Meet Marian Diop | CEO of Butler & Badou Portraits

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marian Diop and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marian, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was working as a corporate business consultant in the insurance and financial services industry. My focus was small business, franchise owners. Most of these owners were men who had a lot of experience and I needed to bring something new to the table for them to trust in what I was saying. I had been pursuing photography as a hobby but I decided to launch it as a part-time business so I could test ideas and bring them to my business owners. Over the years I tested my way into a successful business. In 2020, my corporation went through a big restructuring and I took that opportunity to go full-time with my own business. In 2022, I relocated the business from Honolulu, HI to Dallas, TX.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We put big, legacy family portraits on the walls of our client’s homes.

I’ve photographed over a thousand families. That’s SO many faces in front of my camera. All shapes, sizes, colors, ethnicities, preferences, family dynamics, and belief systems. I’ve had people who love the camera and people who hate how they look. I’ve had screaming kids and biting dogs, angry husbands, and bratty teens. I’ve had so many amazing families and some people that I’ve had to permanently ban from my studio. With all those experiences, it all comes down to how families love each other. My business exists to translate the love in a family, the big, bold, beautiful love and put it in a tangible representation on the walls of their home. It’s not enough for that love to be just internal or sitting on a hard drive. It is a requirement for it to be on the wall. That’s what makes a house a home.

The funny thing about owning your own business is how much self work and growth I’ve had to do all along the way. When I first started I had grown up seeing my parents struggle to be successful in their own business. So I told myself I would NEVER be a business owner, corporate was the only way to go. Then when I started running my own business I was in the middle of an abusive marriage, with 3 kids, and an addicted spouse. I had so much resentment and defeat. I was alone and I had to be successful. I had to work on my mindset, get out of that situation, raise kids and help them heal. It was a lot but the more I worked on being at peace with myself and in a healthy place, the more I was able to manage all aspects of life. Along the way I also had to get into shape because I had let that go. Working on this gave me even more confidence and energy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am so new to Dallas. Its officially been 4 months! I’m a big outdoors person so it was important to me find lots of outdoor activities. Lakes: Ray Roberts and Texoma
Nature paths & trails: Post Oak Creek in Sherman, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve,
Night life: the Star, Deep Ellum (lol we had fun)
Destination Dallas, the best gym ever
Cowboys: Fort Worth Stockyards and the John Wayne Experience (so cool), Billy Bobs
Eat: Hutchinson BBQ, Kura Sushi Bar, Sothern Junction Dancehall

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many mentors along the way. I feel like the right person comes when you need it the most. Steve Sapporito who taught me about in-person photography sales, client service, and mindset.
Sue Bryce who taught me to love what I offer the world and how to transform my life.
Andy Frisella: who taught me to be bold in my beliefs, how to build an amazing company and culture, and about personal excellence.
Khali Quartey: for being the inspiration to getting my fitness on track. This completely changed my life.
Fern & Paul Mossman: my parents who have given unconditional love and support.
Jesus: his faithfulness and provision have saved me each step of the way. There are so many times when my life could have gone off the tracks and never come back but he is the God of redemption, salvation and abundance.

Website: https://www.butlerbadouportraits.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butlerbadouportraits/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariandiop/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/butlerbadouportraits/

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/butlerbadouportraits/

Image Credits
Me 🙂