Daily Inspiration: Meet Oleta Bailey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Oleta Bailey.

Hi Oleta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
People often ask how I got started, but for me, Fancy Shots has always been about more than a photo booth. My passion has always been making people feel good about themselves and putting a smile on their faces. In many ways, my business is a ministry that just happens to be a business.

I once heard someone say, “Find something you would do for free and make that your business.” That perfectly describes how I feel about Fancy Shots. I genuinely love what I do and the impact it has on people’s lives.

My journey started when I attended a graduation party and saw a standalone photo booth. I was amazed by how personalized everything was and how much joy it brought to the guests. A few weeks later, I came across 360 video booth videos on social media and instantly fell in love with the concept.

At the time, I was a single mother and had some extra time on my hands when my children were with their father on weekends. I kept talking about the idea with family and friends. One of my closest friends finally said, “Why do you keep talking about it? Create a business plan and just do it.” Another friend encouraged me to apply for financing for the equipment and reminded me, “The worst they can tell you is no.”

So I took a leap of faith and applied. To my surprise, I was approved. I remember being completely shocked because I struggled with imposter syndrome. I questioned whether I was really capable of owning a business. I kept asking myself, “Why me?” Eventually, I realized the better question was, “Why not me?”

That approval was the moment my dream started becoming a reality. Since then, Fancy Shots has grown into more than I ever imagined. What started as an idea became an opportunity to create lasting memories, celebrate special moments, and bring joy to people from all walks of life. Every event reminds me why I started, and that’s to make people smile and feel special, one celebration at a time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely been fun, but I wouldn’t say it has been easy. Once I was approved for financing and all of the equipment arrived, I remember thinking, “Okay… now what?” I quickly realized that owning a business involved so much more than just having an idea. I had to learn how the equipment worked, choose software, understand expenses, and figure out how to create a great experience for my clients.

One thing that surprised me was how quickly people wanted to support my business. There was a demand that I wasn’t fully prepared for, and I found myself learning while actively serving customers. Another challenge was the physical side of the business. I remember having an event at a hotel where I had to transport all of my equipment to a balcony space. By the end of that night, I had purchased a wagon because I realized I needed to work smarter, not harder.

One of my most memorable moments was during my soft launch event. I thought I had everything ready, only to realize I didn’t know how to add music to the videos. I completely panicked. I reached out to another 360 photo booth owner and offered to pay them for help. They were incredibly kind and walked me through the process step by step. They even allowed me to shadow them at an event so I could see how everything worked in real time.

That experience taught me the importance of community and mentorship. I will never forget the kindness that was shown to me, and because of that, I always try to help others when they have questions about starting a business or entering the photo booth industry.

Every challenge has taught me something valuable. I truly believe that your gift will make room for you, and I’ve seen that happen throughout my journey. What started as a simple idea has continued to open doors, create connections, and allow me to bring joy to others while growing both personally and professionally.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My professional background is rooted in finance, leadership, and customer service. I have over 20 years of customer service experience and more than 12 years in the financial industry, including leadership and management roles. Throughout my career, I’ve always found fulfillment in helping people, solving problems, and creating positive experiences.

For more than a decade, I’ve also found myself helping others build and grow their businesses. Whether it was providing guidance, helping them organize their ideas, supporting their goals, or simply being a sounding board, I took pride in helping other people pursue their dreams. Looking back, it’s interesting because I spent years helping others believe in themselves before I fully believed in myself enough to become an entrepreneur. Today, I am proud to be building a business of my own.

In addition to my corporate career, I am the owner of Fancy Shots, a 360 photo booth business focused on creating memorable experiences and bringing joy to people during life’s special moments. I am also the founder of Birthday 2 Remember, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving and uplifting others through acts of kindness and community outreach.

What I am most proud of is my perseverance. I’ve been in business for over five years, and despite the challenges that come with entrepreneurship, I never gave up. As a mother, that means a lot to me because it allows my children to see something I didn’t always have growing up a living example that dreams are possible when you are willing to work for them. Building a business has taught me to dream bigger, remove limitations, and encourage my children to do the same.

What sets me apart is my genuine love for people. Whether I meet someone through banking, business, ministry, or community service, I believe every person deserves to be treated with kindness, respect, and dignity. My life experiences have taught me that you never know what someone may be going through, so I strive to leave every person better than I found them.

At the heart of everything I do is service. Fancy Shots may be a business, but for me it is also a ministry. I love creating moments that make people smile, feel celebrated, and remember how special they are. If there is one thing I hope people remember about me, it’s that I care deeply about people and that I used every opportunity I was given to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that surprises a lot of people is that I’m actually an introvert at heart. Because I work in customer service, finance, community service, and event entertainment, people often assume I’m naturally outgoing all the time. The truth is, I genuinely enjoy people, but I also enjoy my quiet space.

I’m also a huge fan of old-school anime. There’s something about the nostalgia of it that keeps me connected to my childhood and reminds me not to take life too seriously. It helps me stay creative, youthful, and inspired.

Ironically, that’s one of the things I love most about owning Fancy Shots. It allows me to be part of the excitement of an event while still existing in my own little world. When I’m behind the booth, it’s almost like I’m in my own creative bubble. Then someone steps onto the platform, and for a few moments, they enter that world with me. We laugh, celebrate, and create a memory together.

I’ve always joked that I’m a vibe all by myself, and I think that’s part of what draws people in. People gravitate toward authenticity, positive energy, and genuine connection. Whether I’m serving clients, volunteering in the community, or simply enjoying a conversation, my goal is always the same, to create a space where people feel comfortable, celebrated, and valued.

Pricing:

• 2 Hours of 360 Video Booth Service – Starting at $300
• 3 Hours of 360 Video Booth Service – Starting at $400
• 4 Hours of 360 Video Booth Service – Starting at $500
• Custom packages and corporate pricing are available based on event needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fancyshots360.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancyshots_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyshots360
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fancyshots