The One Decision That Changed My Business Forever | The Laibel Schwartz StoryHow a guy shooting bar mitzvahs and weddings turned his camera into a full-scale corporate media powerhouse?In this episode of the What It Takes podcast, we sit down with Laibel Schwartz, the creative force behind the renowned photography and video company, Laibel.Laibel opens up about his journey from late-night wedding shoots to producing high-end corporate content for major brands. He shares the real ups and downs of entrepreneurship from surviving the rollercoaster economy to learning how to work with his wife as a true partner in life and business.You’ll hear how his unconventional “first three free” strategy made his headshots go viral on LinkedIn, how he found a mentor who completely changed his trajectory, and why success, in the end, isn’t about fame or money, it’s about taking care of your family, your team, and your clients.💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:◼️ The “Economic Ferris Wheel”, why some businesses rise while others fall◼️ How finding the right mentor can completely change your life◼️ The pivotal shift from wedding photography to the corporate world◼️ The real talk on working with your spouse (and making it work)◼️ The free headshot strategy that built a viral brand on LinkedIn◼️ The secret to scaling a creative business and teaching your process◼️ How to identify your true strengths and double down on them◼️ Why breaking the rules can sometimes be your biggest advantage◼️ The challenge of letting go and hiring someone to run the business◼️ What to tell yourself when the future feels uncertain and stressful⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Meet Laibel Schwartz: The Master Storyteller1:47 The Economic Ferris Wheel: Who’s Up and Who’s Down4:49 The Secret Weapon: Finding a Mentor Like David Wanunu5:48 From Weddings to Corporate - The Pivotal Shift9:58 The Ultimate Test: Working With Your Spouse15:07 The “Aha” Moment — Discovering the Power of Headshots 23:51 The “First Three Free” Rule That Built an Empire 28:01 Scaling a Creative Beast — From Laibel to Everyone Needs a Video 33:58 The Industry That Fuels His Passion: Healthcare Heroes 37:02 The #1 Underrated Skill for Creatives 43:48 Creating Your Own Game — Why Laibel Doesn’t Follow the Rules 51:05 The Final Challenge — Letting Go to Grow 59:15 The Ultimate Reassurance — A Message to His Younger Self🔗 Connect with Laibel SchwartzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laibelschwartzphotography/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laibelschwartz/Website: https://laibel.com/🔗 Connect with Tuli KrausX (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/