as well.

Ludwig Araujo 5:31

Yeah, that's a great question. So, having started with photography and so my specialty is in photography fitness. So I do a lot of fitness clients that are in excellent shape, and you're competing on stage, and they're doing magazine covers, and you work for supplement companies.

And I capture all those images, whether it's for the client or the supplement company or wherever. And through the years, I developed so many net contacts that it became like this natural evolution, where a brand would need a client and I'm supplying the client, right? I'm supplying that the fitness because I know so many, you know, I've connected with so many people so you know what influencer manager has become is, is a way for me to kind of to work, all the networks that I haven't put them together, whether it's a fitness clothing brand, that just emerged, and now they're looking for people to sign on and become clients of theirs or members of the team, or whether it's a supplement company that needs a face of their business.

I'm putting them together. You know, and obviously, the business side of that is, you know, negotiating contracts and scheduling posts and things of that nature. Right now, my number one client is going to be Paige Hathaway she's an influencer, she's a trainer, a life coach all these things in one, and she's been around for a long time. And we met on a photoshoot many, many years ago.

And so my primary role is to make sure that, you know, all of the business that's coming into her, I manage it, I make sure that the clients that brands that are reaching out to her are getting responded to, and offers that are coming onto the table, I'm responding to them and taking care of all that stuff.

So it's a big job. It's an important one. Brands need influencers now to get the word out right on social media because social media is so huge. So that's kind of my day-to-day now. And I do photography and influencer management.

Gresham Harkless 7:40

Nice. Well, I definitely appreciate that. And the way I kind of like it was envisioned and as you were saying, it's kind of like a matchmaker, because I think a lot of times, you know, those and those brands, you know, they're trying they have a, I guess an obviously a target market they're trying to connect with, but they also have like, things that they're saying for probably things that represent them and to have those people like, you know, like Paige who can have so many followers and able to make that connection for them.

And there are so many other people, that it makes perfect sense. Like, it's kind of like a dating coach, like a hitch or something like that.

Ludwig Araujo 8:09

A 100% 100%. And you think about it like if you were to start a business right now, you would be like, hey, I need to find this type of person that fits my brand to be the voice of my brand. Do you know anyone? Yeah, absolutely. I know, this person will be perfect for what you're trying to sell. And so yeah, it is a matchmaker type of situation.

Gresham Harkless 8:31

Nice. I definitely appreciate that. So now I wanted to ask you for what I call your secret sauce. And it could be for you personally, or for your business. But what do you feel kind of sets you apart and makes you unique?

Ludwig Araujo 8:41

Ah, that's a good question. It's funny because I don't think, you know, yeah, something like that was my core competency, right? So it's something that most people have nobody uses. And that's the ability to make people comfortable. I don't know, if it's something I developed, being that I got trained in a corporate environment where human resources is so important and just treating people the right way.

I don't know if it's because of that. Or because of my photography training. I shoot a lot of a lot of athletes and when you're shooting fitness, a lot of times you're dealing with clients that are you know, there weren't a sports bra and shorts, you know, and so, it was always it's always been important for me that people feel comfortable. When they shoot with me when they meet with me when we talk together.

I'm not the type of guy that's gonna you know, kick ass and take names and just say what I need to say and be disrespectful. I don't care because I need the result. Like that's not me. I'm the type of guy who's always going to make sure that there's a win-win for everybody. If we're in a conversation, we all have to win.

And so my secret sauce is how I treat people. How I connect with people and how I give people respect like, to me respect is huge I think it's kind of a lost art nowadays. I don't know if you feel that way in your experiences, but I think that's kind of one of the things that I feel sets me apart I drive for the connection and the people skills are multiple that way.

Gresham Harkless 10:18

Yes, I appreciate that. I appreciate that. That perspective. So I wanted to switch gears a little bit. And I wanted to ask you about what I call a CEO hack. So this could be like an app or book or habit that you have, but what's something that makes you more effective and efficient?

