Biography

            Stacey Friedlein has spent nearly thirty years in the photographic industry.  He opened his first studio at age sixteen as a junior in high school.  Since that time he operated and managed studios for fifteen years.  From 1992 to May of 2007 he worked as a consultant working with studios through Customation Inc. and H&H Color Lab to help improve their business through marketing, improving sales skills and creating sound financial practices.   

            Stacey has become a highly sought after teacher and consultant.  His high level of passion for teaching brings a tremendous amount of energy to his programs and consulting.  Using many of the same methods he teaches, With the mission statement of "Helping Your Reach the Potential of Your Passion" , Stacey has the desire and ability to assist business owners in maximizing their success. 

           In 2004 he opened In The Spirit Consulting and has expanded his consulting and teaching to small businesses throughout the country.  

            Stacey’s book, Marketing Into the Next Millennium is designed to help studios conceptualize, formulate and schedule their marketing promotions.  The manual contains five marketing modules.  Topics covered are Senior's, Weddings, Children, Families and a General module.  Each module gives you an outline for marketing to that target group and specific marketing ideas and suggestions. This hands-on reference manual is a must for portrait studio owners and those responsible for planning a studio’s promotions. 

Stacey has also produced the marketShare Marketing Calendar and Workbook.  It is designed to give small business a step-by-step plan of action for establishing a schedule of promotions and an easy to use layout of their marketing plan.  The workbook shows how to tie together the marketing and takes them step-by-step through the process of laying out a promotional calendar.  Stacey’s method of market planning has been proven in his studio and by many of the small buesinesses that have attended his seminars.  This is common sense marketing and is the foundation to Stacey’s seminars.  

Background

            He opened his first studio at age 16.  He owned and operated that portrait studio for eleven years in LeRoy, IL.  Later he worked for and managed high volume studios in Bloomington, IL for four years.  His camera room experience includes photographing nearly 1,500 seniors in a single year and several thousand families and children sessions annually. Since 1992 he has worked as a studio consultant for Customation Inc, Professional Photographers of America and most recently for H&H Color Lab.  Stacey’s other business interests include a partnership in xEvent.com.

            In addition to his own business interests, Stacey is currently the Executive Director of the LeRoy Business Development Group (BDG). In his position he oversees the activities of the organization.  Its focus is on business growth and retention.  The BDG also offers education and resources to the business community.

 Professional Affiliations

Professional Photographers of America- Member since1980.  He received his Photographic Craftsman Degree in 1999.  Accredited as an Approved Business Instructor in 1999.  Served on the Business Initiative Committee from 2000-2005, as chairman of the nominating committee and a number of Action Teams.  Currently contracted as a Studio Management Consultant.

Associated Professional Photographers of Illinois-Served on the board of directors from 1986-1989, board secretary 1989-1992, elected vice-president in 1992.  

Professional Photographers of Northern Illinois where he earned his service degree in 1993.  

Past Member of the American Society of Photographers, Southern Illinois Art League Chicagoland Professional Photographers Association Indiana Professional Photographers, Indianapolis Professional Photographers Guild and the Professional Photographers of Chicago.

Community Service

Community service has always been an important part of Stacey’s life.  He is an active member and has served on a number of boards and committees.  What follows is a list of those experiences.

Boy Scouts of America-Member since 1968.  Earned his Eagle Scout award in 1976.  Member of the Order of the Arrow since 1974.   Received Adult Leader Training Award in 1983.  Stacey has served in a variety of adult positions including assistant scoutmaster, finance chairman, Scoutmaster and currently serves as the troop committee chairman.

LeRoy Kiwanis Club-Member since 1985.  Served as chairman of various club committees.  Club president 1987-1988, 1999-2000.  Distinguished officer’s award.  Club bulletin editor, first place winner in district newsletter competition.  Kiwanian of the Year 2000.  Community Layperson of the Year 2006.

LeRoy Chamber of Commerce-Board of directors 1983-1988, president 1986.

LeRoy Recreation Commission-Charter member and secretary 1986-1988.  Responsible for the development and construction of a multi-use sports complex.

            LeRoy Civic Organization-Charter president 1993-1996, 1998-99.  This is an umbrella organization of not-for-profit organizations in the community.  It is responsible for organizing and running two community festivals annually.

Faith Lutheran Church-Served on church council since 1995, President 2006-2009, Financial Secretary 2003-2006.  Treasurer 2000-2003.  Serves on a number of church committees, chairman of the Fellowship committee.  Teaches Sunday school, serves as an assistant minister. 

            McLean County Fair-Served as a photography judge for the McLean County 4-H 1992-1998.

Personal

            Stacey resides in the town where he grew up.  He attended Illinois State University and has taken numerous photography courses through the Professional Photographers of America.

            Stacey has two children Kayla age 19 and Kyle 15.

List of Programs Stacey Has Presented