Boss Mama CEO Story: A Reel Love Story

Ann is living proof that you really can do it all. By day, she’s a pediatric dental hygienist, and by night, she’s owning and operating a photobooth company. Two completely different worlds coming together as she builds the business of her dreams.

And her professional life is only part of the picture. At home, she’s a mom, coaches volleyball, and keeps up with everything that comes with a busy family life. She’s setting an incredible example for other moms that it is possible. You can be a mom, work a 9-to-5, and still make time to pursue the dream that’s been on your heart.

Photobooths are such a fun way to elevate any event. They give guests an easy way to get involved, have a little fun, and leave with a tangible reminder of a special day. Ann is helping create those memories while building a brand that feels just as special as the experiences she creates.

I can’t wait for you to read her story! But first, head over to her socials and show her business a little love.

YOUR STORY

Tell us who you are!

My name is Ann Northern and I’m the owner of Reel Love Photobooth.

We love a good origin story, but first, give us your short + sweet intro!

We provide luxury photo booth experiences that bring people together and create lasting memories.

Every boss mama has a ‘day one.’ What was yours?

The idea to start a photo booth business came from a simple moment at my niece’s first birthday party in 2024. I was watching friends and family gather around a photo booth, laughing, posing, creating memories together and I realized how much joy a single experience could bring to an event.

It’s always been dream of mine to have my own business and as I watched guests of all ages having fun and capturing moments they would cherish long after the party ended, I thought, “This is something I could do.” I love people, I love celebrating life’s milestones, and I love being part of the moments that bring families and friends together.

What started as an idea quickly turned into a passion. I launched my business 3 months later. I am dedicated to creating fun, memorable experiences that allow guests to connect, celebrate, and leave with photos they’ll treasure for years to come. Every event is unique, and I’m grateful to play a small role in helping people capture some of life’s most meaningful moments.

Which came first—the business or the babies? Tell us how your family + business journeys intersected.

Definitely babies! I was already a wife and mom with an established career when I started Reel Love Photobooth. 

We know it’s a wild ride—tell us how you’ve balanced building your dream biz while raising your crew. The good, the tough, the real.

Building a business while raising a family has definitely been both challenging and rewarding. There have been times when it felt overwhelming trying to balance career as a dental hygienist, wife, mom, and business owner. Over time, I’ve become much better at managing my schedule and making the most of every available moment.

I always keep my laptop with me, which allows me to work wherever I am. During my lunch breaks, while waiting at my children’s practices, or anytime I find a few free minutes in my day. I’ve learned that preparation is everything.

This past spring, I was also coaching my daughter’s volleyball team, which added another layer to an already busy schedule. Between weekday practices, Saturday games, and photo booth events, there were weekends when I would leave the volleyball court and head straight to an event. Because of that, I had to make sure everything for my photo booth events was tested, packed, and ready days in advance. Many late evenings were spent preparing after my kids went to bed, and I often used my lunch breaks at work to finalize details.

While it hasn’t always been easy, the experience has taught me the importance of time management, flexibility, and perseverance. It’s shown me that with enough preparation and determination, it’s possible to pursue your goals while still being present for the people who matter most.

What’s one obstacle you’ve overcome?

Learning how to build a business from ground up while balancing a career and family. And fixing a printing jam quickly without panicking! 

YOUR BUSINESS

Tell us your superpower—what’s your product, service, or special offering?

Photo Booth services.

By day, I’m a pediatric dental hygienist, and by night and on weekends, I create photo booth experiences. Both jobs are all about making people smile!

What’s the magic that sets you apart?

The level of care and dedication I bring to every event. I genuinely treat each celebration as if it were my own, paying close attention to every detail to ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

I pride myself on being reliable, responsive, and easy to work with throughout the planning process. Beyond providing a photo booth, my goal is to create an experience that guests enjoy and remember. From clear communication and personalized designs to beautiful, high-quality photos. I am committed to helping my clients feel confident that their event is in good hands.