Ludwig Araujo 10:32

A book? Right? So that's a good one, I think, you know, one of my, I keep it on my desk at 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. I don't know if you've ever heard of this book, or the author John Maxwell, he's written a ton of books on leadership. And, and this is a throwback book, there's tons of books coming out that have come out recently.

Whether it's leadership or mentorship or, you know, motivation, inspiration, this is this book is probably about, I would say it's probably about 15-20 years old. And it's got like, these principles that are that stand within time, like, one of the things is the law of the lid, meaning there's a certain ceiling that I have, I don't know everything.

So understanding that I don't know what I don't know, where this you know, as you go through life, you encounter people that think they know it all. And I'm not like that like I'm the type of guy that's gonna seek out information.

If I don't know it, I'm not gonna just go out and tell, you know, walk out there and answer questions that don't have answers to the law of the lid is probably one of the biggest things I live my life by understanding, I don't know what I don't know. And always try to surround yourself with people that do.

Gresham Harkless 11:48

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, it's right in line with what you were saying about the secret sauce because I think that creates that comfort. After all, you have that ability to everybody wants to be heard, everybody wants to be appreciated, everybody wants to be valued. And when somebody takes the time to listen and see and pay attention to those things.

And that goes a long way. So that's old school as well, my friend. And so now I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. And that is a word of wisdom or a piece of advice. Or if you can happen to a time machine. What would you tell your younger business self?

Ludwig Araujo 12:17

Start now! So I feel like I've had this conversation over and over the last few weeks, as I run into different people and talk about, can we just get to talking and it's always about, I'm always talking to somebody that wants to do something.

But they put these mental blocks in front of themselves as to why they did not do it yet. Whether it's I want to go on a weight loss journey. But you know, I went to the New Year, or I want to start this business. But I don't think people care. I don't think people care about you know, if I put myself I was just talking to a girl a model yesterday, who wants to increase her social following and become more proactive.

And she's like, I just feel like people don't care about my message that much. And it's like, no, they do you have X amount of followers already. And all you need to do is amplify that and more people will listen.

Gresham Harkless 13:10

Appreciate, you know, all the awesome things you're doing. So now I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And we're hoping to have different quote-unquote CEOs on the show. So Ludwig, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Ludwig Araujo 13:21

CEO, for me, it means to me is something that controls your fate. Someone who is not defined so much by success, but by autonomy right to me, like, at the end of the day, if I'm able to feed my family and take care of my family the way I need to, then it doesn't matter. Anything else in terms of the actual dollars, right?

Like I just need to be able to take care of my family and take care of myself. And if I can do that I'm successful. And if I can do that, on my terms, it's even better.

Gresham Harkless 14:02

Yeah, absolutely. Well, I definitely appreciate that definition. Appreciate your time, even more, what I wanted to do is pass you the mic so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional you can let our readers and listeners know. And then of course, how best they can get ahold of you find out all the awesome things we're working on.

Ludwig Araujo 14:15

Well, right now you can get a hold of me by going to my website, ludwigaraujo.com. I'm on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and yeah, like right now I'm just growing my network with inflation management still shooting and creating content for brands.

So I'm looking forward to continuing that path and as far as you know, getting in touch with me if you guys want to get in touch with me That's it. That's how you do it. I'm sure you're gonna put the links and everything on there for me. But ya know, I appreciate the time and you taking the time to give me this platform just to share my story.

Gresham Harkless 14:54

Yeah, absolutely. Well, I always feel like I'm better because I get awesome guests to have on the show like yourself, so you're doing so many awesome things I'm just hoping to glean some of the information hopefully the listeners and readers are hoping to do the same as you said, we will have the links and information in the show notes as well so that everybody can follow up with you. But again, appreciate you and I hope you have a phenomenal day.

Outro 15:13

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO podcast powered by Blue 16 media tune in next time and visit us at Iam ceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE And leave us a five-star rating grab ceogear@www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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