The Association of Personal Photo Organizers (APPO) turns 5 this summer and there is nothing like an anniversary to give you pause for reflection. I had no idea when I started my own business, calling myself a “personal photo organizer” to help people manage their photos, that I was creating a new profession. Yet that is what has happened! Just as the concept of hiring a personal trainer was unimaginable a few decades ago, the idea of hiring someone to manage your lifetime of photos was also inconceivable a few years ago. Then our ability to snap thousand of photos in a moment exploded and a new profession has emerged!
Over the coming weeks I will share my reflections on each milestone including the difficulties and rewards of starting a business! Here is my list of the top 5 milestone moments so far in APPO history.
- We now have over 550 APPO members on 6 of the 7 continents! Asia, Europe, Australia, North America, South America and Africa. AMAZING!
- Our first national conference was a great success resulting in an even better second conference, with our third conference scheduled for Orlando in April 2015.
- In 2011, we officially changed our name from Personal Photo Organizers to APPO and created our brand identity.
- Joellyn Gray the VP of Marketing at FujiFilm North America heard me speak at the Darien Public Library. She invited me to share my vision with their leadership team and sponsored me as a speaker at a number of conferences. Her endorsement helped fuel my confidence.
- My first client Maria insisted on paying me more than I was charging for a service she felt was invaluable. Her insistence was the beginning of my “light bulb moments”.
As part of our celebration this summer we are also offering a 10% membership discount to ALL new members and the chance to win one of over $7,000 worth of prizes donated by our Industry Partners.
Visit www.appo.org and our 5 Year Anniversary Promotion to learn more.
Pioneer of the Photo-Life Management Industry, Cathi Nelson is the founder of the Association of Personal Photo Organizers, an association that trains individuals who specialize in helping consumers and businesses rescue their irreplaceable film and digital photos, organizing them in a way that makes it simple to share their memories, lives and traditions. Since its inception, APPO has grown to include hundreds of members throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and United Kingdom.
Happy 5 Years! APPO is an amazing organization that has been invaluable to Pixologie. We are amazed at the work you do with members in helping them understand the value of what they do; providing training and resources on services and highlighting the potential market opportunities. Way to go on your anniversary!!!
APPO has been a great asset in my business. When I lost my job and was looking for what I might do, APPO gave me direction for starting my own business doing what I love and using my past experiences.
It is exciting to see how as my own business has grown, APPO has been there growing even faster. The training webinars are wonderful. The conferences have been fantastic. APPO has been well worth the investment for my business.
Thanks Cathi, and congratulations on five years APPO!
So happy that I’m a member of APPO; business potential is unlimited and the joy I’m able to bring to clients because their photos are brought to viewable order is priceless!
Congrats APPO on FIVE years! When I hear comments from clients like, “This is the best thing I’ve ever done.” I know that this industry is only going to continue to grow. I’m so glad I’m a part!
Unlimited potential and great people. That’s how I sum up our experience with APPO, its leaders and consultants. Picture Keeper has been proud to be a partner of APPO to help spread the word about the importance of backing up photos. We are fortunate to have APPO members as customers and advocates. Congrats on the past 5 years and we look forward to your continued growth!
– The Picture Keeper Team
Congrats APPO! You have been such a great addition to my life this past year! I heard about the organization when Creative Memories was phasing out of that business and really was passionate about helping people with their photos. This organization has broadened my horizons, given me new friends and associates to interact with after starting my own business. APPO gives us that extra push to make a difference in the world (even if our world is realtively small!). Thanks!
A big congrats to APPO on 5 years! Photodex is proud to be an industry partner and we wish you continued success ! – Amanda + the Photodex Team
I’m so proud of my wife Cathi for her hard work and vision that have resulted in founding the Association of Personal Photo Organizers – now celebrating its 5th anniversary. She gets the credit for helping me start my own business transferring video to digital. What a privilege it is to help clients preserve their precious memories. So…while you have the chance, pull out your old photos and movies, preserve them, tell your stories…and get a photo organizer to help!
Happy 5 Years, APPO! The training you provide is AMAZING! It has helped me so much more than I can say. While I am just starting out, I can see there is a real need for this service. I hope you continue to grow and celebrate many more anniversaries!
APPO came into my life at just the right time – and I love my work! I became a member and within a week I had my first client, who needed help making baby books for her twin daughters.
Even though I was new with APPO, I had 20 years experience as a Creative Memories Consultant, so I felt confident walking into her home to help her.
It is so rewarding to me to be able to offer this “invaluable service” (as Cathy mentions).
Thanks APPO, and congrats on 5 years!
Congratulations! Thank-You for your heart for the importance of peoples stories being witnessed and shared, your passion for leading this worthy and meaningful work, your smarts to continually see what needs to happen next and to know it’s best to pull together a tribe of like minded story and photo lovers and your all out courage courage to pioneer this new profession and to follow your heart! A big toast to all of you in front of and behind the scenes making it all happen and to all members of the APPO Community! Cheers!
Five years strong and growing! I couldn’t be proud of this business and I, and Jenn Lee Enterprises are HONORED to be a part of it! It’s a valuable asset to any business and the conferences are fantastic! Here’s to more happy years of working together!
As a new member, I have never felt more embraced, listened to and educated as I have belonging to the great world of APPO. My primary business was not to organize photos but to tell family stories. After attending the conference in Dallas in 2014, I realized that in order to get to the family stories, it was important to organize the photos, videos and home movies. With the help of other members, vendors that I met and the quality leadership of Cathi Nelson — I have been able to find my client niche and focus on my business path. Joining this organization means I never have to feel like an island — there is always someone available for guidance and positive feedback when I need it.
Happy 5th Anniversary APPO! Cathy and Lisa, your vision and dedication have been a blessing to all members. The support and sharing of knowledge of all the members has been a huge help in developing my business.
Congratulations APPO! Cathi, your pioneering spirit, business savvy and passion for people’s stories have fostered a whole new small business concept. Kudos to you and Lisa on bringing us all to this level!
I am a proud to be an APPO member.