Spill the tea — any big milestones, press shoutouts, or launches on the horizon? 

I’m excited to continue learning more about AI-powered photo booth experiences and how I can bring those unique offerings to my clients. I’m also working on custom trading cards inspired by my baseball loving son and the amazing baseball community we’re part of. Keep an eye out for both of those launches in the future!

Give us a Day in the Life of being both Mom and CEO!

A typical weekday starts at 5:30 AM. I get ready for work and help my husband by preparing the kids’ lunches for the day before leaving the house at 6:20 AM for my 35-mile commute.

My workday as a dental hygienist begins at 7:30 AM.

During my lunch break from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, you’ll usually find me working on Reel Love Photobooth. Responding to emails, designing print templates, preparing for upcoming events, or checking in with clients.

My dental workday ends around 4:30 PM, followed by about an hour commute home.

Evenings are dedicated to family time, helping with homework, preparing dinner, driving kids to activities, and tackling the never-ending laundry and household tasks. If I’m waiting at a practice or activity, I often pull out my laptop and squeeze in more Reel Love work.

Around 8:30 PM, the kids start winding down for bed (unless my son has a late baseball practice/game).

Once the house quiets down, I usually spend another 30 minutes to an hour working on the business before calling it a night and getting ready to do it all again the next day.

ADVICE FOR MOMPRENEURS

What’s the single best piece of advice or favorite tool you’d share with other mamas building their businesses?

As moms, it’s easy to pour everything into our families and businesses, but it’s important to step back, recharge, and give yourself grace.

What’s been your biggest challenge juggling motherhood and running a business?

Knowing that I can’t be everywhere at once. As much as I try to plan ahead and be present, there are times when a photo booth event overlaps with one of my children’s activities, games, or special moments, and those are always difficult decisions.

What’s your approach to balancing business and family? We love the real, unfiltered stories!

My approach is to prepare as much as possible ahead of time and make the most of every free moment. That said, some days are pure controlled chaos!

Looking back, what’s something you wish you had known before starting your business?

I wish I had known how much of running a business happens behind the scenes. The events are the fun part, but marketing, bookkeeping, contracts, and client communication take up just as much time!

What tool, resource, or habit has completely changed the game for you?

Using every free moment wisely. I used to be a big procrastinator but I learned quickly it only leads to more stress when running a business.

What mindset shifts have helped you keep going during hard seasons?

Hard seasons are temporary. If I stay consistent, keep learning, and continue making adjustments along the way, things will eventually get easier and the results will follow.

What words of encouragement would you give a Mom tempted to give up on her business dream?

Don’t try to do it alone. Find a community of people, especially other business owners, who are willing to share their experiences, ideas, and encouragement. Take a breath, adjust when needed, and keep moving forward. Building a business is a journey, not a race.

One thing I’ve noticed again and again while putting these features together is that the women behind these businesses may have different stories, industries, and goals, but so many of them talk about the same thing: the people they have in their corner.

Building a business can be isolating. There are plenty of moments when you’re making decisions on your own, questioning whether you’re doing enough, or wondering if anyone else really understands what you’re trying to build.

That’s why finding your people matters.

You need women who celebrate the wins with you, encourage you through the hard seasons, share what they’ve learned, and understand the beautiful chaos of building a business while living a whole life outside of it.

You don’t have to build your business alone.

If you’re looking for that kind of connection, come hang out with us inside the Boss Mama CEO Community on Facebook. We’d love to have you in the group!

I’d love to feature more Boss Mamas like Ann. If you know someone who deserves the spotlight, please reach out and send me their info at ashley@bossmamaceo.com or via my contact page here. And hey, if that’s you, I love a little self-brag too! Send me your details so we can shine the spotlight on you as well.

Here’s to all the incredible Moms juggling a million things—keep shining bright, cheering each other on, and building the life you love!

Ashley

Friendly Note: I’m simply sharing my journey, experiences, and lessons learned as a Mom in business. This isn’t legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check with a qualified pro for guidance tailored to you.